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.
Monday, August 30, 2010
It all Looks the Same
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!
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
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...
Alas, there were no Teabag Award nominees this paddle...
Sleek Boat!
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
We were joined on this paddle by Jackson, the water dog with the convenient carrying handle!
Photo by Tom
Back Down the Creek
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
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
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.
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
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.
Here, Meetup friend Russ paddles by, dreaming of a real tiki bar, omewhere in the tropics.
Jeanine's Back!
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
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
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!
Thankss for sending in the pictures Tom!
Tom's Pictures
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
After the paddle, the Mice adjourned to Cogan's Pizza on Colonial Avenue in Ghent for some lunch.
A Toast!
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.
Chris, Tom, Carol, Jerry, Debbie, Peggy, Sandy and Wes raise their glasses on the outside patio.
Big Selection
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...
On and off the water. We had a unique perspective of the area's waterways.
END SOUTHERN BRANCH
END SOUTHERN BRANCH
Monday, August 16, 2010
Greenbrier Challenge 2010
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.
Jerry takes a short break on one of the bridges the trail crosses.
Getting Ready to Ride
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.
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
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
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.
John is one of our guests who also was on the Portsmouth Evening paddle.
Successful Launch
Ali navigates her way back to the group after launching from our lunch spot, with some assistance from Aldon.
Meetup Mice
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
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
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
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