Hi Gang.

Saturday's forecast is for 79 degrees and partly cloudy.  It's perfect canoeing weather.  For your convenience, I've included the details from the website below.  Be sure to reserve your canoe, and let me know when you've done so.

See you soon.

George.

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Canoe Trip - Nissequogue River

The Nissequogue is a tidal river, which means that the current changes direction as the tides change. The trip will be timed so that we will be paddling in one direction, with the current. Canoes should be reserved on an individual basis in advance by calling Bob's Canoe Rental at (631)269-9761. Mention that you'd like to start with George Waldbusser, as per the schedule below.  You must have a partner to rent a canoe.  Or, you could rent a kayak to paddle solo.  If you wish to try to find another person looking for a partner, send an email through the Yahoo Group by clicking here:  BikeAroundLongIsland@yahoogroups.com.  Trail Boss is not responsible for the results of any partnerships thus arranged.

Directions to starting point: Long Island Expressway to exit 53 - Sunken Meadow Parkway. Go north on parkway to exit SM3E, Route 25 (Jericho Turnpike). Take Jericho eastbound 4 miles to Paul T. Given Park on right. Park is just past the Route 25 and 25a merge, diagonally across the road from the statue of the Smithtown Bull.

FAQs (compliments of Bob)
Bob's Basic Instructions

More helpful info: 

• Release of Liability -   print and bring along one copy for each participant

• Dress as you would for the beach.

• Be sure to wear something on your feet that you can walk in the water with.

• Bring a waterproof bag (or 2 large garbage bags) and rope to tie your loose stuff to the boat and keep it dry.

• Bring food and drink - definitely lots of water.

• Don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray.

• Some have been known to bring water guns.

• Bring cash - no credit cards accepted.  The price is $50.  We may get a discount ($45) if we have at least 6 canoes, and we're able to sign up at the same time.  We might try letting Bob's people know when we arrive, but tell them we want to wait for a headcount to see if we have 6 or more before we pay.  Trail Boss has known Bob for about 25 years, and good will has always been the way of doing things (in both directions).  Please maintain your sense of humor if you are requested to pay the normal $50 rate. 

The schedule (8/23/2008):

• 12:30pm - Meet at Paul T. Given Park (across from The Bull). Park your car, gather your stuff and greet your friends.  On a nice day, the place can get chaotic.  The parking lot has 2 sections, and cars may be parked in either section.  The first section is where you enter from Jericho Turnpike.  The second section is beyond that, where the canoes are launched.  Meet the group near the canoe launch site (in the second section).  Try to get a headcount before paying, to see if we get a discount.  Pay Bob's people for your canoe rental.  Bring cash, as they cannot accept credit cards. 

• 1:00pm - Line up for a canoe, and hop in when told.  Expect beautiful scenery and no rapids.  Try to keep the rest of the group in sight.  We might head "upstream a couple hundred yards to see the waterfall before we go down the river.  This is not a race.  I've seen people get in their boat, take off, and we never see them again (that day).  Conditions permitting, we will look for a place to "hang out" on the banks of the Nissequogue.

• About 3 hours after starting - Arrive at Kings Park Bluff, where Bob's bus will take us back to our cars at the Paul T. Given Park (across from The Bull).   

Rain or foul weather:

I know what you're thinking.  Rain?  Impossible!  But, just in case, call the Trail Boss Hotline (631-499-3953) after 7am on the morning of the trip, just to be sure.  A chance of a shower might not scare us off, but a chance of a thunderstorm should be taken seriously.