Don't bet that we are experienced. The group leaders are very competent but
the rest of the group varies. I am in my second year of kayaking and have
most of my experience on the rivers around Pittsburgh - the biggest waves I
see are from boats. The Erie trip was my attempt to gain a little experience
on some bigger water. I am trying to get my skills up so that I can make
some of those dream trips you mention. I think I am at the point where I
need my own boat so that I can get very good with one boat. I am looking to
get out on some ocean trips next year - I think the Outer Banks would make a
good trip or a dozen or 2 places from Maine on up. With very limited funds I
would be happy to get in one of these "big" trips next year. I also have
friends in Vermont and I might get some time on Lake Champlain if I play my
cards right --wife LIKES Vermont - doesn't kayak.

As for Lake Erie in PA, I think most of it takes place near Presque Isle.
This club trip is coming up and I think I may sign up for it to find out for
myself.

If I have violated some net rule here by posting this trip I'm sorry. Rest
assured that the club is a non-profit and the money is used for food,
camping fees, gas for the car to bring the boats, launch fees etc. I am not
a club member but I do sign-up for some of their trips as can anyone. They
can be contacted at the link from one of the previous notes in this thread.

FRIDAY EVENING AUGUST 20 to SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2004
Event meets: Arrive after 6:00 PM Friday or at 10:30 AM Saturday Ends: 4:00
PM Sunday
CHAUTAUQUA & LAKE ERIE WEEKEND Level (2): Beginne rs & up
Lake Chautauqua -Southwestern NY: Saturday we'll paddle on Lake Chautauqua
and visit the lake's historic Victorian
town. Relax among the gardens and waterfront pathways, see the historic 19
th century clocktower and quaint homes with
splendid porches and, of course, savor our traditional "moose tracks" ice
cream cones. Sunday, we'll paddle along the
south shore of Lake Erie under the alluvial cliffs, artifacts of the last
Ice Age. Car camping overnights are at one of our
favorite campgrounds-a bluff with a spectacular panorama, great sunsets, and
swimming on Lake Erie. Join us
Saturday, Sunday, or for the entire weekend. A 50% deposit is required on
this trip to secure your reservation.
$ 70 Members / $ 80 Non-Members if you need a kayak $ 45 Members / $ 55
Non -Members if you bring your own boat
Call about pricing & availability for children's boats Options: $ 5
breakfast per person per morning

--

John wrote in message ...
You guys are probably much more experienced than me. I've had my Storm
in three footers on the west side of Point Peelee in Ontario and done
some paddling in strong wind and waves in the Georgian Bay around
Kilarney, Ontario. The Storm served me well on those trips. What can
you tell me about the paddling in Lake Erie along the PA coast. I fish
the PA streams for Steelhead frequently and have thought of paddling
there. Has your group ever paddled the Sanguaney Fiord in Quebec. I'd
love to see the whale there sometime.

Kenneth McClelland wrote:
Thanks John, the group was a club out of Pittsburgh
http://www.outsideadventures.org/index.html . Check out their page. You
don't have to be a member and they have a good selection of well cared
for
boats - it was just the one I got for the weekend did not suit me well.
You
can also use your own boat.

About the Storm, the Lake was way high over the weekend and we did not
have
a group that wanted to try the run out to Kelly's island (That was the
plan). Instead we spent Saturday poking around the Vermilion canals and
then
went upriver till we ran out of water. On Sunday we went out from the
Campground launch in East Harbor State Park. We paddled out and looked
at
the lake. About 6-8ft I would guess. It was a good trip and I will do it
again next year, we might even make it to our destination ;- It was out
in
East Harbor that I got in the Storm. I have rarely taken so quickly to a
boat. I was able to carve turns with and without the rudder and it
responded
well to input from my knees. I was just wondering how big of waves have
you
tackled comfortably with this boat? The owner took it out past the
breakwater on Vermilion with one other paddler on Saturday and he stayed
in
the boat while the other guy went swimming. The guy in the water
re-entered
3-4 time and got dumped before he could skirt/pump out each time (pretty
big
water to me, other people may think otherwise). He gave up after he
broke
his paddle on the last re-entry and refused the spare from the guy in
the
Storm, opting instead for a tow into the beach.(missed the public beach
and
ended up on a private one down about a half mile. Met a really nice
homeowner that gave one of them a ride back to get the van/trailer.

BTW: anyone interested in the area. The East Harbor camp ground was
pretty
nice even though it was full-up and you have a nice boat launch into a
protected area right in the park. I did not get to walk through all of
the
campsites but there may be some on the water. They have tent and RV some
with at least electric, I'm not sure about water.