Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway

Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway, originally uploaded by jmharper.

In case you have wondered what all the jibber-jabber is about the Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway, here it is in map form.

We did the first leg from Munden Park to the West Neck Marina on June 26th. It was a ten mile paddle!

The second leg was done backwards, from Princess Anne Road to West Neck Marina on July 31st. A short 4-1/2 mile paddle, but the rain and scenery made it interesting.

Next up, we will paddle from Princess Anne Road to the Hutton Lane dock behind the Pep Boys on Virginia Beach Boulevard. Saturday, August 27th is the date.

Finally, we will paddle from Hutton Lane to the Lesner Bridge on September 24th. Come and join us!

City Park- To the Put-in

City Park- To the Put-in, originally uploaded by jmharper.

August's evening paddle was August 16th at City Park in Portsmouth- the perfect place to put in for the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River. Jerry, Jim, Chris and Jeff met at 6pm for a nice, relaxed paddle across the river and up one of the many creeks in Portsmouth and Chesapeake.

Here, Jim is wheeling his boat to the sailboat ramp at City Park, about 150 yards from the powerboat ramp. The Sterling Point neighborhood is across the river.

Ready for the Western Branch

Ready for the Western Branch, originally uploaded by jmharper.

The kayaks are ready to go, and Jerry is setting his GPS to record how far and how long we paddle. Things just seem to be more relaxed, yet more vivid at the end of the day, which is one big reason we do evening paddles. We usually don't paddle too far or too hard, and just try to enjoy the scenery we go by and the wildlife that is just coming out after the heat of the day. it can be a little hectic trying to beat the tunnel traffic after work, but once you are on the water, everything else just evaporates.

Paddling Down Stearns Creek

Paddling Down Stearns Creek, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Stearns Creek runs between Portsmouth and Chesapeake, and winds through wetlands and backyards. Lots of nature here, as the neighborhoods are well established, with plenty of trees for the birds. The jellyfish were in abundance, too, in the warm creek water.

Chris and Jerry take a very short break from paddling, before realizing that it is time to turn back!

Back Just in Time

Back Just in Time, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Things got worse pretty quickly, and the group paddled as quickly as they could back to City Park. We made it just in time, as dusk was about 20 minutes early, and the storms were about 2 miles away. We got the kayaks loaded and left the park just as the police started their sweep and the skies opened up. In all, we did 3.75 miles in an hour and a half- not bad for after work!

Port Norfolk Put-in

Port Norfolk Put-in, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Jerry and Jeff tried a new put in on August 11th. Located on Bayview Boulevard at the foot of Chautauqua and Mt. Vernon Avenues, this tiny stretch of beach allows access to the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River just west of the Portsmouth International Terminal. Wherever you go, you have to pass under the new Pinners Point Bridge, which keeps the parking area free of traffic.

Heading west, you can paddle towards Portsmouth City Park, and the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. Lots of great backyards, with a rest stop at City Park, and beverages available at the golf course pro shop.

Heading east, you paddle by the terminal, and the huge container ships loading and unloading there. Stay at least a hundred feet away from the ships, if not more, both because of security, and because of the strange waves that can reflect off the ship hulls.

The semi-open water of the Elizabeth is next. turning south, you can see downtown Norfolk, and a little closer, the Naval Hospital. Turn right just before the hospital, and the calmer waters of Scotts Creek allow a half hour of exploring.

It helps to feel secure in small waves and swells here, as the wind and wakes can combine for some interesting water!

West Neck Creek- 7/31/05

What's This?, originally uploaded by jmharper.

This was the second leg of our tour of the Virginia Beach Scenic Waterway, Covering West Neck Creek from the West Neck Marina south of Pungo to Doziers Bridge on Princess Anne Road near the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. We actually went backwards, from north to south. We intend to have covered the entire waterway, from Munden park to the Lesner Bridge, before the end of the season.

There is a nice dock at the Dozier's Bridge site- a great place to put in. Parking is available, but pay close attention to the no parking signs. One of the Beach's finest drove down to the dock hoping to write a parking ticket or two. Instead, all he could do was wave.

Oh, and Jeanine was helping Jerry find his paddle!

Taking Cover!

Taking Cover!, originally uploaded by jmharper.

Ten minutes into our paddle, it started to rain. Just when we thought it would let up, it rained harder. Just when we thouight it couldn't keep up anymore, it really started pouring! You can see what we were dealing with in the background.

About halfway through the paddle, at the 1:15 mark, we were able to take cover under the Indian River Road bridge for a break from the elements. Those with glasses wiped them off, and those with beverages opened them. Those of us with bailers also bailed our boats of about an inch of accumulated water inside.

Between Princess Anne and Indian River Roads, the paddle goes through a tree-lined channel. Thankfully, someone had been through with a chainsaw sometime after hurricane Isabel, because there were few obstacles. If you have a rudder, you have to take it up every once in a while as you paddle over large floating logs. Chris and Jeanine did a great job of "clearing the way" for Jerry, Jim and Jeff!

A Wet Take Out

A Wet Take Out, originally uploaded by jmharper.

You can see how it was still raining at the end of our paddle, but you can see some of the awesome scenery that we went through. It looked great even despite the rain.

We took out at the West Neck Marina's boat ramp, just off of West Neck road in southern Virginia Beach. It cost $2 apeice to park two vehicles at the marina for shuttles. Setting a shuttle is mandatory for one-way paddles, so the paddlers and boats can reunite with their vehicles. We often prefer to carry our boats back to the put-in with our shuttles, so it is important to park vehicles that can carry multiple kayaks.

Too Little Too Late

Too Little Too Late, originally uploaded by jmharper.

After 3 hours in the pouring rain, Jerry remembered he had an umbrella, and brought it out to protect his soaked self from the drizzle that persisted at the end of the paddle. The drizzle wasn't going to keep us from a little picnic, not after what we'd been through!

All of our paddles are interesting and fun, some more so than others. This paddle was no exception. As long as you didn't mind getting a little wet, this was an awesome paddle!

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!