Saturday 31 March 2012

Hi Folks

Main Duck Island
Main Duck Island Lighthouse, Yes !!!! this will be this summers big challenge.  Main Duck Island Lighthouse to Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, Prince Edward County is 17.8 kms shore to shore.  My original plan was to do this trip with 2 teams of three paddlers, however receiving great information from a fellow boaters/geocachers I had to reconsider this plan.  ( Thanks to Dave ) I had reviewed weather patterns and stat's, taken into consideration all the safety requirements and paddlers abilities, however I did not take into consideration the question of how to moblize six people "volunteers & friends " plus a safety boat quickly enough catch the good/correct weather, this would be near impossible.  Plus, it would not be fair to ask them to sit around waiting for that correct day.  I would feel pushed to make it happen for them and as we all know that is when mistakes happen.   Therefore this trip ( Main Duck Island ) along with  (Pigeon Island ) and ( East Charity Shoal ) for safety sake, I will do solo.  So, Solo !!!! I'm good with that, been there done that and liked it.  OK, this is planned for an over night trip and we hope to return the next day weather and winds permitting. BUT.... if we start early enough and make the island in good time and weather stays kind, we may paddle home same day.........lots of if 's Huh !!  Like to keep options open.  I have paddle up to 65kms in one day before.......ok 10 years ago......Hummmmmmmmm  so your saying it likely will be an over night trip.....smiling
Waiting for winds and waves
to die down... paddle days ?
Start waypoint would be N 43 56 014 - L 076 51 648 hitting the Island at N 43 55 780 - L 076 38 221


This would be what you can expect heading to
Main Island Lighthouse 


Besides this trip, we will be doing many other day trips which will not require paddlers to be at an advanced level. So please feel free to join us for one or all. We would love to have like minded folks join us for any part of this summers lighthouse project.

When you hit the end of the day,
You set up in the best place possible
Hummmmm  another Island


Drop us a line if you wish to join us on the Main Duck Island trip.  Safety is the key here, we would expect kayakers who wish to do this trip to paddle a couple of smaller lighthouse day trips before hand.  So we learn each other strenghts, for team grouping.  

Head of the Key River.....Old Shipping Docks.











Favorite spot to paddle, Frontenac Park in the fall
Once again I wish to thank everyone who has e-mailed, really can't wait to get started. This will be too much fun!!!

WAWA Ontario, Natural Superior
Outfitters Beech,  Group Kayakers who
paddled the day with me. 













We have already got our first pledger/sponser James Sparks of SparksPainting. He has offered to give so much for each Lighthouse we paddle too...not sure what so much is yet, but every cent is good right. 

3 comments:

  1. Hi,

    I read your log entry for the main duck event...
    I thought your idea of paddling to main duck is quite adventurous...its been done by other advanced paddlers. The consideration of wind and weather holds true for all visitors to main duck, no matter the size of their vessel...as the many wrecks confirm. I was told by fellow boaters that a large sailboat was nearly wrecked there last summer when they ignored a foul weather warning. Personally, I only go when there is a very favourable weather window...which often means waiting for days or even weeks.

    The smaller the boat, the bigger the adventure!

    I visted your blog page as well. Very nice to see. Lots of lighthouses!

    You might want to ad my geocache.... ROCKY ROAD to your list of places to visit when in kingston.

    Also, although I understand you are experienced paddlers, you may be interested to know that you can rent a 30' sailboat from ahoy charters here in kingston. The fee for a day is $250 cdn. This might provide you with an alternate way to see some of the local lighthouses...some of which might be unattainable by kayak...like charity shoal and pigeon island.

    I would be eager to know when you are going to visit main duck...if possible, I would go too, by sailboat. It would be a pleasure meeting you.

    Thanks for sharing your story and your plans.
    If I can be of any assistance with local knowledge, I would be pleased to help in any way.

    Regards,

    Dave

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rob, Wilson has a Kayak - just one from Costco - not fancy ones like you guys have. He loves it and paddles around the lake at the cottage. Would that work, or does he need a better quality unit to safely go where you guys go? I think it has places for him to pack a lunch. Will you be doing any short closer to home Kayak Trips that James and I could get him up and over to you to and allow him join you on something? I think he would love some sort of a smallish trip, he doesn't have much of Kayak experience...but what he lacks in experience he makes up for in brute strength and willingness to give things a try. He loves the water our boy and is a good strong swimmer. P.S. the "boy" "hasn't come down any" over the winter either...my goodness that boy is getting stronger by the day... Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Margaret

    We would love to have Wilson be part of our Lighthouse adventures this coming summer. He is more than welcome to take part in one or more of our day trips. Wilson, your boat is great small lake boat, however we have a Kayak which would be better suited for this type of trip. Your more then welcome to use it and I'm sure you will take to it with ease. How cool is this we have another Kayaker in the family. As soon as we get back from our trip overseas, we touch base with you folks. Thanks for your interest, we are excited that Wilson is interested in taking part...This is what wished would happen,getting to spend time with folks we enjoy spending time with. He is a nice young man......Cheers Rob

    ReplyDelete