Tuesday Group activities always are fun, adventuresome and enjoyable. However, our seven mile paddle this past Tuesday was all of that plus more. Fifteen kayakers and one canoeist made the first, in a long time, Tuesday Group all open water paddle. We also had the very first Uber assist for two of our paddlers, and thirdly, the paddle was followed by a “surprise” ice cream social put together and hosted by one of the day’s paddlers, Christine W, in all the bay-front glories of her unique and comfortable lovely home. We also were fortunate enough to have along three great photographers, Bill B, Bob M, and Jim A, who captured our whole day in the attached pictures.
You’ll see pictures of our group gathering at Hampton’s Dandy Point Public Boat Dock prior to heading out into Back River toward where the mouth of Back River joins the Chesapeake Bay. The pictures capture our crossing over from the Hampton side of the River to the Poquoson side, some of the birds spotted and interesting sights seen, and then, of course, as we headed out into the Chesapeake Bay, the warning signs that surround Plum Tree Island’s National Wildlife Preserve. There were many, all warning of No Trespassing, Live Bombs and the fines and jail time you’d receive should you ignore the signs. Thankfully, no Tuesday Grouper on Tuesday was arrested. The winds picked up somewhat as we approached the Chesapeake Bay end of Plum Tree Island’s reserve and kept all but a few from venturing too far out into the Bay. The pictures capture a few of those 1-2 foot waves which were a treat to ride as we returned back into the more sheltered waters of Back River.
Lunch at Poquoson’s Messick Point Public Boat Ramp also was a real treat. We ate in a nice shelter overlooking the activities of a youth sailing club, many of whom were being towed back to the ramp because of the high winds they encountered, and were being dumped by, during their sailing class.
Those same winds were what prompted the Tuesday Group’s very first Uber assist. I hope Jack S won’t mind being identified as the very first TG’er to have such a brilliant idea, particularly when one is looking at the wind, a 1 ¼ mile paddle back across Back River, and paddling a kayak without a rudder or a skag. With that being said, Jack, joined by his son Jay, returned to our put in via Uber, and then it was from the put-in that we all followed Christine back to her Grandview home on the Bay for the delicious ice cream social. I personally cannot imagine a more perfect “surprise” to end another perfect Tuesday Group activity, albeit one too with a few TG firsts.
Sandra C
View Bob's photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nnycEb5oS6hG1XjC6
View Bill's Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bbi/sets/72157709262419596/
View Jim's Pictures: https://jimarendphotography.smugmug.com/Sports/n-rdXFW/Kayaking/20190625-Dandy-Point-Messick