Some random shots from recent trips to Southport

just a silly slide show from last week

Coach

A tropical paradise, eh? Our coffee destination on Bald Head Island.

Live oak out the guest room window at Coach's house near dawn

I heart this bunny sculpture seen in Coach's neighborhood

A range light at the northern tip of Oak Island

The channel between Bald Head and Oak Islands

View from water front at Southport

Same range light, from the ocean side of Oak Island

Can you see this fog-bow? The "pot of gold" is the marina at Southport. Coach hit the jackpot!

The other end of the fog-bow

Wednesday trip from Marshall Hall

Wednesday I met up with CKA at a launch on the Maryland side of the Potomac at Marshall Hall. As with many of Chuck's launches, there is no fee to put in, but also few facilities. The pair of ramps and pier seem well maintained. Our plan was to paddle some miles, and then enter Dogue Creek, stop at Washington's Grist Mill for a tour and lunch, before returning to Marshall Hall. This trip would lead us in a circle, only in Dogue Creek would we return the way we came.

There was a porta-john but it was truly the dirtiest one I have ever seen. But after coffee and the 45 minute drive...that was the first time I have used one of the individually packaged santi-wipes that are in my boating box. Ugh. A reader might gather that I must have been really grossed out to mention it on my blog. Anyway, I advised the other ladies to use the bushes, the outdoors is a much cleaner place.

Moving on,  we launched well, and headed up-river to view Mount Vernon and the Virginia side of the Potomac. The winds were predicted to be fairly mild but they grew stronger as we paddled. Once we turned down river we stayed close to shore in order to shelter from the wind. We entered Little Hunting Creek but found the wind as fierce, if not more, than on the main river. After some house envy touring, dream purchasing ideal houses, we went back to the main river.

As we got to Dogue Creek the wind turned fierce and gathering black clouds foreboding. We had nice rollers with white caps. Group consensus: run before the storm. So we skipped our goal of picnic and tour of the Grist Mill. Surfing the rollers back to launch was a thrill for me but apparently not so much for the other paddlers in less ideal boats. I think Dennis, in a CD Gulfstream,  and I got the best rides.

When I mentioned at lunch that my boat was made for these conditions several people said "Ah ha! So I really can blame my boat?!" To an extent, yes, many "day touring" boats are not made to take advantage of wave action. Even my CD Solstice is not as stable in following seas when she is empty of cargo. Pack 80 pounds of gear in her and the game changes. But that is another boat, another another story all together.

Lisa walking down to check out the launch

Marshall Hall's skeleton

 

My foredeck with a pile of gadgets

The water was smooth and there was just a light breeze as we launched

I think I was first on the water, unusual for me, I am usually among the last.

Lisa and me, Credit Yoshi 2014

Just a hint of the storm front that would drive us off the water later

Companions on the water

House envy touring in the canals off Little Hunting Creek, Credit Yoshi 2014

Leaving Little Hunting Creek, the current under the bridge can be a beast

Headed down river towards Dogue Creek

What's this? Kayakers love water and food. Not sure which is more popular sometimes.

Embracing my inner kayak-bum

Some one, Marc I think, said something about all the time I have to kayak now. I do, I do indeed have a bunch of time. I am spending a bunch on the water working on things like bracing and edging. I am focused on achieving an ACA assessment in the next year. Essentially by May 2015 I would like to know exactly where I am on a scale of 1 to 5. I have learned a lot this year but there is so much more to learn. I need to focus the most on rolling and boat handling. I realize that the list of what I do not have is far longer than the list of what I do have.

As a matter of fact, it seems like the more I learn the more I realize how little I know.


I wish every day was like this:

Credit RD Greene 2014

Credit Yoshi 2014

Credit Yoshi 2014

Credit R D Greene 2014

Next week I will go for another course of training, Open Water Skills at Tybee Island, GA. I am certain I will find out exactly where I stand. I am both excited and anxious. It all comes down to only one person, me. Paddling is a personal challenge with no opponent. After all my years of European martial arts I think I embraced sea kayaking as a way to challenge my skills without having to defeat any one. It is a zen thing for me, meditative and yet physical, very like yoga. 

