Wednesday, September 29, 2010

West Neck Creek Paddle


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
On September 26th, 2010, four able mice paddled the West Neck Creek in mid-soutern Virginia beach. We put in at the West Neck Marina, and paddled north. It was a cloudy day, with rain in the forecast. The clouds served to keep the heat away, making for a very comfortable day on the water.

Uniquely Karl


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Karl has joined us for almost every paddle the last couple of years, in his green tandem boat. He has adapted it for solo use by moving the back seat forward some. There is still plenty of room for him to stretch his legs, and keep the beer cool!

Three Faces


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Laurie, Horst and Karl make their way up the creek.

The West Neck Creek that we paddled has three faces. Near the marina, it is wide, with lots of side creeks. After about a mile, it narrows down some and meanders. It still feels like a natural watercourse. Finally, at Indian River Road, the creek turns into a straight channel, man made.

Take Out


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Horst stretches out, Karl pulls his boat, and Laurie looks for our fourth paddler at the West Neck Marina.

In the end, the rain held off long enough for us to paddle six-and-a-half miles, and get home and put away. Another great paddle!

END WEST NECK

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Smith Creek Paddle, 9/19/10


Smith Creek Paddle
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Nine mice ventured to southern Chesapeake on a late Sunday morning for a paddle on Smith Creek and the Northwest River. Put in was at the Baum Road small boat launch, a small clearing at the end of the creek.

The creek winds its way for a mile to the Northwest River. Our trip took us around Northwest River Park to Indian Creek, another pretty, winding creek.

It was a beautiful day for a paddle, sunny and about 80.

Relaxed


Relaxed
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Bob has started joining the group on some paddles. He is new to kayaking, but has picked up quick. He has adopted the relaxed method of paddling, reclining and enjoying the trip.

The Karl Method


The Karl Method
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
We had lunch at Northwest River Park, one of our finest lunch facilities. Picnic tables, toilets, and a nice place to pull up our boats.

He doesn't look it, but Karl is quite the nimble fellow, even after a beer or two. Here he demonstrates his entry technique. Just walk onto the boat and sit down! Not even a wobble.

Reflections


Reflections
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
On the way back to take-out, the water was very calm. Lots of great reflections to be seen.

We wound up paddling just under six scenic miles- a most enjoyable time on the water!

END SMITH CREEK

Monday, August 30, 2010

Alton's Creek Paddle 8-28-10


Ready to Go by Tom
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Ten mice met at the foot of Old Pungo Ferry Road for a paddle up Alton's Creek. The creek winds it's way northwest from an oxbow off the North Landing River. It was a beautiful day for a paddle- clear skies and temperatures in the low 80's.

Here, the boats are lined up and ready to go.

Photo by Tom.

It all Looks the Same


It all Looks the Same
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
We were treated to beautiful scenery that rarely changed. The grassy banks that Ricky the Rat looked at stayed the same for almost the entire paddle. Many of us quickly noticed the lack of birds. We saw one heron at the end of the paddle, and a couple of large birds of prey flying around above.

Lunchtime!


Lunchtime!
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Our lunch stop was at a dock erected by the Nature Conservancy. it is usable as a put-in, if you don't mind a half-mile portage down a poorly maintained trail. Nine of us found places to relax on the small dock, but Jerry decided to stay in his boat.

Getting Settled


Getting Settled
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Wes completes the difficult entry off of the dock without incident. getting back into our boats was even more challenging than getting out of them. We were't able to roll onto a flat surface, and our target wobbled!

Alas, there were no Teabag Award nominees this paddle...

Sleek Boat!


Sleek Sue
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Sue cuts through the water in her composite boat. It has a super-smooth hull, and is made of composite materials, meaning it is lighter than your average 'yak.

Jackson the Water Dog


Jackson the Water Dog
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
We were joined on this paddle by Jackson, the water dog with the convenient carrying handle!

Photo by Tom

Back Down the Creek


Back Down the Creek
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
The group heads back down the creek to take out. hearing the powerboats on the nearby North landing River, we decided to go back the same way we came.

According to Jerry's GPS, we covered 6.9 miles, in about 2 hours and 40 minutes of paddling time.

END ALTON'S CREEK

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Owl Creek Paddle 8-24-10


Owl Creek Paddle 8-24-10
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Eight brave Mice ventured into the windy Owl Creek for our annual evening paddle. It was an adventure, as a strong northeast wind turned the normally calm creek and inlet into a bumpy slog. Moving against the wind was a challenge, moving with the wind was easy. The tide was also very high, meaning we were able to get into places we normally wouldn't.

But the rains never came, staying to the west. they got as close as Pembroke and Lynnhaven, but we never felt a drop.

Tiki Bar


Tiki Bar
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Our paddle takes us past a tiki bar, located across a small creek from Rockefeller's. Each year, the owners do a little more to improve it. It has grown from four stools to more than ten. This creek was a small respite from the constant wind.

Here, Meetup friend Russ paddles by, dreaming of a real tiki bar, omewhere in the tropics.

Jeanine's Back!


Jeanine's Back!
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Both Jeanine's back (pictured), and her front were on the water for the first time this season. She was recovering from surgery on both her hands. She hasn't lost a stroke! Welcome back Jeanine!

