tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73699945272281169822024-03-12T22:27:20.992-04:00A Tidewater PaddlerLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-62922354113519904982018-09-13T12:30:00.001-04:002018-09-13T12:38:41.794-04:00GRAB THE PADDLE TO READ THE JOURNAL ENTRYLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-3818325330801985592018-09-13T12:30:00.000-04:002018-09-13T16:24:02.987-04:00Back River/Grandview Beach 8-26-18 Wanting to explore a place I had not been before, I headed to the Back River in Hampton and put in at the Fox Hill Boat Ramp. The facility is rather new, and apparently popular with the motorized set. There are two concrete ramps, a small bait and tackle store, porta-johns, and plenty of good parking. There is also a dedicated kayak launch, one that is basically a narrow slip Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com1365 Dandy Point Rd, Hampton, VA 23664, USA37.0961693 -76.294633611.5148878 -117.6032246 62.6774508 -34.9860426tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-7797305667526803222017-05-28T15:35:00.000-04:002017-05-28T15:35:54.073-04:00Western Branch Reservoir - 5/28/17
The Western Branch Reservoir is in the city of Suffolk, Virginia, and is one of several lakes that the city of Norfolk owns and uses to supply its municipal water. I don't normally paddle lakes, and usually find them less dynamic than a river or something tidal. However, this was a pleasant paddle. The surrounding shoreline was lush and green from all the recent rains, and Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com2Suffolk, VA, USA36.808494429569635 -76.61873817443847736.805315929569637 -76.623780674438478 36.811672929569632 -76.613695674438475tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-48615911729556309312016-07-17T20:59:00.000-04:002018-05-06T19:35:56.922-04:00Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - 7/17/17 Early on a hot Sunday morning I paddled out of Veteran's Memorial Park in Chincoteague on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The park has plenty of parking (at least while I was there), clean restrooms, a fishing pier, and a busy concrete boat ramp. From the ramp I headed directly across Assateague Channel to the marsh on the other side. I then turned right heading almost due south in Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com2Chincoteague Island, VA, USA37.916846889742267 -75.38054466247558637.910583389742264 -75.39062966247559 37.92311038974227 -75.370459662475582tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-33174450442533207772016-07-16T14:39:00.000-04:002017-05-28T14:55:04.403-04:00Gray's Creek/James River 7-10-16 Looking for someplace new to paddle, I decided to try the public boat ramp on Gray's Creek in Surry County on Marina Dr. The ramp is relatively new, and in fact, an on-line exploration couldn't definitively tell me if it was even open yet. I took my chances and found a busy concrete ramp, and a very full parking lot. I had to unload my kayak and gear at the ramp, and then headLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Surry, VA, USA37.182065455300929 -76.804304122924837.178902955300927 -76.8093466229248 37.185227955300931 -76.7992616229248tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-2275200176704475082016-05-29T09:58:00.000-04:002016-05-29T10:07:15.390-04:00Chickahominy Lake - 5/28/16
Feeling the urge to paddle some place new, I put in at Eagle's Landing on Chickahominy Lake near Lanexa, Virginia. I was a bit hesitant with my choice since it was Memorial Day weekend, and the lake is famous for its fish catches, and yes, there were many people fishing, but most were in small jon boats and most were respectful of the kayak. Even with all the extra boaters, ILeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com22142 Landing Rd, Providence Forge, VA 23140, USA37.420485 -76.97578299999997937.4189085 -76.978304499999979 37.4220615 -76.973261499999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-83011405159539393272016-05-14T10:42:00.000-04:002016-05-30T11:17:08.070-04:00Guard Shore to Old Tree Island and Saxis WMA - 5/14/16 This was my fourth trip out of Guard Shore, but it was my first not heading to Jobe's Island (which you can read about here). From the beach I headed generally northwest across Muddy Creek, which was actually crystal clear, towards Old Tree Island. The water was covered in crab pot buoys, and I spent several minutes watching a waterman pull his pots. Other then him, and two Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Guard Shore, 4, VA 23308, USA37.8459602 -75.67826250000001712.3239257 -116.98685650000002 63.3679947 -34.369668500000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-16055619183076131842015-07-19T12:00:00.000-04:002015-07-24T11:16:52.639-04:00Pompco Creek - 7/19/15 For this trip I had originally wanted to explore Chesconessex Creek, but after learning from my father about the boat ramp at Schooner Bay, I decided to put in there. This enabled me to get closer to the Chesapeake than I could have using my original put-in point further inland. The boat ramp at Schooner Bay is public and maintained by the county of Accomack. I chose to forgoLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com020350 Bluebill Ln Onancock, VA 2341737.762962877794926 -75.77270507812537.761393877794923 -75.775226578125 37.76453187779493 -75.770183578125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-73530792963773828312015-07-15T20:36:00.000-04:002016-05-29T20:37:48.711-04:00James River - Queens Creek - 7/5/15 After not being able to get on the water for several weeks, I wanted to go somewhere that I knew I would enjoy. So I chose Wilcox Landing on the James River where I had such a splendid paddle in 2014. You can read more particulars about this spot in last year's trip report. This time I headed left (east) from Wilcox Landing (Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park), following the shoreline Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Charles City, VA 23030, USA37.343890600000009 -77.07126800000003237.293395100000012 -77.15194900000003 37.394386100000006 -76.990587000000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-68959456514510167982015-04-18T13:01:00.000-04:002016-05-30T13:06:55.487-04:00Nottoway River - 4/18/15 This was my first kayaking trip of 2015. I had wanted to go earlier, but weekends were either booked, or the weather was foul. Knowing I wanted to see some "spring", I headed to the Old Bridge ramp on the Nottoway River near Courtland. I've been here before and knew there would be plenty of trees to be seen leafing out. As I mentioned in an earlier trip report for this Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Franklin, VA, USA36.674421987880137 -77.0426130294799836.67123798788014 -77.047655529479982 36.677605987880135 -77.037570529479979tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-46956873548830049362014-11-04T18:26:00.001-05:002014-11-04T18:26:41.936-05:00Blackwater River - 11/4/14 This was my fourth trip on the Blackwater River, and my second time putting in at Joyner Bridge. I was hoping to time my trip to catch some of the fall foliage colors along the river, and I was not disappointed. The Blackwater is a slow moving river that flows through swampy lowlands, separating Isle of Wight and Southampton Counties. One dip of the paddle and you know how theLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com2Carrsville, VA, USA36.7336702628466 -76.91691398620605536.7273077628466 -76.926998986206058 36.7400327628466 -76.906828986206051tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-17828446094176024762014-10-05T19:08:00.000-04:002014-10-05T19:08:11.934-04:00Nottoway River, Peter's Bridge - 10/5/14 This was my forth trip on the Nottoway, and to date, was the farthest upriver I had gone. I put in at the state boat ramp at Peter's Bridge, where plenty of parking is the only amenity. Judging by the lack of trash I usually encounter at boat ramps, I would say this is not a popular spot, or the people who do use it clean up after themselves. The steep ramp is concrete, with aLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Newville, VA, USA36.859021084497634 -77.18976974487304736.846317084497635 -77.20993974487304 36.871725084497633 -77.169599744873054tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-84832071643347063362014-09-21T21:05:00.001-04:002014-09-22T18:10:13.738-04:00Chickahominy River - 9/21/14 This was my fourth trip on the Chickahominy (or one of its tributaries), and my second time using the Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area to launch from. There is a fee to use this WMA, which is supposed to be paid in advance, and there is no way to pay once you get there, but I have never seen a WMA employee there at all, let alone one checking for passes. There are two Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com2Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area, Morris Creek Landing