Wish me luck!

What little I know I am happy to share

The Lorax writes this disclaimer in his first blog post:

"Now a disclaimer......

I am in no way an expert in any of the things I post here. Most post will be my opinions and we all know about opinions. Please, do your homework, get professional training, and learn the things that are important. I place no guarantee that anything I post will work for you or will keep you safe. Just because it works for me does not mean it is right for you."

And I start to wonder whether anyone would mistake me for an "expert?" Goodness, I hope not! I certainly never meant to imply I am an expert in anything. 

Okay, honestly, I know a few things about gear. I read tons of reviews and (critical) pay careful attention to the things my gnarly boat elders point out as "good" and "bad." Because I enjoy shopping I also tend to keep tabs about current prices and new gear on the market. 

I do not enjoy buying gear that ends up not working right. This is why I am always asking other paddlers about their "X." It is cold here now so currently I am looking at paddlers and their kits and asking "do you like those booties? Why?" "Pogies? Why?"

I have definitely made some mistakes in gear, early on especially. This has lead to a fair pile of cast-offs. Also, things that were right in the beginning, do not fit my current needs or skill level. I am currently in the process of trying to "re-home" a bunch of my stuff. If I am not going to use it it needs to go.

I developed some rules of my own regarding gear: 

-I never buy a product based on online reviews alone. I get real-time reviews from my boat elders (see above) and also from fellow paddlers. 

-I never buy something that is brand new technology or a brand new company until, again, someone I know has actual experience with it.

-I really believe "you get what you paid for." As in, I have a Kokatat drysuit, not some off brand. If one thing is really a lot cheaper than another known product in the same category I have to wonder "why?" 

-If I do not love something, say a PFD, I do not keep using it. Forcing myself to use something that does not meet the function I need is silly, and the delay serves no purpose.

-I take really good care of my gear. Brian says I am a "boat coddler." It is all so expensive. If I am going to pay that much for anything I am going to take care of it. This includes rinsing all my gear in tap water after use. I also wipe down my boat after every paddle. Once a month or so each of my two composite boats get a coat of wax, even in the dead of winter. 

-303 goes on all the hatch covers and rubbery parts. It works well on almost everything and I also apply it to my poly prop Necky Elias once every three or four trips. Although, to be honest, this boat rarely leaves the garage anymore.

-When I buy technical clothing I try to buy things that can be useful in multiple sports. I sadly admit that I have purchased bike jerseys, but that is a thing of the past. Now I buy 1/4 zips and wear them hiking, biking, paddling, walking the dogs...

-I know a guy who is a self proclaimed gear expert. I am NOT this guy. I am not an expert, I am a consumer. I am a careful shopper. The reason I review products here, and at other online venues, is because I like to share information. I try to offer wise consumer advice, and I would always advise checking other resources, especially real people resources.

Which brings me to a story:

-One thing I did buy that was "a new product" on the market is several items made from polyolefin. I first became aware of this material when I purchased a jacket and pants from SUPreme in April 2013. The material is smooth faced on one side and microfleece on the other. It wicks like crazy so I always feel dry. It is my go-to layer under my drysuit, in the shoulder seasons under my wetsuit, sometimes under my wind pants biking in the freezing cold...You get it. The only time I do not want to wear them is the hotbox peak of summer. I have been raving about "poly-o" for a year and a half. I mean, this is great stuff! 
link to pants made of poly-o that I purchased in 2013

Anyway, "gear expert" comes up to me recently and says "by the way this polyolefin stuff is great, you should really think about getting some."

... ...  In all fairness to my friend "gear expert," a) he likes to share too, is generous with both loaner gear and advice because he is truly kind, and b) I chat a lot so maybe he missed the part about "these awesome pants made of polyolefin."

