IROW tours Somes Sound, Mt Desert Island and Acadia Maine!
Before I attempt to type out a brief update as to the fantastic weekend had by all who attended last weekends "IROW TOUR" (from my Blackberry while riding the ferry across Lake Champlain), I must first credit my wonderful wife with most of this years organization..... Planning..... Food.....and SUCCESS. The remarkable weather is credited to someone else :-)
Samantha really "kept things smooth and clicking along" during all four days, and everyone expressed their deep appreciation for so much being done from our HOST. Thanks again SAM !!!
It seems UNANIMOUS that all who attended found the water, land and accommodations to be VERY fitting for our ideal vision/goal at IROW. There are over 20 things that I've placed on a list of "would not change" after thinking of the recent experience on Mt. Dessert Island, however, we would like to hear reasons of how you believe this destination or the specific weekend (as we consider plans to make this spot our location for an ANNUAL tour on the second weekend of August a CONSTANT event for the calendar) should be made different or better.
The biggest problem we had during the tour of Maine's "Downeast" coastline was making a decision on what island, cove, lighthouse, or harbor to explore next. Many of us ventured out on two or three different excursions PER DAY, and we didn't even scratch the surface of what's available to people of our OUTDOOR ENTHUSIEST type of background.
Using Google Earth, I plotted over 64 miles of rowing that was covered from Friday to Monday!!!! Congratulations to all of you who challenged yourself to get out into the ocean, with the help of fellow members, more than you ever had before. The Moorings INN also seemed to be made for our needs, with reasonable rates, friendly staff, a half acre of waterfront grass, very low boat traffic, and even long hoses for the AFTER-ROW clean-up. I'd say that 90 percent of the boats up there are sail boats (and many of them made next door at HINKLEY), and those of the power nature were either working Lobster boats or vintage 1940.
There can certainly be additional destinations ADDED to the calendar in any future year going forward (to complement this venue), but we believe to have found a heavenly location for the ultimate/endless open water Rowing adventure for those who live near or far.
Chapter ONE is done, but we want to hear your thoughts!!! Please e-mail your pictures to LEW, as we are sure to have some AWARD WINNERS in the mix.
Full report at the EBRoC members meeting, and thanks for all the smiles and memories created together :-)