Morris Creek Paddle 10/11/2011

The Tuesday Group defied a threatening weather forecast and enjoyed a new paddle on this little tributary of the Chickahominy River. Eight stalwart adventurers rendezvoused at Chickahominy Riverfront Park this morning and caravaned to the put-in for Morris Creek in the Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area. Launching watercraft today were Ellis and Marti, Bob A (canoes), Bill R, Sandra, Don, Brian and Phyllis (kayaks). Both tide and creek volume were in our favor as we rode the current upstream. Overcast skies and temperatures in the low 70s made for perfect paddling weather. We saw egret, heron, eagles and a few fisherman. We were also astonished by the beauty of thousands of yellow flowers filling the marshes like summer wildflower meadows. There were no water snakes as Brian repeatedly pointed out we were north of the James. We followed the Creek until stopped by Wilcox Neck Road. Bob offered to portage our boats but there wasn't much water left on the other side. We turned our boats and headed back to the put-in where we ate lunch and bid farewell to Bill who was headed home and to Don who had an appointment with a blue-footed booby.After lunch we continued our paddle downstream to the great Chickahominy. Despite the exiting tide, the water level remained quite high. Five hours and 11 miles later we were back at the put-in, loading our boats back onto our vehicles. The trip ended with a stop at Brusters for the day's reward.

Another successful trip for the Tuesday Group!!!

Phyllis

View Phyllis' photos at : https://picasaweb.google.com/crashneumann/MorrisCreekPaddle?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIv8isTxoKXjOA&feat=directlink

View Bill R's: https://picasaweb.google.com/m.malabad/MorrisCreek101111?authkey=Gv1sRgCIS0t7DGzsPd7QE