Merchant's Millpond is about 30 miles from Suffolk in North Carolina. A bit of a trip, but worth it! Plan on most of the day for this one, as we will spend around 4-5 hours at the park.
We will put in at about 10am from the boat ramp at the park, and paddle to our heart's content. The scenery will be some of the most unique and spectacular that we will paddle. Cypress trees are everywhere, so much so that there are colored floats in the water to help you find your way.
This paddle is a prime candidate for a little carpool action, if we can fit the boats, as it is a good distance away. Bring a picnic lunch, as we will stop at one of the paddle-in campgrounds to eat and stretch our legs. Bring your camera, as you will want to take plenty of pictures!
We will paddle if it is cold, but not in the rain. Those with sit-on-tops will need to think about this one, and keep your eye on the forecast, as we are pretty late in the season.
Let Jeff know if you are coming, and we will wait for you at the put-in.
And if you are interested in spending the night, let Jeff know. A few of us may pack our boats to camp at one of the paddle-in campsites, weather permitting, of course.
Hope to see you there! It will be a great way to end the season.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Lotus Garden Paddle- June 6th
The mice made a now annual trip to Lotus Garden Park on Sandbridge Road to paddle the Lotus garden Loop. The paddle runs about 5-1/2 miles. We crossed the road and put in to the north, taking out upon completing the loop.
Jeanine, Tom and Carol round one of the last bends before takeout in this picture.
Jeanine, Tom and Carol round one of the last bends before takeout in this picture.
Stretching Our Legs
The gang stopped at the new Horn Point launch on back bay for a pit stop and to stretch our legs. Horn Point is just off of our loop trail, with access to Asheville Creek and the Back Bay.
Single File
A few parts of this paddle take us through a narrow creek, with overhanging trees. Beautiful stuff, but we have to go single file.
Lotus garden is one of our favorite paddles, with narrow creeks, winding rivers, and a little bit of open water. it is a loop, so we do everything just once. We even saw a bald eagle one year!
END LOTUS GARDEN
Lotus garden is one of our favorite paddles, with narrow creeks, winding rivers, and a little bit of open water. it is a loop, so we do everything just once. We even saw a bald eagle one year!
END LOTUS GARDEN
Unless You Are The Lead Mouse...
Ricky the Rat (who wants to be a mouse) has joined us on a few of our paddles. He is usually perched on the front of Jeff's kayak. Sometimes he would just rather stay in his perch on Jeff's dashboard. Either way, he is happy to be part of the group.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Owl's Creek Evening Paddle- July 21st
About ten mice made it to the second evening paddle of the season, meeting at the Owl's Creek Boat Ramp near the Virginia Aquarium. The paddle took us through Rudee Inlet, under the bridge, and back into the backyards of Croatan.
Once the sun sets, we turn on our "running lights" and explore some of the side creeks off of Lake Rudee.
Once the sun sets, we turn on our "running lights" and explore some of the side creeks off of Lake Rudee.
Rudee Inlet at Night
This view is towards Rockefellers just after sunset. All of our lights are turned on so other boaters can see us.
After dark, we paddled up a few isolated creeks in search of fireflies, but apparently they were out of season. We pulled back in at around 9:15 after about an hour of night paddling.
END OWLS CREEK
After dark, we paddled up a few isolated creeks in search of fireflies, but apparently they were out of season. We pulled back in at around 9:15 after about an hour of night paddling.
END OWLS CREEK
Lynnhaven Inlet Paddle, August 8th
This is always one of our more popular paddles. There is no set route, except for the stop at Bubba's. We just pick a place and go, then pick another place and go. Put in at the public boat ramp is simple, as there is a small beach located away from the powerboat ramp.
Lunch at Bubba's
Our Lynnhaven Inlet paddles always include a lunch stop at Buba's on Shore Drive. We use their boat ramp, pulling our boats quickly out of the way, and order sandwiches and beverages at the restaurant.
Once we are done, we put in, and sprint across the channel avoiding the boats and strong current, and head back across to take out at the public boat ramp.
Once we are done, we put in, and sprint across the channel avoiding the boats and strong current, and head back across to take out at the public boat ramp.
Vonnie on the Water
Vonnie says hi. This was her first trip with the Mice. Hope to see you on the water again!
A Relaxed Paddle
Mark shows off some very relaxed paddling form, while Karl can't bear to watch. We paddled down a few creeks and among the islands in the middle of the inlet area
END LYNNHAVEN INLET
Virginia Beach Urban Loop Paddle
Eight Mice paddled the Virginia Beach Urban Loop on Sunday, October 25th, 2009. We roughly made a circle around the Lynnhaven Mall, paddling those waterways you always see and cross over in that area.
It was a departure from our usual paddles, as we went through the backyards of the industrial park and some older neighborhoods of the area.
It was cool (60 degrees) and windy, so most of us had jackets on (thanks Carol!), but it wasn't bad at all for a late season paddle!
Here, Tom and Jeanine paddle towards Lynnhaven Parkway. This spot is between Potters/Lynnhaven Road and Viking Drive, just south of the interstate.
It was a departure from our usual paddles, as we went through the backyards of the industrial park and some older neighborhoods of the area.
It was cool (60 degrees) and windy, so most of us had jackets on (thanks Carol!), but it wasn't bad at all for a late season paddle!
Here, Tom and Jeanine paddle towards Lynnhaven Parkway. This spot is between Potters/Lynnhaven Road and Viking Drive, just south of the interstate.
Alternate Put-in
We put in a the Hutton Circle dock, located behind the Pep Boys on Virginia Beach Boulevard, east of Lynnhaven. The dock is a bit strange, and rocks alot, depending on how you stand on it. Seems like the floats are only in the center of the dock!
Most of us, including Karl, found it easier to put in through the grass next to the dock.
Most of us, including Karl, found it easier to put in through the grass next to the dock.
Karl's Alternate Ride
Karl shows off his "other" kayak, a lighter, shorter boat for those solo trips. Being shorter has it's drawbacks, though, as Karl had trouble going straight for any length of time!
On London Bridge Creek
After a wind assisted trip south down the large drainage channel behind Stihl and Lillian Vernon, we turned up London Bridge Creek, a quieter meander through the backyards near the Lynnhaven Mall. Trees are just starting to turn colors, as Ali, Jeanine and Karl lead the way.
Pit Stop
Horst considers using the facilities in this unique backyard. Four commodes sit on the banks of London Bridge Creek, along with several fishing rod holders. You can sit and fish and drink beer, and never have to get up!
Bridges
We passed under more bridges on this paddle than any other we have done. Nine bridges, four of them twice. Here, Jeanine paddles under Lynnhaven Parkway.
END URBAN LOOP
END URBAN LOOP
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