Goodwin Islands Paddle 9/30/2014

The Goodwin Islands are a 777 acre archipelago of salt-marsh islands surrounded by inter-tidal flats, extensive submerged aquatic vegetation beds, a single constructed oyster reef and shallow open estuarine waters. Salt marsh vegetation is dominated by salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and salt meadow hay (Spartina patens). Forested wetland ridges are dominated by estuarine scrub/shrub vegetation. Along with Taskinas Creek, Sweet Hall Marsh and Catlett Islands, the Goodwin Islands are part of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR) . The CBNERR was established in 1991 to promote informed management of the Nation's estuaries and coastal habitats. It is administered as a partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Goodwin Islands are owned by the College of William and Mary and are managed by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). VIMS serves as the on-site manager of the islands and assures consistency with the MOU between VIMS/College of William and Mary and NOAA. The Reserve's and Institute's missions are closely aligned through interdisciplinary research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, education of students and citizens, and by providing advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public. The islands are at the northeastern tip of York County approximately 22 km down the York River from VIMS and are accessible only by boat.

This was, without a doubt, our very best paddle to the Goodwin Islands--perhaps our best Tuesday Group paddle ever! The weather was perfect. There was ever so slight a breeze to cool us from the glorious warmth of a mild day. The water was perfectly clear below and still as glass above. We saw a pod of porpoise frolic by as we took our first break for snack and water. We saw rays, crabs and all sorts of fish and sea grass below our boats as we paddled out to the "Spider"-an old rusting tower that appears to now serve mainly as a roost for pelicans. We lunched at a beach on the far side of the islands (back on the mainland) and listened to stories from Barry, Jean and Mark on their recent trip down the Colorado River.

Afterwards, ice cream at the Sno-Zone. Another great day for the Tuesday Group and the BEST PADDLE EVER!