Heading Back


Heading Back
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
We made it back to take out at sunset, deciding to forego the night portion of the paddle. Even though the weather was improving, we didn't want to chance it after dark.

Despite the iffy forecast, the weather stayed decent, and we had a good, though slightly shorter paddle!

END OWL CREEK

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Southern Branch by Tom

Several Mice seem mesmerized by a large stockpile of gravel along Paradise Creek in Portsmouth.

Thankss for sending in the pictures Tom!

Southern Branch by Tom

A large crane on a barge came by the launch site just as we were putting in.

Southern Branch by Tom

Our semi-fearless leader on Paradise Creek.

Tom's Pictures


Horn Point by Tom Tucker
Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Carol, Sandy and Ali relax during the lunch break of the Horn Point paddle. Picture by Tom

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Southern Branch Paddle, 8-14-10


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Thirteen Mice took to the water from the City of Chesapeake's Elizabeth River Boat Landing and Park, located at the foot of Poindexter Street, where the Jordan Bridge used to go. This was a paddle unlike most of our others, an "industrial paddle" down the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and Paradise Creek in Portsmouth.

Feeling Small


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Our paddle took us by what looked like a grain facility, a gravel facility, a trash facility, and the naval shipyard, among other industrial facilities. We paddled near the remains of the Jordan Bridge, and close to two other railroad bridges. We also passed by a couple of ships and barges.

It was a different way of feeling small, with our tiny kayaks close to all of these large manmade objects. They are much easier to comprehend from a car, or just from standing on land. In a kayak, down low on the water, it is a different story. It was also amazing to see how much water a powerboat that usually lives on a trailer in someone's backyard can kick up while speeding down the river.

On some of our paddles deeper into nowhere, one can stand up, and be the tallest thing for a mile around. On this paddle, we saw and felt the reverse. Not the most beautiful paddle, but interesting anyway.

Mouse's Eye View


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Ricky the Rodent joins the Mice on many paddles, and rides on the bow of Jeff's boat.

Paradise Creek in Portsmouth goes by the shipyard's trash-to-steam plant, run by SPSA. We could smell the unique scents of the SPSA transfer facility, and saw garbage trucks going to and from it.

Old Ship


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
The LY Spear, a decommissioned submarine tender looms behind Tom and Peggy. It is docked at the naval shipyard, awaiting it's fate.

Traffic Jam


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
We actually saw some nature on this paddle, along Paradise Creek in Portsmouth. The group slowed down to observe one of the many herons in the area.

For Spaceman Strength and Endurance


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
After the paddle, the Mice adjourned to Cogan's Pizza on Colonial Avenue in Ghent for some lunch.

A Toast!


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
To a great day on the water with friends. Occasionally, our paddles will involve a watering hole or other bit of local flavor. Lynnhaven inlet usually means Bubba's, Bennett's Creek means the Harborside. Nobody was familiar with the South Norfolk neighborhood we paddled from, so Cogan's in Ghent was the choice.

Chris, Tom, Carol, Jerry, Debbie, Peggy, Sandy and Wes raise their glasses on the outside patio.

Big Selection


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Wes displays the large list of beers on tap found at Cogans. 33 to be exact- something for every taste! Sandy was more interested in the Mediterranean pizza.

A Great Day...


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
On and off the water. We had a unique perspective of the area's waterways.

END SOUTHERN BRANCH

Monday, August 16, 2010

Greenbrier Challenge 2010


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Ten Moguls, including five Mice ventured out to Caldwell WV to participate in the Greenbrier Challenge, a bike ride that supports the Challenged Athletes of West Virginia. We rode along the Greenbrier River Trail, a converted railroad right-of-way. Riders chose their distance, from 11 to 33 miles, and made their way along the scenic trail.

Jerry takes a short break on one of the bridges the trail crosses.

Getting Ready to Ride


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Debbie and Chris prepare their bikes for the ride ahead. It was a beautiful day for a ride, sunny and around 80. There was plenty of shade on the trail, and a small breeze.

Several of the riders in the event were like those that Challenged Athletes helps, and used hand bikes or other adaptive cycles to help them move down the course.

Skills Challenge


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
The Greenbrier Challenge was based at a driving range in Caldwell. after the ride, participants could take a challenge of a different sort. Pitching, chipping putting and driving skills were tested. It was all part of the "Trigolfathon."

Horn Point Paddle, 7-18-10


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
A lot of Mice (15?) convened at the Horn Point canoe and kayak launch in Virginia Beach. It is located on the west side of the north end of Back Bay, a few miles south of Pungo. We paddled up two different creeks before stopping for lunch.

John is one of our guests who also was on the Portsmouth Evening paddle.

Successful Launch


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Ali navigates her way back to the group after launching from our lunch spot, with some assistance from Aldon.

Meetup Mice


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Sue is one of our paddlers who came to us through Meetup.com. Meetup is a way fro the club to branch out and get new members. Sue liked paddling with us so much she came to a monthly meeting and wound up joining the club!

Lunch at Karl's


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Originally uploaded by jmharper60
Karl led us to a campground just off Asheville Creek where he has parked his trailer for the summer. We were able to pull right up to his waterfront site and eat lunch.

Horn Point is a great place to launch, with plenty of options for paddling, and good parking.

The large crowd of paddlers, (including a three year old boy!) had a great time.

END HORN POINT