Last Paddle (?) of the year

The temperature of 38 degrees at 7AM the morning of 2 Nov, 2010 did not dissuade the intrepid Tuesday Groupers from gliding the waters of the Poropotank River out in big ol' Powhatan country. It had quickly warmed to 42 degrees by 9:30 and we were all eager to take to the water. While Sandra Canapa was admiring the local watermen who had named a boat after her, Jean was picking the brains of the watermen to see if they thought we were crazy for being out there--they thought we were. They did, however, admire Don's wooden kayak--watermen like old stuff! (Where was Dewey?) Phyllis, Bill Billings, Brian, Ellis, Curt, Ron and Sue rounded out the fleet in less admired craft.

We paddled upriver against the tidal current, with a wind in our face, warming to the task as the sun came out from behind the clouds--or was it because we were working harder against the wind? Whatever, the trip wound upriver with one switchback after another in serpentine fashion through the reedgrass. We passed by Bill Billing's Muskrat Condo's elegantly constructed by the muskrat mowing the reedgrass in the immediate vicinity and piling it on the mud. On our return trip, with the low tide, we could observe the exposed underwater entryways similar to beaver lodges. After an hour and a half of paddling, we approached our lunch site--a welcome respite. Bill had nicknamed it Shoe Suck Spa after its tendency to suck the shoes off people getting into and out of their watercraft. True to form, Don proved it to be aptly named. The spa moniker comes from the delicate mud baths available--many of the Tuesday Groupers did take mini mud baths as they resisted getting back into their watercraft. Truly a healthy bunch. One couple even tried the swamp pool for a short swim, but due to the temperature they made it brief. We passed on the upriver swamp paddle and headed back with the tide. The return always seems shorter.

Packed up, it was voting day, so we passed on visiting Short Lane. It appears that Short Lane Creamery transforms into a Crematorium for the winter--at least that is the rumor started by Sandra--and that did not appeal. Good fun, good company, and the sun did come out to warm us. Another great Tuesday Group day.

Brian

Bill B's Poropotank Paddle Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/20101102101102Poropotank?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCO2OGZuviinQE&feat=email#