Grays Creek Paddle 10/3/2017

On 3 Oct 2017, ten Tuesday Group paddlers set out on Gray’s Creek in Surry, Va. No one had paddled the creek before—including the trip leader—but the conditions were perfect: high tide, warm weather, and sunshine. We met at the Surry Seafood Co, a newly built restaurant on Gray’s creek with an adjacent public boat landing. Surry County is also constructing a new marina, to be followed by some form of hotel accommodation. We put our boats in and headed upstream fully expecting a narrow winding creek. Instead we paddling a fairly broad and lush native creek with few visible houses. Two groups split at the end and went up to the limits of paddling before turning around—with the tide!! Bill and Brian went one way, the rest of the group went the other. Bill wanted to see black swamp! It narrowed and then a tree stopped us. We did see a glimpse of a Downy Woodpecker as it flew off. Fish were jumping all along the river, and eagles were ogling them from their perches. The trip was really uneventful; it was just pleasant. We were all surprised by how nice a paddle it was.

Then we ate lunch at Surry Seafood Co; stared out at the water vista, and admired where we had been. The Surry seafood Co put their wonderful fare out for us and we imbibed with plenty of conversation among friends. And then we left; most thought this was a keeper of a trip and we would do this paddle again—next time we will divert and go up “Mothers Gut” which stems off of Grays Creek. Bill B was especially happy as he didn’t have to drive more than an hour and actually ate breakfast at home. A good day for all.

View Bill's pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NEadsssV52VDUQXr2