Hello Mice (and those who want to paddle with us)
Spring is almost here, time to pull yourself out of the weeds and get into the water!
Here is the first look at the Mice schedule:
March 29-30
MERCHANT'S MILLPOND OVERNIGHT
Cancelled. Maybe we will try again later in the season.
BACK RIVER PADDLE
Saturday, April 5, 2008
11:00am
Gosnold’s Hope Park, Hampton
This is an early season paddle in conjunction with a camping event. Put in will be at the boat ramp at the park. We will paddle along the Back River, either towards Air Power Park, or along Langley Air Force Base towards the York River. Bring lunch, and dress for the weather!
Take Mercury Boulevard east to King Street North. Turn right on onto Little Back River Road. Turn in park entrance across from Willow Oaks Blvd. Boat ramp is on the on right.
A few mice will be camping at the park all weekend. Trailers only!
May 3
PADDLE FOR THE BORDER
The City of Chesapeake puts this paddle on. It is a 7.5 mile one way trip up the Dismal Swamp canal. Check out the website at http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/park-rec/paddlefortheborder.shtml
There is a fee to participate, and the event will sell out, so sign up early. Note also that Mogul is planning a Kentucky Derby Party later the same day.
May 9-11
NORTH LANDING CAMP/PADDLE
Details to follow.
September 12-14
KIPTOPEKE (tentative)
Many more paddles to come. We try to do two weekend paddles and an evening paddle a month from May-September, and will do a couple of camping trips. We will do some long paddles, and some shorter, "social" paddles. We will hit some old favorites, plus a coupe of new put-ins and waterways.
Hope you can join us!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Paddle for the Border 2008
This is the view from the water on the 2006 Paddle For the Border, looking down the Dismal Swamp Canal. This paddle is put on the the City of Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department. It is quite well run, and covers 7.5 miles from North Carolina to the Dismal Swamp Canal Boat Ramp in Chesapeake.
So mark your calendars for May 3rd, 2008 and visit this link to get sign-up information.
http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/park-rec/paddlefortheborder.shtml
Cost is $30, and slots are limited, so be sure to sign up early!
So mark your calendars for May 3rd, 2008 and visit this link to get sign-up information.
http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/park-rec/paddlefortheborder.shtml
Cost is $30, and slots are limited, so be sure to sign up early!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Autumn Paddle- Lake Bradford
In early November, the River Mice tried something new. Our paddle season generally ends in early October, but why not extend the season a bit and paddle in November? Perhaps celebrate the last day of Daylight Savings Time. We met at Debbie P's place on Lake Bradford for a paddle and a dinner afterwards.
George, Jeanine, Debbie H, Mike, Jerry, Jeff and Teresa posed for a picture before heading out on to the lake. Jim arrived later and went out with Mike and Jeff a little later in the afternoon.
George, Jeanine, Debbie H, Mike, Jerry, Jeff and Teresa posed for a picture before heading out on to the lake. Jim arrived later and went out with Mike and Jeff a little later in the afternoon.
A Little Push and He's In!
Put in was in Debbie's backyard. Jerry cut a path down to the lake, and we each took turns getting into the water. Each of us got a good-luck push from Debbie on the way out, and a smoky welcome on our return. Something about a bad starter log, and an obstructed chimney...
Here Jerry enters the lake in his big gray beast, a 16-foot Carolina.
Here Jerry enters the lake in his big gray beast, a 16-foot Carolina.
George Fights the Wind
George didn't want to take a sit-on-top boat out onto the chilly water, so he brought his canoe. Perfect for staying dry, but not for a windy day. The effects of hurricane Noel continued from Friday night into Saturday. they were diminished, but in certain spots on the lake, the wind was howling, turning George's canoe into a sailboat without a rudder. He pulled out every paddling trick he knew of, but in the end, George worked his way to the edge of the lake, where he got a little protection. The kayaks, with less freeboard, fared a little better against the wind, but still had to work at it.
Catching Up on the Water
Above all, this paddle is what we call a "social" paddle. Nothing hard core, just a chance to get out on the water and hang out with your friends. Debbie and Jeanine spent a good part of the paddle catching up on things, and floating back towards the take out courtesy of the wind.
