The other day, I get into the beach around 11:30 AM with a group of folks I took out earlier that morning. Gorgeous morning. The fog, which started out thick, got thicker so we are hugging this shrouded shoreline as we paddle into the mystic. But the breeze is kicking in, my butt's wet, the group's arms are tired--good time to be getting in.

There greeting us are a couple from a state to the south (that will remain nameless) loading up some kayaks with overnight gear. They are about to head out into the soup, the building wind (maybe 15 knots at the beach now), a flooding tide, and lord knows what. Across 3 miles (if they're lucky) of open water. They plan to reach an island that's maybe 12 miles distant.

And 100 yards away is a State ferry they can drive onto, quickly cross the bay, and then zip a few hundred yards to a safe, first-stop island. Could be a great place to stay while the Bay is socked in, Hurricane Dennis' swells lap up around them, etc. (Judge for youself.)

But darn it, they've been planning this trip for some time now--and their idea of paddling the rocky coast of Maine doesn't include being freight on some big boat.

But, hey, I talk them into putting their boat and gear back into the car and getting in the ferry line. (I'm feeling pretty good--those fire and brimstone worst-case scenarios finally work.) Soon, however they exit the line and again start loading up on the beach. Ferry's not leaving for half an hour it turns out--they're not going to wait around!

So just AFTER the ferry gets off, they do, too. Heading upwind and upcurrent of that unseeable bohemeth. And, of course, the water's become even less friendly, recreational boat traffic has picked up....

(So, it's not like you're at a party and somebody's who's had too much to drink wants to drive home. Take his keys, of course. All I can do is leave a nasty note on their windshield-where their float plan was supposed to be-asking them to go someplace else and risk their lives.)

Anyway, find youself a guide. A qualified, knowledgeable Registered Maine Guide to make some important decisions for you. It's really pretty easy to risk one's own safety. But you are not going to find any guide worth his or her salt who'd do that for you. And there are outfits-like Camden Kayak, of course-who not only don't endanger you, but enhance your paddling experience.