Road, Charles City, VA 23030, USA37.316768904885429 -76.88103675842285237.313611904885427 -76.886079258422853 37.31992590488543 -76.87599425842285tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-51025426949690131942014-09-15T19:14:00.000-04:002014-09-16T06:07:56.344-04:00James River - Herring Creek - 9/14/14 This trip was serendipitous. I had left the house intending to paddle the Chickahominy again, but at the last minute changed my mind and headed another 15 miles to put in at Wilcox Wharf (Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park), just west of Charles City Co. Courthouse. The relatively new park has a few trails, clean restrooms, a fishing pier, and a concrete ramp to access the James River. Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Charles City County Courthouse VA, USA37.317178466552413 -77.09784507751464837.314021466552411 -77.10288757751465 37.320335466552415 -77.092802577514647tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-89909223725851893692014-09-06T19:11:00.000-04:002014-09-07T19:14:15.012-04:00James River - Claremont Beach - 9/6/14
For a while now, I've been looking for new places to explore the lower James River and its tributaries. When I start a search, I usually begin looking for public boat ramps or public beaches with something interesting nearby to explore. This time I came across a trip report from paddling.net about Claremont Beach in Surry County, and this is where I headed. Claremont is an Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Claremont, VA, USA37.230912689119322 -76.94996953010559137.23012268911932 -76.951230030105592 37.231702689119324 -76.94870903010559tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-51311548302516326382014-07-17T20:44:00.001-04:002014-07-18T07:22:57.163-04:00Northwest River - 7/17/14 This was my second paddle on the Northwest River. My first was during the fall when the colors were near peak. For this trip the colors were only clear sky blue and leafy green. My put-in point was Bob's Fishing Hole, right on the river. This enterprise rents Jon boats, sells bait, runs fishing tournaments, and has several ramps which they let kayakers use for only $2. Bob's Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com2Pleasant Grove West, Chesapeake, VA, USA36.567136142077757 -76.1986827850341836.563947642077757 -76.203725285034182 36.570324642077757 -76.193640285034178tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-29474752065015865512014-07-06T20:53:00.000-04:002014-07-13T06:22:45.023-04:00Nottoway River - 7/6/14 For my third paddle along the Nottoway, I put in at Carys Bridge, near Sebrell, Va., west of Courtland. There is a DGIF public boat ramp just upriver from the bridge. Take your time on the landing road, as it is heavily rutted and full of craters. There is plenty of parking, and the ramp itself is concrete, but I went in to the left of the ramp on a more kayak-friendly surfaceLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Sebrell, VA, USA36.769073539040946 -77.16599464416503936.762713539040945 -77.176079644165043 36.775433539040947 -77.155909644165035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-78130123030992550582014-06-22T19:02:00.000-04:002014-06-28T06:26:13.730-04:00Pitts Creek (Pocomoke River) - 6/22/14 I first got the idea of paddling Pitts Creek from reading Andrea Nolan's book, Sea Kayaking Virginia. Pitts Creek is a tidal tributary of the Pocomoke River close to where the river meets the Chesapeake Bay. Towards its headwaters Pitts Creek becomes part of a freshwater swamp, and this transition from salt to fresh, and the subsequent change in plant communities, is whatLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com1End of Pitts Creek (Rt. 709 near the village of New Church)37.974367833338626 -75.630837678909337.971238833338624 -75.6358801789093 37.977496833338627 -75.6257951789093tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-40808734355820008722013-11-03T20:12:00.000-05:002013-11-17T20:56:27.272-05:00Waller Mill Reservoir - 11/3/13 Many of the kayaking trips I take in the fall are in an effort to see and photograph foliage color. When planning this trip I sought out a location on the Penninsula, further away from the coast, so that the tree mix might include more than just green loblolly pines. A co-worker recommended Waller Mill Park in Williamsburg, not as a kayaking destination, but as a place where Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Waller Mill Park, 901 