Chickahominy Park to Morris Creek Paddle 9/3/2013

On Tuesday, Sep 3, 2013 eight Groupers ventured out to Chickahominy Riverfront Park for a paddle in the face of weather forecasted to include thunder and lightning. It was another of those days when a warning went out to those who signed up that they should check their e-mail for a possible cancellation no later than 7 a.m. in the morning. It was cloudy at 7 a.m. but relatively calm and appeared to be clearing, so it was a go. Since four of the group come so far, John F came 85 miles from his NC residence, an e-mail wouldn’t have done any good anyway. The trip leader thought it might be a good idea to meet the long distance travelers at their designated breakfast spot, McDonalds on Rt 5, and have a cup of coffee. Arriving about 10 minutes after the designated meet-up time, the leader passed the Groupers going the other way to the Riverfront Park—they were done with breakfast and ready to paddle. Arriving at the Put-In, it was but five minutes before everyone who signed up was there and getting ready—a half hour early!!

The group put out and crossed the Chickahominy. There was discussion of going upriver and exploring other creeks, but the trip leader had left his maps at home and the weather forecast was for rough weather moving in around noon. So we stuck to the plan and crossed over and paddled up Morris Creek. Since the tide was up, we paddled straight over much of the marsh grass and saved a good mile of winding paddle time. The water was calm, there was little wind, and the sky cleared up make for a beautiful day. We enjoyed the uneventful paddle—a few egret nesting trees, eagles in flight and jumping fish to provide interest—for a few hours and passed the old put-in we used in the past at the Wildlife Management Area. A few characters who could have been cast in the movie “Deliverance” were fishing from the pier. When asked if the park charged for put-in access, the characters said the park did not. At this point some of the paddlers stomachs began to talk to them. Mark C started looking for a good place for take-out so we could consume lunch.

After a side-trip into a side creek, and a few (2.5 mi to be exact) more miles of paddling upstream, we finally stopped and took out the kayaks. And then we casually paddled back. Until we noted the shelf clouds coming up behind us! We had visions of lightning flicking us out of our kayaks and charring our bodies to be eaten by the Deliverance gang. But the threatening clouds and weather casually moved on. The sun came back out as we crossed the Chickahominy River and took out. With Ice Cream at the park, and good byes to those hurrying to catch the ferry, we went our separate ways. Once again having a great day with good friends.

Brian

Mark C, John F, Bill B, Sandy C, Dottie A, Ken V, Bruce J, and B.S. made the trip

View Bill's pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/TuesChickahominyRMorrisCreek13MilePaddleBrian392013?authkey=Gv1sRgCLL05eG0_uO-ggE&feat=email