False Cape State Park Triathlon 9-21-10

Fourth Annual False Cape Triathlon Sept. 21, 2010

We had another great day for our 4th Annual Triathlon. Everyone started ariving around 8:15 A.M. for our 9:00 A.M. meeting time. They all were there by 9:20 and we were on the road by 9:30. Going into False Cape and doing what we were about to do, you need to start on time in order to get it all completed. On this day we had: Bill B, Fran A, Bob S, Bob M, Susan F, Jane O, Susan R, Robb W, Dewey P, Margaret J, Margaret P, Christine W, Mark C, Dottie A, Pam & Juan P, Jean B, Sandy B, Glen D, and Brian S. We always like to have new people to join in on our Tuesday Group outing and today we had three. Hope they all will return for another day of fun.

On this trip we were biking 6.5 miles through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge into False Cape State Park. Leaving our bikes at Barbour Hill, we used the park's kayaks to paddle 2.5 miles south to False Cape Landing. At this point we tied the kayaks to the dock, put on our hiking shoes, and hiked 2 miles. Altogether we covered 20 miles in about 6 hours, with a few encouraging words from me to the group like we'll be leaving in 5 minutes,get your PFDs & paddles here, Listen up, lunch will be over in 5 minutes and it's time to get your boat in the water let's go ! ! , we accomplished this. This was a very good group, everyone biked together, we kayaked with each other and the hiking was at a slow pace and not too hard on anyone. Some even took a dip in the ocean for a few minutes, and it felt sooo good.

After a short talk about what we were about to do and some safety tips we were on our way. We biked through the Wildlife refuge on their Gravel Roads and no one had a flat tire, or lost a chain and this was a very good start to a great day. As we reached Barbour Hill Boat Dock, we parked our bikes and each picked out a boat in which they thought would be good for them. We had 12 single kayaks and four tandem kayaks. I passed out the paddles and PFDs and we were on our way. About one mile from the boat dock we rafted up and took a water break and I gave the group some insight to a few of my stories that I had heard a few years earlier. After pointing out a few landmarks, some in Virginia and others in North Carolina, we were on our way again. As we reached the boat dock at False Cape Landing I spotted a snake lying on the end of the dock. Dewey and I moved in first and when I got closer to the snake I could see that it was not a venomous snake. I chased it off the dock and everyone came in and tied up. We had a few minutes here for everyone to change into their hiking shoes and we were on our way. Hiking towards the beach on False Cape Landing Trail it wasn't long before we reached the storm shelter and here we left our packs on the table. We had a short break for water and then I called out their names according to the way they had signed the sign-up sheet. I had a short course set up for the group, which as they walked in line, they had to look for plastic eggs hanging from trees. Once you found an egg you had to move to the end of the line and the next person took point. The first person did not always find the egg and the ones in the rear would call out,"I found one" making the leader think twice about looking harder for an egg. This went on until all 16 eggs were located. Back at the parking lot in my truck I would pass out prizes for the winners depending on the letter located in their egg.

Finishing up with our hike some stopped at the ocean and a few braved the waves and jumped in for a cool break. Walking back to where we had left our packs, we stopped for lunch. After about 30 minutes we packed-up our gear and headed back to the boat dock. Everyone put back on their water shoes, pfds and climbed in their boat and we were on our way again. We reach the Barbour Hill Dock about 2:15 and put away the boats, paddles and pfds. I locked the boat house and we had a short break for some picture taking and then headed towards the park's new office. At the office some bought cold water and others bought something from the Gift Shop. We were here about 20 minutes and some enjoyed the big deck outside with chairs and the cool breezes blowing from the east. Now it was time to head back to the parking lot on our last leg of the Triathlon.

With a group this large not everyone gets to see all the birds, turtles and animals that smaller groups do. On this trip we saw a Bald Eagle, two Deer, three snakes, three Osprey, Egrets, Great Blue Herons, one Dolphin surfing a wave out at the beach, and about 15 turtles.

Back at the parking lot around 3:30 we said our good bys and some headed towards the Mall others headed home, but 12 of us headed for Pungo Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor, to keep up the tradition of the Tuesday Group. We had Pizza and Ice Cream. Dewey had an Ice Cream and dripped some on his shirt and he was afraid that Carol would see it when he got home before he could get the shirt off. Well, Dewey got caught, I talked to Carol last night. I think Dewey will have to stay indoors all day today.

Next year we hope to have an even better turn out and even more fun, if that is possible. Thanks for everyone that came out this year and Bob, we all hope you are feeling better now.

Bruce Julian

Visit the link below to view Bill Billing's photos from this fun day:

http://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/TriathlonFlseCape?authkey=Gv1sRgCOafmpu1mJXBTA&feat=email#