Airport Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA37.3179029 -76.698332837.3052739 -76.7185028 37.3305319 -76.67816280000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-60965351388772147252013-07-21T18:05:00.000-04:002014-01-12T18:22:05.831-05:00Onancock Creek and Parkers Marsh - 7/21/13 The Eastern Shore of Virginia is surrounded by water on all sides, and there are many tidal creeks coming in from the bay and ocean. One of the most famous and loveliest is Onancock Creek. The water here is wide and fairly deep, and from a kayak you can see many fine pieces of Eastern Shore architecture. Several miles in from the Chesapeake, sits the town of Onancock, which isLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Onancock Creek, VA, USA37.723863410773525 -75.78987168854973837.711303910773523 -75.810041688549731 37.736422910773527 -75.769701688549745tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-60729455480792984302013-06-09T21:05:00.000-04:002013-12-03T21:08:43.748-05:00Broad Bay/First Landing - 6/9/13 I am not sure why it took so long, but this trip was my first time kayaking in Virginia Beach. In deciding where to go I went with the familiar and chose the boat ramp at the end of 64th St. in First Landing State Park. After paying $5 at the gate, I headed towards the ramp, but knowing there was a nice sandy beach near the parking area, I launched from there. Even at an earlyLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Virginia Beach, VA, USA36.889479802362828 -76.01663590263342536.886304802362829 -76.021678402633427 36.892654802362827 -76.011593402633423tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-75714812492148074592013-05-26T16:10:00.000-04:002014-01-22T16:20:42.470-05:00Parkers Creek - 5/26/13 Parkers Creek is a tidal creek flowing into Metompkin Bay on the Atlantic side of Virginia's Eastern Shore. To be honest, there are probably prettier creeks, but this one is special to me and my family, so it is one of my favorites, and I had been looking forward to paddling it for some time. Most of the headwaters of Parkers Creek flow from farms and forests, but Perdue FarmsLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Accomac, VA, USA37.724430702001477 -75.60627938364632437.718150702001481 -75.616364383646328 37.730710702001474 -75.596194383646321tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-52761943124597427202013-02-03T20:29:00.000-05:002013-04-03T19:33:26.434-04:00Lafayette River - East of Granby St. To access the upper third of the Lafayette River, the best place to put in is likely the Haven Creek boat ramp. Head towards the mouth of the creek and turn right (east) to go under the Granby St. Bridge. Following the shoreline, you will eventually reach the Virginia Zoo. The riverbank here has been left in a fairly natural state and there are usually good opportunities to Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Norfolk, VA, USA36.888227058642613 -76.27757678856141936.881877058642615 -76.287704788561413 36.894577058642611 -76.267448788561424tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-19037586206980503002013-02-03T11:32:00.001-05:002013-04-03T19:33:39.200-04:00Lafayette River - Talbot Hall to the Granby St. Bridge To paddle the center section of the Lafayette River, you can either put in along Mayflower Rd. at one of the steps, at the Haven Creek ramp, or at the 45th St. ramp on Knitting Mill Creek. Knitting Mill Creek was so named for, of all things, a knitting mill. For its small size, this can be a busy creek with a lot of boat traffic, but being an adhered to no-wake zone, Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com1Norfolk, VA, USA36.895578291443783 -76.29259715904481736.889228791443784 -76.302725159044812 36.901927791443782 -76.282469159044823tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7369994527228116982.post-43453784271104669382013-02-03T11:12:00.001-05:002013-04-03T19:34:10.303-04:00Lafayette River - Tanner's Point to Crab Creek The first third of the Lafayette River will take you through some of Norfolk's wealthier neighborhoods. If you appreciate eclectic residential architecture, peering into other people's backyards or looking at their boats, then this will be an enjoyable paddle for you. I usually put in at my normal spot on Mayflower Ave. and head towards the Hampton Blvd. Bridge and the mouth Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com0Norfolk, VA, USA36.903796101310249 -76.29596015671268136.891098601310247 -76.316216156712684 36.91649360131025 -76.275704156712678