Water, water everywhere but not a place to drop in your boat? Here are a few good resources for finding launching spots for kayaking.

DeLorme's Maine Atlas and Gazetteer is invaluable. Launches are marked on the maps. But it doesn't tell you very useful info such as parking availability and tidal access. You need one anyway because the next two resources will reference the Gazetteer page and map grid.

The Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors has a list of sites, parking and tidal access.

The Maine Department of Parks and Lands doesn't have parking info and only lists access as all tides or part. Which part? Top third or half? But it tells you if a restroom is available and is very extensive.

Kayaking the Maine Coast has great descriptions of coastal launches and directions to get to them.

Be careful. Any of these sources can be out of date. The Sea Kayak Guides site has phone numbers so you can confirm details. You can also try asking around your kayaking buddies to see if anyone has info.

Access to the water usually isn't a problem. It's the parking. It's not easy for kayakers to carpool but any efforts to double up can save you a few bucks in parking fees.

Many of the all-tide ramps are at working waterfronts. That means lobstermen, clammers and people with big boats are using it. Try to stay out of the way and do it quickly.

Although my calendar says the full moon is Friday night, Scarborough Marsh Nature Center offers Full Moon Canoe Tours tonight and Thursday night.

Not to rain on the parade but Mother Nature may beat me to it. There is a chance of thunderstorms tonight.

Otherwise, it is a great idea. I've paddled the marsh during a full moon evening. We started at the nature center and turned around at a bridge, The tide came in as we paddled, which changed the view quite a bit. It was like two different trips in one evening.

But to answer Shannon's question "Isn't that dangerous?"

If there are no thunderstorms in the forecast - not so much. Really. I've done quite a bit of evening paddling. Yes, there are risks which can be mitigated.

The obvious one is darkness. But you would be surprised how much you can see at night - especially with a full moon. (BTW, even if it doesn't storm, there most likely will be clouds dimming the light.) But lights are essential. Not to help you see, but to allow other boats to see you - especially power boats. I like headlamps. They raise the light a bit off the water and I can turn my head to the sound of approaching boats. That gives them a clue something is in the water ahead of them.

But my headlamps aren't waterproof. So a waterproof flashlight is an essential backup. A marine strobe light is helpful only if you need help. Only then.

Then there are the tides. A full moon exaggerates the tides. More water than usual moves during those nights. In some areas, it can produce stronger-than-expected currents.

High tide tonight is about 11 p.m. That means mid-tide runs about 7 to 9 p.m. The tide is strongest in those two hours - which could present problems in some areas.

I'm not going to say night paddling is safe. But you can be safer doing it by planning your route carefully and bringing the proper gear.

I wouldn't be venturing out the next couple nights. There are thunderstorms and two- to four-foot seas in the forecasts. It's a bit too risky. But the next full moon is scheduled for June 30. The ocean water will be a bit warmer. Cross your fingers for calm weather.

I'm doing some experimenting with Google Calendars and found I can put tides into a personal calendar. I made it public so you can check it out. Unfortunately you need a Google account to view it. But it is free.

In addition to the times for high and low tides, it has sunrise/sunset times and phases of the moon. All good info for planning a kayak trip.

I also added some weather forecast icons.

I find viewing a month at a time is less confusing than the weekly view. The Agenda view works well for me too.

What do you think? Does the presentation work for you? What other info could help? I'm going to keep working with it and figuring it out. I will keep you posted.

Almost a couple weeks ago, Carey Kish blogged about Peary Mountain in Brownfield and Jockey Cap in Fryeburg. On top of Jockey Cap is a memorial to Adm. Robert E. Peary, polar explorer.

If you're in the mood check out one of Peary's haunts by kayak, I have the trip for you. He had a summer home a few miles off Harpswell - Eagle Island.