So You Want to Buy a Boat

If you have been out with us, you have seen a few different types of boats. The three types that most Mice paddle are recreational, sit-on-top, and touring.

Sit on tops are easy to pick out of a crowd. There is no cockpit, just a molded seat that you sit in and on. Hopefully, there are holes in the bottom of the boat, making it self bailing. A good sit on top for the type of paddling we do is the Ocean Kayak Scrambler or Scrambler XT. It is rock solid stable, and tracks pretty well. (When a boat tracks well, it goes straight well.) Chris Hoyland has the lime-green Scrambler and loves it. There are other sit on tops around also. Sit on top boats are easy to get in and out of, and never need bailing. if you happen to fall out of one, just flip it back over and climb in! You may find yourself sitting in a little bit of water in your seat- no big deal, unless the water is cold! You are also more exposed to the elements, and may find your season shortened a little.

Recreational boats are basically entry level sit-in kayaks. They have a large cockpit and great stability, and are the least expensive of the sit-in boats. They are often light enough to carry by yourself, and very "user friendly." Bill Larson and Cheri Lewis both have recreational boats. If you don't want a huge investment, but want your own kayak, this may be the way to go. Just remember that the longer the boat, the easier it is to go straight.

Touring kayaks are made for paddling longer distances with ease. The cut through the water easier than the recreational boats or sit-on-tops. The cockpit is generally less roomy, and relatively tougher to get in and out of. Rudders are common, and really help with turning the boat, as most of these kayaks track quite straight. Jerry Schneider and Jeanine St. Romain have touring boats. The Perception Carolina is the most popular, and you will often see more than one at a River Mice paddle. For the paddling that we do, the only real disadvantages to the touring boats are slightly lower stability (still solid), slightly tougher ingress and egress, and expense. A Carolina will run you around $1000 when the bill is totaled.

WHERE TO BUY

Wild River Outfitters- Virginia Beach Boulevard and Rosemont.
http://www.wildriveroutfitters.com

Appamattox River Company- Oyster Point Road, Newport News
http://www.paddleva.com

Southeast Expeditions- Sunset Beach, eastern shore
http://www.sekayak.com

Cool and Eclectic Furniture- Shore Drive or Laskin Road, Virginia Beach
They sell Ocean Kayak sit-on-tops, believe it or not!

River Mice August Paddles

MOGUL RIVER MICE
AUGUST PADDLES

Sunday, July 31st (DATE CHANGE)
WEST NECK MARINA to PRINCESS ANNE ROAD
10am meet at the Princess Anne Road dock, about a mile east of the Municipal Center in Virginia Beach. We will set a shuttle and make this a one-way paddle.

This is the second leg of the Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway (of 4 legs). By the end of the season we hope to have paddled from Munden Park to the Lesner Bridge. This paddle starts out on a wide creek, then enters a narrow tree-lined channel. If you want to feel isolated, this is the paddle for you. This paddle is about six miles long, so it will be a challenge best met by non-beginners.


Saturday, August 6th
Lafayette River, Norfolk- PARTY AT JOHN SCHONK’S PLACE
Bring your boat to John’s house, which is right on the river. Make a short paddle or two to explore the various creeks that branch off the river, and enjoy a Mogul summer party in the process. Jerry will be bringing his "contraption" to help us get in and out of the water if we need it.

Tuesday, August 16th
PORTSMOUTH CITY PARK EVENING PADDLE
6:00pm
This was one of our best paddles last summer. Put in on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River for a relaxing paddle along the backyards of Portsmouth and Chesapeake. Plenty of wildlife, too!
Put in is at Portsmouth City Park. Take the Victory Boulevard exit of I-264, turn north towards the shopping center, and continue up to Portsmouth Boulevard. Turn left, and go for about a mile to the light at City Park Avenue. Turn right, and follow it into the park. Pass the golf course clubhouse on the left, and look for us on the right at the small craft ramp. If you get to the boat ramp, you’ve gone too far.
This is a beginner-intermediate paddle. It has an easy pace, but the open water of the Western Branch could be just a wee bit intimidating to a first-timer.

Saturday, August 27th
PRINCESS ANNE ROAD TO VIRGINIA BEACH BOULEVARD
11:00am
Join us for the third leg of the Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway- West Neck Creek through the heart of the Beach. We will put in at the city dock near the Municipal Center, and paddle around Oceana to the city dock on Virginia Beach Boulevard behind the Pep Boys. We’re trying to do the whole waterway this season, and this is the one leg that we haven’t done even a part of. So come out to explore some new turf!
Put in is about a mile east of the Municipal Center on Princess Anne Road. It is at the bridge about half a mile east of Holland Road on the north side. We will need to set a shuttle, as this is a one-way paddle.
This is an intermediate paddle- about five miles worth. It would be best if you have been out with us once or twice before.

