Queen's Creek Paddle 8/7/2012

were empty but still provided plenty of shade for us. Kayaking today were Ken, Bruce D, Bruce J, Brian, Steve, Dottie, John and Phyllis. Our lone canoe carried Ellis and Marti. We put in at the Landing near Loop 7 and decided to paddle up Cub Creek. The tide was out but we still had plenty of water to head upstream a ways. We saw plenty of egret and heron and lots and lots of tiny crabs scurrying along the muddy shore. When we could paddle no further we turned around and headed back to the point and from there headed out to the York River. Two swans took flight as we approached open water. We spied a convenient beach on the south shore and took a short break to rest, swim and snack. Getting back into our boats, Ellis decided to try Sgt Bruce' kayak. Bruce foolishly left his water cannon in the kayak. Ellis mastered his paddling stroke before firing on the unsuspecting canoe! Remember, there is always payback! We headed on up Queen's Creek and took out at the floating dock where we took some time to relax and eat lunch. The storm clouds were beginning to gather but we decided to continue upriver a little further. Marti took over Bruce' kayak and Ellis returned to the stern of his canoe with Bruce at the bow. We paddled past the Marina hoping to see the "Blessed Ellis". Unfortunately, she was not there. Our hope is that she was on a grand sea adventure. With a slight breeze at our backs, we turned around and headed back to our take out point .

Ellis and Bruce landed their canoe and Bruce stepped out smartly onto dry land. He leaned a bit too far to the left (a rarity for Bruce) allowing momentum and gravity to pull the boat over and dump Ellis into the water! SPLOOSH! There was Ellis on his back almost completely submerged! There was Bruce standing up and totally dry. Payback for the water cannon assault? Bruce says no. But I have my doubts. We managed to get Ellis up and out of the water and he bailed out his boat. We then got all the boats loaded (in between fits of laughter) and headed for ice cream at the Queen Anne. No sooner had we finished our last bits of hot fudge sundaes and ice cream cones when the rain began!!

Another great day (Ellis was the only one to get wet) for the Tuesday group!!!

View Phyllis'pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/crashneumann/QueensCreekPaddle02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNrwusmVg-XWeQ