Paddle In Trash Out Event (Smith Creek)

We arrived at Baum Road boat launch in Chesapeake, Virginia eager to get started cleaning on of our favorite waterways this beautiful February Sunday afternoon.

We got to work right away on the shoreline and surrounding area near the launch. There was much to do immediately and we haven't even got on the water yet.

We filled bags and bags of trash. Spark plug wires, cans, Styrofoam cups, broken glass, pens, screws, bolts, and when your real lucky MONEY! :)

After a relaxing lunch, we loaded up and we are ready to hit the water for the paddle portion of this event.

Right away ,once again, we were hard at work collecting debris from the surrounding waterway. You never really know what your going to find on, or in, the water.

We are loading these boats up! Everything from hard hats to old socks! We always hope that we don't find all these things but find them we did! Which makes this effort so worthwhile!

We even had an audience as the turtles came out to see what was going on.

It's time to head back now. Our work here is done, I'm proud of this little girl and a paddle high five is certainly in order. The paddle back was a reminder of all the hard work we accomplished. A much cleaner Smith Creek than the one we paddled down just an hour ago.

We are back at the launch site. We were certainly blessed with a beautiful February afternoon for our cleanup.

Another day here at Adventure Kayak Tours exploring our world, and taking on pollution, with a paddle and a smile. Hope to see you all at the next cleanup!

Bending Branches Whisper Paddle Trial (Northwest River)

We were excited to receive the new paddle we will be phasing in for customers in the upcoming seasons, and as always we were eager to take it out for a trial run and give it a try.

The Bending Branches Whisper, 230cm,  2pc aluminum shaft, Polypropylene blade, and weighing in at 37 oz. This paddle is a great entry-level paddle, and I am geared up ready to hit the water with it to give it my final approval.

I"m off, and up ahead is the railroad bridge, the virtual "gateway" to the complete solitude of the upper Northwest River.

Traveling under the 168 Bypass to North Carolina, I am ready to get on the way. I have one geocache out here to check on, and two to possibly place in this area while I'm out on the water.

I can already feel the performance of this paddle. The E-coat oval grips are very comfortable with each stroke and I could tell there was very minimal flutter while pulling the kayak along.

It was a beautiful day for a paddle on the Northwest River. Anytime you are out on the water in February, in shorts, you have to feel blessed as a kayaker.

 Left or right here? Today we are traveling left, on a beautiful side creek that travels deep into the cypress swamp to check on a geocache.

I'm finally closing in on the geocache and the paddle is holding up very well. Extremely happy with it and its really lightweight and causing no arm fatigue.

All is well here! This little guy has lasted a long time in this location. Not many people get this far back into the cypress swamp unless they are on a tour with us.

I've reached the end of the "road" for now. Time to take a break, eat some gorp and relax for a minute. I could sit here for hours listening to the trees sway and creek in the wind. If you want to "get away from it all" this is definitely the place for you.

Its good to see the turtles are back out and about getting some sun. They are especially shy this time of year and you have to be quick to catch a photo in February.

If you look closely you can see Spanish Moss hanging from the Bald Cypress Tree. Virginia is the Northern most geographic point where this species thrives.

Stopping by this cove to place a new geocache  for the upcoming paddling season. Look closely and see if you can find it.

My work here is done and its time to head back to the launch. Sneaking in another day in February on the water is food for the soul. Another day spent taking on the world with a paddle. 

Twelve Months of Kayaking February Edition

In our quest to prove every month is a kayaking month, and every season has so many different things to offer, we are off to do some exploration and geocache placements in the Great Bridge area of Coastal Virginia.

28 degrees out, no problem! Like most native Virginians, I was suffering from some severe cabin fever from all this snow and ready to get out on the water. With the forecast calling for sunny skies and winds 3 mph from the East I was ready to go!

I'm all loaded up and ready to go. I'm headed out to place some geocaches on the water
 and maybe even get a few practice casts in with my football head jig.

With the sun shining down on me I'm already warming up, there is no wind, and its the perfect day to be out on the water, I'm actually regretting wearing a heavy jacket already. Kayaking can get you warm faster than you realize.

 Looking over my left shoulder back at the Great Bridge Locks, the only ripples on the water today are created from the water droplets falling from my paddle.

Ive arrived at the creek leading to Bells Mill Pond. The water is less than a foot of water most the way but my kayak is cruising right along with ease.

Entering the creek I'm greeted by a Great Blue Heron taking flight and shortly ahead a Bald Eagle out on his perch searching for a meal.

I have arrived at Bells Mill Pond. Just another place in Chesapeake were you can completely lose track of were you are, taking in the scenery and complete solitude. I'm here to put out some geocaches for fellow paddlers and adventures to discover, so off to place them now.

Taking into consideration how low the water is with all this Northeast winds I made sure these were high enough for the spring and summer months. Happy hunting to all the aquacachers out there.

I found some solid ground to stretch my legs, so time for a quick snack and investigate some nearby prints in the mud.

Looks like a raccoon passed through this same area earlier this morning.Well I'm off to practice with my jig in Bells Mill Pond for a little while and soak up the Sun.

Back on solid ground at the launch area at Great Bridge Lock Park. This was just the therapy that was needed, appreciating the decision to get out on the water more than ever, I really was sad to see it come to an end. Just another day, another month, taking on the great outdoors with a paddle and a smile!