This weekend was particularly special as far as kayaking goes. We had three different experiences, all in one weekend, going from one extreme to the other. Kayaking with friends and having a blast.
Saturday was our designated Crooked Island Sound day. We had planned all week to go, still making every effort to go every weekend when possible before the oil hits. We were up early, loaded and on the road. The wind was a southwesterly wind this weekend and we knew things might be rough. Going into the sound we met our friends, Beth and Steve. They were leaving because they said the water was too rough to cross. We talked with them for a few minutes and then headed to the landing to see for ourselves. They were right, white caps and a lot of wind. So, now what? Plan B. They were heading to Chipola River so we decided to tag along with them. We had never been so this would be a new experience.
We launched from the park on Hwy. 20 and paddled up stream. The current was calm and the scenery beautiful. The river was not as clear as I had hoped but there were pretty white sandy beaches along the way which made for great rest stops and a perfect place for a picnic lunch. There were very few houses along the river which surprised us. We saw a lot of limestone rocks along the banks which were great to look at and explore. We paddled several miles until the afternoon thunderstorms made their grand entrance and under an overhanging tree we went. As soon as the storm passed, we paddled a bit further up stream until we heard another storm approaching. We decided to turn around and head back to the landing. We still aren't sold on river kayaking but is was a nice change.
We had planned earlier in the week to return to Lake Powell on Sunday. Now with a westerly wind, we knew the water might be rough but we were going. We had been there on July 4 and had a good time and enjoyed paddling to the Gulf and walking on the beach. At the landing, we noticed the lake was down. That meant the lake had either broken through to the Gulf or they had dredged the pass to let the lake drain down. As we got closer to the beach, we could see that a pass had emerged and there was clear access to the Gulf. With the west wind, the Gulf was rough and pushing water into the inlet along with a high tide. The current was strong but we eventually made it to the beach.
So far no oil on the beach but there were plenty of oil workers, National Guard troops, airplanes and helicopters on the beach. I describe it as a war zone, as if we are under attack and in a way, I suppose we are, from BP and the ever spilling oil. We enjoyed walking down the beach but let me say, the beach is not as beautiful as before and it isn't from any oil but from the constant bombardment of four-wheeled vehicles cruising the beach. I know we will have to endure this situation for years to come and that is sad. Our beaches are in horrible shape right now and the oil has not even arrived. I can't imagine what they will look like once the oil does come.
We had lunch on the beach and then packed up to head back to the landing. With the west wind blowing so strongly today, we popped our sails and sailed straight back to the landing. We love when we get a chance to use our sails!
The weekend was fantastic. Mostly great weather, a river trip with friends, a lake trip, another peek at the oil-free Gulf and a chance to sail. What more could we have asked for? Not a thing!
Beautiful!
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