I did a 5+ mile paddle last week, launching from the Presque Isle Beach and heading out to and around Partridge Island, then back to Sunset Point on Presque Isle. Nothing too exciting except for the scenery. Waves were calm to two feet, wind was non-existent, and water temps were 35 degrees F.
On my way back I pulled into the Black Rocks area of Presque Isle on the East side of the island and some guy came running down to the water's edge with his camera, snapped a pic of me at the base of the cliffs, and then went back to his car. Never had that happen before.
When I went back to the beach there were several college kids getting ready to launch a picnic expedition with two kayaks, a yellow Coleman rubber raft, two girls in jeans and sweatshirts, and three guys in shorts and sweatshirts. I overheard them saying that they were going out to Middle Island, which is about halfway out to Partridge.
I felt a little overdressed when I pulled up in my 18 foot kayak, extra paddle, drysuit, neoprene gloves, and tuilik, but, hey, the water is still only 35 degrees F. If you go into that water without the proper gear, you will only have about 15 - 30 minutes before you're incapacitated and maybe an hour until you go to heaven. I dipped my head a few times doing sculling braces, and got an ice cream headache a couple of times. My wife and I drove by Presque Isle later and they were loading their kayaks onto their cars, so we were glad to see that they apparently made it back with no trouble.
The best part of the paddle was the inlet at Partridge Island, which goes in on West side of the island, turns 90 degrees, and comes out on the North side of the island. I paddled in there and was thinking that it would be a great place to swim in the summertime. Pics are below.
Heading into the inlet from the North side of Partridge Island:
Inside the inlet, looking North:
There's still snow. Look in the upper right of the crevice.
Black Rocks on Presque Isle
