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We always have a great time when we paddle the Goodwin Islands but today was extraordinary! The weather was truly spectacular-sunny, not too hot, low humidity and a steady breeze that miraculously was at our backs for most of the trip. The timing of the tide was perfect and helped to make paddling fairly easy. We left Back Creek Park put-in on time (or close to it) and headed towards the thoroughfare. We had 9 boats/10 paddlers: Ellis, Marti, Bill B, Bruce J, Kevin, Steve L, Samuel, Ed and Brodie (in their tandem) and me, Phyllis. The wind was at our backs as we followed Back Creek and we rode the gentle waves created by the breeze. You barely had to paddle at all! We cleared the thoroughfare and found a welcome beach for our snack break. We walked the beach, watched bald eagles, saw many jellyfish and lots of crabs. Paw prints in the sand indicated raccoons (possibly?) but there were larger prints as well. Perhaps someone had been by earlier with a dog? Coyote?
After we had our fill of beach-combing we continued our paddle. We looked for stingrays but the water was a bit murky. We continued our leisurely trek around the islands heading for Green Point on the shore of the mainland for our lunch beach. The wind and tide continued to help us along our way. We passed two fishermen poling their boat through the shallows and watched fluffy clouds began to fill the sky. Ellis assured us that these were fair-weather clouds and unlikely to bring any rain. We saw eagles, egrets, and herons.
We marveled at the islands as we passed through and beside them-how they change from year to year. And yet stay the same. We arrived at our lunch beach and spent nearly an hour relaxing and eating our lunches. It was almost too cool to swim though some waded into the water a bit. Brodie built seaside sand structures. Bill flew his kite. Samuel discovered a freeloader in his boat-a hermit crab inside a shell thought to be empty! We all enjoyed the warm sun and gentle breeze. Eventually we got back into our boats to paddle back to the marina. Some headed straight back while a few of us explored Claxton Creek a bit. This wasn't a wise move as the wind was no longer at our backs! We had to work a bit to head back into Back Creek! Once we cleared the open thoroughfare, the wind was blocked and we had a gentle paddle back in. We were treated to two dolphins frolicking around our boats!
Once back at the put-in we quickly loaded our boats. Next stop was the brand new Yorktown Dairy Queen where we enjoyed our reward for the 9 mile paddle. Well, the real reward was an amazing day with amazing friends. It doesn't get any better than this!
Phyllis
Thanks to Phyllis for leading this trip on a spectacular day. So glad we braved the wind and crossed the Thorofare and went around the islands! The long lunch on the beach was wonderful. Thanks Steve for contributing the bald eagle shot.
Bill
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