Paddle Day 9: Leaving Maine!

Leaving York Harbor

After all of my anticipation of a tough paddle into Portsmouth...

it was practically a cake walk.  Leaving York Harbor took a little extra time, as I was asked to speak to the sailing class at the Agamenticus Yacht Club.  I love the questions children ask, like "How do you pee?"

I only stayed one night with my great hosts in Cape Neddick, because I wanted to get into Portsmouth before the cold front moves through.  And of course I was still recalling the huge surf and wrecked boats of the last time I paddled this section of coast.   Here's the reality of paddling today up the mighty Piscataqua River...

Terrifying conditions on the Piscataqua!

Granted, it was a little more effort crossing the river with the current against me, but with the right ferry angle I used the current to zip across, and move from Maine to New Hampshire.  One state down, 13 to go, and then a couple more countries and I'll be done.

There was a group of Rotarians with flags and bouncing children to welcome me to New Castle Island.

Welcome committee on New Castle Island

Paddle Day: 9                                                    Date: July 22, 2014
Start: York, ME                                                 End: Portsmouth, NH
Distance: 8.42 miles                                           Total distance: 89.44
Max speed: 6.2 mph                                           Moving ave.: 2.9 mph
Kayak storage: Portsmouth Rotary Club            Hosts: Seacoast and Portsmouth Rotary Clubs