In the end, it was another great day on the water, a fitting end to the 2007 River Mice paddling season. See you on the water next year!
END LAKE BRADFORD
In the end, it was another great day on the water, a fitting end to the 2007 River Mice paddling season. See you on the water next year!
END LAKE BRADFORD
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Kiptopeke Weekend, 2007
It is an annual rite signifying the beginning of the end of summer for the River Mice. Kiptopeke is always one of the most mellow camping events of the Mogul calendar. The brilliant sunsets are one reason.
Thirteen mice in all camped at the spacious campsites of Kiptopeke State Park on the Eastern Shore. They were joined by two others who paddled for the day, and took advantage of the discounted 24-hour round-trip toll on the bridge tunnel.
Tropical storm Gabrielle popped up off of the Outer Banks, and loomed over the weekend. Where Sunday morning is very relaxed, everyone packed up quickly to get across the bridge-tunnel before any wind restrictions started. Gabrielle was slower than expected, and turned out to sea earlier than feared, so the haste wasn't needed. But Friday night and Saturday were wonderful, and Jerry's campfire provided a nice gathering spot that wasn't too warm.
Thirteen mice in all camped at the spacious campsites of Kiptopeke State Park on the Eastern Shore. They were joined by two others who paddled for the day, and took advantage of the discounted 24-hour round-trip toll on the bridge tunnel.
Tropical storm Gabrielle popped up off of the Outer Banks, and loomed over the weekend. Where Sunday morning is very relaxed, everyone packed up quickly to get across the bridge-tunnel before any wind restrictions started. Gabrielle was slower than expected, and turned out to sea earlier than feared, so the haste wasn't needed. But Friday night and Saturday were wonderful, and Jerry's campfire provided a nice gathering spot that wasn't too warm.
Hiking to the Put-in?
Saturday's paddle got off to a very slow start. We hit the lowest of low tides, and wound up walking through up to knee deep mud and muck for a couple hundred yards. Jerry, Chris and Terri slog their way through in this picture.
There is some good news for future Kiptopeke trips- the commercial ramp and dock facility nearby will be open to the public next month.
Once we got into deeper water, it was easy. A light breeze and a slack tide helped everyone get through the five-mile paddle around Raccoon Island.
There is some good news for future Kiptopeke trips- the commercial ramp and dock facility nearby will be open to the public next month.
Once we got into deeper water, it was easy. A light breeze and a slack tide helped everyone get through the five-mile paddle around Raccoon Island.
Walking Around Raccoon Island
Once we got past the first couple hunderd yards, it was a great paddle, but not the end of the walking. between the large sandbar on the far end of Raccoon Island, and the shallow water along the beach on the east side of the island, there were plenty of opportunities to hike. Bill and Cheri wanted to give their shoulders a rest and walked along the beach, with their pet kayaks on leashes. A few others paddled away from the beach behind them.
A Betsy Sighting
You remember Betsy. She has been on a few paddles with us this year, and made it up for the whole weekend. Now that her family business has gotten established, she has more time to join Mice and Mogul events. She paddled like she had been doing so all along!
You Call This Camping??
Compliments of Chris P:
Crab Cakes
Steamed Clams
Linguini with Clam Sauce
and a Vegetable Chutney
Not your usual camping fare, but fitting after a day on the water!
The Seventh Annual Kiptopeke outing was a success, food and all.
Come join us next year!
END KIPTOPEKE
Crab Cakes
Steamed Clams
Linguini with Clam Sauce
and a Vegetable Chutney
Not your usual camping fare, but fitting after a day on the water!
The Seventh Annual Kiptopeke outing was a success, food and all.
Come join us next year!
END KIPTOPEKE
Scotts Creek Paddle, 8/16/2007
Seven Mice met on a Sunday afternoon to paddle the backyards of Portsmouth, putting in across from IC Norcom High School. Jeanine, Jim, Peggy, Chris, Jeff, and a pair of Jerrys headed down three branches of Scotts Creek, and even got out into the Elizabeth River for a little while. This finger of the creek goes between the Shea terrace and Sugar Hill neighborhoods.