September 9-11
5th ANNUAL KIPTOPEKE CAMPING WEEKEND
Come join us at Kiptopeke State Park on the Eastern Shore for a weekend of campng and paddling and comraderie as only Mogul can do it. Kiptopeke is a great campground, and the sunsets on the Bay can’t be beat. It is only 40 miles from Downtown Norfolk, but it feels a world away. We will paddle around a barrier island, or some other great location along the shore, and may head out Sunday also.

There will be a few more paddles before the season runs out. Come join us!

As always, if you email Jeff ahead of time, we will wait for you. PFD’s (life vests) are mandatory, and a boat helps also. If you don’t have one, there are always a few rigs we can set you up with. Just let us know!

Email Jeff Harper at jmharper@cox.net for more info. Also check out the River Mice blog at http://mogulrivermice.blogspot.com .

Hope to see you on the water!

Owl's Creek Evening, 7-19-05

Owl's Creek Evening, 7-19-05, originally uploaded by jmharper.

ELEVEN Mice came out after work on Tuesday the 19th to paddle Owl's Creek. This was the second evening/night paddle of the season, and we had a great time. Pictured are Jerry, John, Christie, Catherine, Jeanine, Jim's wife, Jim, Charlene, Chris, and already in his boat, Jim H.

The evening paddles are nice because things are a little quieter, and the wildlife seems to come out just before sunset. It is a great way to relax after a stressful day at work. The pace of these paddles is a little slower, and you have a chance to soak in everything around you. We will be doing one in August and September- stay tuned!

Off to Rudee Inlet!

Off to Rudee Inlet!, originally uploaded by jmharper.

It was high tide when eleven of us headed out towards the Rudee Inlet Bridge and the backyards of Croatan. In the foreground you can see Christie, showing good form after only being in a kayak for 5 minutes!

Beginners are welcome on many of our paddles. With enough notice, we can usually outfit you with a boat, paddle, and PFD so you can see what you have been missing. Owl's Creek is a good beginner spot because of the low (and slow) power boat traffic, and short distances to interesting places.

After the round trip to Croatan, we stopped at the Owl's Creek ramp for a break, and to see which direction some far-off lightning was going to go. Once we figured it would be safe to go back in the water, we set out again into the night...

Creature of the Night

Creature of the Night, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Yes, we were out at night! It can get a little creepy, since you have to navigate by shadows, and there are some strange creatures hanging around Owl's Creek. If you are very quiet, and a jet isn't flying overhead, you can hear fish, turtles, and who knows what else! John felt completely at ease on the water.

Look What I Caught!

Look What I Caught!, originally uploaded by jmharper.

You may hear fellow mice talking about how the fish were jumping, and how some almost get inside the boats? This little fish got into a boat during the Owl's Creek paddle. How long before it grows to a foot long or more in the telling?

On the North Branch- Aftermath

On the North Branch- Aftermath, originally uploaded by jmharper.

After 2-1/2 hours and 4-1/2 miles of paddling, Jerry feels good, but looks a little spent. Dehydration is a big concern on these 90-90 days, so bring plenty of water with you!

It was a nice paddle at a new put-in. Hot, but we were able to catch enough breeze and clouds to cool off a little bit. We kept a wary eye on the clouds, but were able to stay safe, and away from the thunderstorms that drenched parts of the area.

This paddle was not scheduled. It was just a quick, last minute gathering set up on the Micemail list. If you feel like paddling, just send out an email. You never know what will happen!

On the North Branch- Jerry Before

Lafayette River 7-16-05, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Near the start of the paddle we were hydrated, happy, and looking forward to fun on the water. Just look at Jerry here, with a smile on his face and paddle at the ready. The fish were even happy to see us, as some big ones jumped out of the water in front of us.

On the North Branch

Lafayette River 7-16-05, originally uploaded by jmharper.

On July 16th, four Mice braved the heat and humidity and heat to paddle the North Branch of the Lafayette River. Jeff, Jerry, Jim and Chris put in at Lakewood Park in Norfolk, and paddled both ways along the river.

Jim's Rig

Jim's Rig, originally uploaded by jmharper.

What do you do when your boat is a little too long? Adapt! That's what Jim did!

And be sure you are there for the next leg of the Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway, from the West Neck Marina to Princess Anne Road near the Civic Center. Get a look at Jim's unique rig first hand!

North Landing River- Needing to Rest

North Landing River- Needing to Rest, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Ten miles in four and a half hours! The group stopped only at Captain Georges at Pungo Ferry for a lunch break. They battled the wakes from all of the powerboats and jet-skis, encountering two-foot waves at times. Turn into the wake as much as you can, and have fun riding the waves! And don't paddle too close to the osprey nests or mother will get angry!

North Landing River- The Survivors

North Landing River- The Survivors, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Four Mice put in at noon on June 26th to paddle the first leg of the Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway. It was the longest, and in many ways, the most challenging River Mice paddle yet. From Munden Park at the south end of Virginia Beach to the West Neck Marina, Jim, Jerry, Chris and Jeff paddled 10.2 miles through the summer heat.

