First canoe trip of the year!

[John P]

Boat trips are not as easy these days, because the canoes are out in the country and I'm here in suburbia. But last Saturday was warm, and I had to go out to where the boats are, so a voyage became a possibility. I took the boat out to a place called Hubbard Pond, in southern New Hampshire, which I've posted about here before. It's actually rather difficult to get a picture during a nude canoe trip, as I can't get the camera far enough away in the boat, and it's quite a production to set the camera up in a tree and then hop in the boat and do some amusing antics while the camera clicks away.  So the only picture I have of myself is actually taken on land, and you'll have to take my word for it that the picture showing Mt Monadnock over the bow of the boat was actually made while I was naked!

The water was still pretty cold. I didn't have the fortitude to make myself swim.

[Jerryr]

Nice pictures of a beautiful area of New England.  I have fond memories of hiking and climbing Mt. Monadanock.  Have you every done any canoeing/kayaking on Tully Lake north of Athol?

[John P]

Oh yes, Jerry, I know Tully Lake. It's a favorite place with my wife, especially in the fall. In fact last year, because the state park campgrounds were all closed, we stayed a couple nights in late September at the campground on the lake.

Here's a map:
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/Recreation/TUL/TULParkMap2013.pdf

	I've been going to Tully Lake for a long time. This picture is from the year 2000, taken by my girlfriend at the time. It's on the stream up north of Long Pond, which we followed until it got so shallow we had to walk the boat along. She wouldn't dress appropriately for the job, though, even though I showed her how.
	The next two pictures are both scenes on the lake and river at the end of September,  when the leaves are starting to change color.
	Yes, we did go skinny-dippin'. No picture though.
	Lunch beside Long Pond. It was just warm enough for this to be comfortable! The boat and I are the same, but 21 years older than in the first picture. The hat is a few generations younger (in hat years).

[jbeegoode]

Great Gitchy Goomy looking place. I'm looking forward to Vermont.
Jbee

[jmf]

I bought a new kayak at the end of March, but I could only use it once on the lake of Monteynard...and then: confinement!

[nuduke]

That looks like a fine vessel, JMF
One imagines many kilometres can be attempted in such a kayak.  Is there room to store camping gear for an adventure?
What is the black circle behind the oarsman?  A second seat?

How much does such a boat cost, if I may be so bold as to enquire?
John

[jbeegoode]

The "black circle" is a sort of plug/lid. Inside you can store gear waterproof and secure. It also can provide a spot for air so it don't sink! There is also one up front. There are also straps on top to place luggage, which can be wrapped in a dry bag...Such a vessel is in my dreams sometimes. I stop in the REI store to drool on them an occasion. Something similar could cost $400 into thousands depending on the manufacturer, used or new, popular brand, or quality.

I have to justify expense and storage opposed to available water resources determining how much use I might get. So, in Arizona, I need a "deal."

I found a place that will rent them here in Tucson, so I'll figure that into my goal to do a nude two day trip down the Gila Box.
I just gave away my faltboot, because I was neglecting it. I may get a blow up kayak, one of these days. Great upper body workout. I also have a pair of naturist friends with four of them, but they aren't all "sit down in" instead of ,"sit on top."

There's just room for one passenger.

Yea, I'm sitting here, wiping my chin, to keep it off of the key board.  That is a dreamboat, with all the features that I would want...maybe a two seater for DF accompaniment.
Jbee

[jmf]

Is there room to store camping gear for an adventure?
What is the black circle behind the oarsman? Is there room to store camping gear for an adventure?
John

Well Jbee answered to all the questions;-)

How much does such a boat cost, if I may be so bold as to enquire?
John

I bought it 800€ ...but it was worth 1150. Its previous owner had bought it new, but had not been able to use it, having fallen ill and then passed away.

[John P]

JBG, I'm not sure that Jacques' boat is the one you should want. That's a sea kayak, made to keep a straight course on large water bodies. It's not the best choice where you have to maneuver among rocks, or paddle up narrow twisting streams. Also, although there are two cargo compartments, the luggage capacity is limited--you're not likely to fit all your glamping gear! Plus for a naturist, that kind of boat is somewhat confining.

See three different choices of boat in this thread from 2017:
http://freerangenaturism.com/forum/index.php?topic=931

An open canoe leaves you vulnerable to the wind and waves. But if you want to take enough camping gear to get out of backpacker mode, it's the way to travel.