Circumnavigation of Jamestown Island 6/26/2012

On Tuesday, 26 June 2012, a fearsome fivesome gathered at Jamestown Beach Park to launch kayaks into the James River and kayak around Jamestown Island. Phyllis, Bill B, Bob M, Ken V, and Brian S launched into a gentle wind that became more intense as they left the protection of the breakwaters along the shoreline. We paddled out to the Jamestown/Scotland Ferry causeway and sailed right under it where we then headed for shore and paid a visit to the ships of Jamestown Settlement. Their flags were fairly limp so figured the winds were mellow. After contemplating bugs, weather, and hardships of people 400 years ago, we took out of the river again and headed downriver to the Island. The winds increased but fortunately were at our backs. The tidal waves became a little larger, but, again, the tide was going out and the winds were at our back. We thought about just resting and letting mother nature do the work—we were coasting at almost 2 miles per hour—but decided we needed a little exercise as well. The paddling was just pleasant with a perfect temperature, nice bug foiling breeze at our back, and halfway down the island our eagle sightings started. There were a number of young eagles that eluded the view of our paddlers since they did not have the pronounced white head and tail markings to stand out. At Black Point on the east end of the island we pulled into a nearby beach for lunch. Bill B noticed the young eagle about 20 yards away in a small tree just giving our group “the look”. You know the look, it says “what are you doing here, this is my turf”. We were mesmerized for a while but the eagle won the staring contest and we started eating lunch. The wind was stronger now and we were concerned that we would be headed into it making our paddle a struggle. We thought it would be good to paddle to the far shore and seek the protection of the Colonial Parkway shoreline for the route back. Bill B. and Brian, laggards that they are decided it was too much work to go that far and kept to the island shore since the wind was not as strong as they anticipated. They took a quick peek into Kingsmill Creek to see the Eagle Nest about 50 yards upstream. Not lollygagging since they were stiffing the others out in the river, all were soon paddling through “The Thoroughfare” and “Back River” into “Sandy Bay”. It is in Sandy Bay that the water is compressed to go through a Colonial Parkway bridge opening that makes it a challenge to get through quickly in case power boaters also are in the area—power boaters need to get “on plane” to get through the bridge opening safely. No problem for this kayak group though. Out in the James, the wind had been whipping up even better waves and now they were in our face. All five kayakers just pushed on through and felt the waves only added to the excitement. Fortunately they were all skilled enough to feel “thrill” instead of “fear”. Bill B had to make another stop at the Jamestown Settlement Ships to take another picture with the flags fully unfurled and open to the high winds. Then it was over. We reached the beach, packed up, and all rejoiced in what a fun time it is to have the Tuesday Group to encourage us to get out for these activities. We then slurred the reputations of those who demurred on the day due to the wind forecast. Having the satisfied fulfillment of the slurfest, we skipped ice cream and went home. Another great day with good friends defying the weatherman.

B.S.

View (and make comments about) Bill's pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/TuesdayJune262012JamestownIslandCircumnavigation?authkey=Gv1sRgCPaPgaiQ5K6JgAE&feat=email#