In the Shadow of the Big Ships
While Scouus Creek has its pastoral spots, and plenty of wildlife, it is an urban paddle, and a good look at the "port" in Portsmouth. Here, Chris and Peggy are along the back side of the Naval Hospital, and are dwarfed by a couple ships docked at onr of the private repair yards in the area.
Chris and Jerry Catch Up
As much as Mice paddles are a chance to get some exercise and see some great sights from a unique vantage point, our paddles are very much a social event. There are plenty of chances to have some long conversations with your friends. Here, Chris and Jerry share home improvement stories.
Aloha!
That's Jim lending a little aloha spirit to the paddle. Usually the bright colors are on the boats!
We paddled for about two hours and about five miles, and enjoyed the varied backyards that Portsmouth had to offer.
END SCOTTS CREEK
We paddled for about two hours and about five miles, and enjoyed the varied backyards that Portsmouth had to offer.
END SCOTTS CREEK
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Bennett's Creek Evening Paddle- July 26
The second evening paddle of the summer was on Bennetts Creek in Suffolk. Five Mice made the trip west- Jim, Jerry, Jeanine, Jeff and Wayne, Jim's co-worker.
Put in was at the city boat ramp in Bennett's Creek Park, located a half-mile off Shoulders Hill Road. there was a small "Boater's Beach" that we used next to the concrete ramp.
Bennetts Creek is a wide, meandering waterway that ends when it meets the Nansemond River and the James River. There are a lot of large farmhouses along the creek, as well as some empty land. The sprawling subdivisions of Suffolk haven't reached the banks of the creek yet.
Here, from left, are Jerry, Wayne, Jeanine and Jim.
Put in was at the city boat ramp in Bennett's Creek Park, located a half-mile off Shoulders Hill Road. there was a small "Boater's Beach" that we used next to the concrete ramp.
Bennetts Creek is a wide, meandering waterway that ends when it meets the Nansemond River and the James River. There are a lot of large farmhouses along the creek, as well as some empty land. The sprawling subdivisions of Suffolk haven't reached the banks of the creek yet.
Here, from left, are Jerry, Wayne, Jeanine and Jim.
Jeanine is Ready to Go
We stopped at the Creekside Restaurant near the route 17 bridge for a little break and a cold beverage. It was a beautiful evening, and we were able to sit on the deck. Things were a little rushed, though, as the restaurant was swamped with business, and we could see the sun getting lower and lower.
Put in after our break happened very quickly, about two minutes from walking back to our boats to being on the creek again. Then it was a sprint back to Bennetts Creek Park for takeout.
Put in after our break happened very quickly, about two minutes from walking back to our boats to being on the creek again. Then it was a sprint back to Bennetts Creek Park for takeout.
They Aren't Going Anywhere!
We got back to the put-in a little late, and consequently had to load up in the dark. This was not a night paddle, but an evening paddle!
Here, Jim checks out the tie-downs for two kayaks in the bed of Wayne's truck. Jerry pitches in with some advice.
Here, Jim checks out the tie-downs for two kayaks in the bed of Wayne's truck. Jerry pitches in with some advice.
Moonrise Over Bennetts Creek
Bennett's Creek is a great place to paddle after work, and seems far from the suburbia you have to drive through to get there. You get some great views, and some great paddling down the wide meandering creek. The quiet of early evening only adds to the pleasure.
END BENNETTS CREEK
END BENNETTS CREEK
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Drum Point, July 21
The River Mice tried out a new put-in on Saturday the 21st. The Drum Point city boat ramp is located on Back Bay, at the end of Mill Landing Road.
The group had a choice Saturday morning- paddle in the Back bay, or head up nearby Nanney's Creek. Since the winds werepretty strong from the north, and a few whitecaps were seen on the bay, the creek won out.
Jim and Jerry show off their new acquisitions- sleek blue boats!
The group had a choice Saturday morning- paddle in the Back bay, or head up nearby Nanney's Creek. Since the winds werepretty strong from the north, and a few whitecaps were seen on the bay, the creek won out.
Jim and Jerry show off their new acquisitions- sleek blue boats!
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