Moyock Paddle 11-20-12

Cool weather predicted for Tuesday made some change their mine about going on today’s paddle. Well, they missed out on a great day and a great paddle. We only had 5 to show up but we still had a good time and cover about 10.5 miles. Margaret and I met Bill B., at Hardies there at Moyock in North Carolina at 8:15 and Bill had his Big Breakfast which he only has on Tuesday, Margaret and I had Ham & steak biscuits. Along with the three of us we also had Sandra, C. and Don R. and we all met there at the put-in around 9:15. The only thing bad about the whole day was the water level in the Creek and the River which we had plan to paddle on. With the strong winds out of the northeast for the passed 3 weeks the water level was down between 4 and 5 feet and this did stop us from paddling in one of the creeks.As we paddle away from the dock the group decided to head inland towards Hwy. 168 which goes through Moyock. This was an interesting paddle with the water level so low we could see things in the water and the mud which we never had before. We found about 5 old rowboats which could have been there for the last 100 years, who knows ! There were also large pieces of metal and one metal wheel there close to the railroad bridge that we paddle under. We though back to 1800’s when Shingles Creek was busies with boats and barges going and coming to and from the Atlantic Ocean by way of Shingles Creek, Northwest River, Tulls Bay , Currituck Sound and finely through the Currituck Inlet out into the ocean. The Inlet was there around the Virginia and North Carolina Border and fill in by another big storm in the late 1800’s making everyone need to sail all the way to Oregon Inlet to reach the Atlantic Ocean. This one thing help to slow the progress of the Village of Moyock.

From here we turn around and headed back towards The Northwest River and a small creek which I had plan to navigate in order to stay away from the winds. Well when the water level dropped 4 to 5 feet that only leaves about 6 to 8 inches in all the small creeks. We talked it over and everyone decided that the winds were NOT going to stop our paddle and we headed straight into the winds and paddle all the way to Northwest River City Park, only stopping once for some to water trees. We pulled into the dock about 12:15 and here we had bathrooms, picnic tables and no wind, life is good !

After lunch we took a short hike, about 1 mile round trip, and then back into our kayaks and the return trip to the put-in. With the winds at our back and the river flowing out to sea we had the best of both worlds. The return trip only took about one hour and after we loaded our boats, 4 of us headed to Southland and ice cream. Some thought that Bar-B-Que would be good for supper and bought a pound or two. (It was) North Carolina Bar -B- Que is the best. We then said our goodbyes’ and headed home. We all had a great time with greater friends. Thanks to all that paddle today.

Bruce

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