Owl's Creek- Putting Our Boats to Bed

Owl's Creek- Putting Our Boats to Bed, originally uploaded by jmharper.

We put-in at 7:15, and took out at 9:40. After over two hours of paddling and a long day at work, it was time to head home. We loaded our boats and hit the road, but not before deciding that this paddle was worth repeating. So if you missed our Summer Solstice celebration, we will be doing it again in about a month- on or near the full moon in July.

Owl's Creek- They Came From the Night

Owl's Creek- They Came From the Night, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Yes, it got dark out on Owl's Creek. With flashlights duct-taped to our bows, we set a leisurely pace as the sun went down. The buzzwords for the paddle came to us as it got dark. FIREFLIES and the ORANGE GUY.

We had reached the end of one creek behind Shadowlawn, and were returning to Rockefeller's, when we rounded one corner and were presented with an awesome sight- a huge orange moon being "unveiled" as the clouds moved away. The orange guy (man in the moon, get it?) elicited a "wow" from everyone.

By the time we headed west down another creek, it was getting quite dark, and we were treated to a very cool light show. Hundreds of fireflies were blinking in the woods to either side of us! Another "wow" moment.

Finally it was time to head back to the ramp and take-out.

Owl's Creek Night Paddle- The Crew

Owl's Creek Night Paddle- The Crew, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Six Mice met at 7pm at the Owl's Creek boat ramp in Virginia beach for the Summer Solstice Night paddle. Jeff, Jerry, Jeanine, Jim, John, and Chris set out while there was still some sunlight, and warmed up by touring Lake Wesley and the backyards of Croatan. Lots of huge houses amd large boats.

After coming back under the bridge, the pace slowed down, and we started exploring some of the smaller creeks off of the inlet's main body. The tide was VERY high, so we were able to go very deep into the hinterlands.

Owl's Creek Evening/Night Paddle

Hi there River Mice!

You don't want to miss our next paddle, Tuesday June 21st. Meet us at 7pm at the Owl's Creek boat ramp for a unique evening/night paddle.

We will start out by heading over to Lake Willis and the backyards of Croatan. We will then make our way back through Rudee Inlet as the sun is going down, and paddle the creeks behind the Marine Science museum at twilight. This is a great chance to see the wildlife, and to paddle under a full moon. This will also be a VERY RELAXED paddle. We don't have a lot of ground to cover, and plenty of time to do it.

The Owl's Creek boat ramp is on General Booth Boulevard next to the Marine Science Museum.

Bring a flashlight or other battery powered portable light to be attached to your boat.
********
Saturday, June 25 we will be at Munden Point Park in Southern Virginia Beach to start our tour of the Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway. We will head up the North Landing River, past Captain Georges at Pungo Ferry, and up to the West Neck marina on West Neck Creek. We will have to set a shuttle for this one, but it will be worth it.

Be with the Mice as we tackle the Scenic waterway, one leg at a time!
********

As always, if you email or otherwise let us know you are coming, we will wait for you. If not, we paddle without you.

A few extra boats may be available to borrow, just ask!

Jeff

Lynnhaven- Heavy Traffic

Lynnhaven- Heavy Traffic, originally uploaded by jmharper.

A Note of Caution when you paddle at Lynnhaven Inlet. The tides can be very strong, as all of the water in 4 or 5 rivers goes in and out through one narrow inlet. The powerboat traffic can also be VERY heavy, as this is a choke point for boats heading in and out of the Chesapeake Bay.

Paddling out of the city boat ramp area is OK for novice paddlers, but the trip across the inlet and down the channel towards Broad Bay Island can be kind of hazardous. Be careful!

Lynnhaven- Canoe Mice

Lynnhaven- Canoe Mice, originally uploaded by jmharper.

You never know where you will run into friends. on our way to our lunch stop at Bubbas, we ran into Debbie and Dana in a canoe. They were close to the end of one of their many explorations of the inlet area, and joined us for the traditional stop for crabcakes and a beverage.

They said the thought never occurred to them to stop at one of the restaurants on the water. You learn some new things when you paddle with the River Mice!

Lynnhaven- Watch Out for the Sandbars!

Lynnhaven- Watch Out for the Sandbars!, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Lynnhaven Inlet can give you any number of paddling experiences. You can explore the many large waterways that radiate out to the south, hug the shore and admire the beautiful homes, or paddle among the many islands and sandbars that are just south of the inlet itself. Here, Chris, Jerry and jeanine paddle between two islands, hoping not to run aground.

Lynnhaven- Paddling the Inlet

Lynnhaven- Paddling the Inlet, originally uploaded by jmharper.

The River Mice were at it again on Sunday, June 5th. Four mice met at the Lynnhaven Inlet boat facility next to the Lesner Bridge. Chris, Jerry, Jeanine and Jeff were looking forward to a nice paddle on a beautiful day. Sunny and mid-80's was a little hot on shore, but perfect on the water.