Return to Nanjemoy on Sunday

On Sunday our plans to paddle from Jonas Green out to the Thomas Point Light where cancelled due to high winds. Andy (WKC) suggested Nanjemoy Creek, which made me laugh. But then I considered the reputation of the Creek as a birding spot. Knowing that going left would not lead us to bird life I suggested we leave Friendship Landing and paddle to the right into the narrowing creek.

We must have had two dozen bald eagle sightings. The place is "lousy" with them! At one point we watched an enormous eagle standing on the creek bank, clearly eating something. When she finally flew off her size was a little surprising. Because we were so close we really got a sense of just how big these birds are in real life.

Nanjemoy Creek definitely makes my list of desirable paddles.

There was a flock of about 12 fat white geese hanging out by this isolated and quite charming old farmhouse. You can just make them out next to the house. With smoke coming from the chimney, it was easy to imagine this house as heavenly.

A Saturday Spent Exploring Nanjemoy Creek

Saturday I went to a launch I had never been before, Friendship Landing on Nanjemoy Creek. I had been lucky to score a spot on this trip and was excited to paddle somewhere new. There were 30 CKA paddlers signed up, quite a crowd. 

We went to the left from the launch and went out into the large creek. We paddled first into the large creek but then turned left until we entered Burgess Creek. While the colors are peaking and it is quite lovely, I was a bit disappointed as there was not as much bird life as expected.

Still, a good day on the water, one of the last "wet suit" days. The dry suit will be a must starting this week due to falling temperatures.

Paddling from SERC

Darrick has been scarce these last few months. Really, I think I have only paddled with him twice this season. He has good reason, job, family, college. When I heard tale that his job had moved to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, I was intrigued. I have never paddled from the Center but I have occasionally seen small events scheduled at that locale.

SERC website

Dennis asked if we would like to paddle there Tuesday, and "I'm all over this!" and I mean it when I say it. Only car trouble could prevent my attendance.

So down a little bumpy road I find myself driving, while cataloging my good fortunes. I stopped for a quick chat with the nice security guard in the booth, who teased me about boating in the "cold." Her directions on to the property were helpful, and I found I was the second to arrive. Once all gathered, from the slippery little ramp we launched in to the Rhode River. We explored four or five creeks. Some of this was house envy tours and some untouched marsh-land. We lunched on Flat Island, before finishing our tour in Muddy Creek.

For the most part the water was glassy, perfect for photos

from left to right Larry, Derek, Paul, and Yoshi

Yoshi

Dennis leaves Flat Island

Fall colors and Paul

Lunch spot on Flat Island

Part of the fish weir that the SERC researchers use to monitor marine life in the Bay

But here is the most exciting part for me: Darrick offered to lead us through a tour of a new lab building. This facility is huge, a 90,000 square foot building.  We were told it is a LEEDS-Certified Platinum building, and is called the Mathias Lab some background on the Mathias Lab project

Paul pointing out various features of the area

Paul, who paddled with us, is a retired environmental researcher. As we toured the corridors of the building Paul pointed out people he knew in almost every poster on the walls! This was a special thing, I felt, in the offing. This is a facility dedicated to very important research, research that our planet badly needs.

There are rows of private offices with glass walls looking out in to the atrium and Paul walked down the row until, pop! he pulled someone he knew right out into our midst. Dr. Paul Fofonoff kindly stopped his work and gave us a tour of a suite of research labs. We met a few scientists, who were busy working. Researchers are also educators, whether directly or indirectly, and everyone we met seemed happy to share information about their work.

This was a special day for me; one that will shine for years to come. If I have a religion, it is science. For all that I can be "hippy-dippy," as my step-dad used to say, deep down I believe that there is a scientific explanation for every thing. What appears magical or mystical can or will be explained by science. This does not make things less special or magical to me personally. I had an almost reverent reaction to touring the lab. My experience was much like touring a special cathedral might feel to the pious.

I did not take any photos of the building as I was too busy soaking up the experience. I did not feel the need to create a digital record.

Thanks to Darrick and Paul for making this such a special day, and thanks to Dennis for getting the group together. I am feeling so grateful right now, for my friends and their generous nature. I am "lucky," this I know.

lucky

Darrick