Earth Day Paddle In Trash Out Event

It's a beautiful afternoon for our sunset Earth Day Paddle In Trash Out Event at West Neck Creek in Virginia Beach. We are all set up and so excited for the turnout of volunteers arriving shortly. With all of the boats we loaned out for free, a family of five with two canoes, and a couple with their own kayaks, we should be able to pull a lot of litter from the creek today.

Our first group, a father daughter team, are all geared up and eager to launch.

And they are off! This is their first time kayaking and they are extremely excited to help out while experiencing a kayaking trip on West Neck Creek.

Our second group is all ready to go! This father son team is also on their first kayak trip and excited to lend a helping hand with our clean up.

This couple just moved to the area and were happy to help out. We were sad to hear that one of their boats was damaged in storage, but happy to loan them one of ours so they could both make it out with us.

This family of five from Maine came equipped with two canoes and a lot of enthusiasm!

Right from the start they were taking advantage of the low water from the recent North East winds and were collecting litter from the banks.

Our last volunteer is on her way. We are excited to see how much litter this group can collect!

My son Logan thought it was the perfect time to try out dad's kayak for the first time :)

 The thunderstorms were approaching from the West but good thing we were in the clear until the event was over. The storm clouds created some picturesque views in the sky and everyone was off working hard on the creek.

We ran into one of our happy volunteers on her way back to drop off a load of litter at the launch site so she could head out and get some more.

 How do some of these things get here? An entire tire and rim was pulled from the mud and loaded up on the kayak.

Everyone one has returned and we are all amazed how much debris we have pulled from the creek in a hour and a half. From cellphones, to tires, to a front door and bags of bottles and broken glass, this Earth Day event was a huge success! We are extremely pleased with the turnout and the amazing effort everyone put forth in helping to leave our waterways a little cleaner than we found them! Taking on the world (and litter) with a paddle! Adventure Kayak Tours!

Twelve Months of Kayaking March Edition

Our March edition was spent at Stumpy Lake in Virginia Beach on this sunny afternoon.. With temperatures in the mid 60s and a mild wind it was the perfect day for a paddle.

Time to turn on the GPS, off the phone, and get out on the water for a relaxing afternoon. I absolutely love the launch system here and I have heard information that these systems will be installed around Chesapeake too this upcoming season. It is a floating dock with rollers that slides you into and out of the water.

Pretty nice huh!

It was perfect conditions! There were many kayakers out on the lake today but with its size it feels like you have the lake all to yourself.

We were not the only ones out enjoying the sun. The cormorants were out soaking up some rays as well.

Time to throw out the line and get in a little fishing while we are out here.

Time to get in a little geocaching fix. Exploring an offshoot of the lake we are searching for a aqua cache called The Back Nine.

Found It! Just enough water to move in and sign the log.

Modern digital photography is amazing! Time to explore some special effects.

Time to exit this scenic small creek and finish exploring the back of the lake.

There's nothing like relaxing in complete silence, soaking up some much needed sun. The only thing breaking the silence was the sound of an owl in the trees nearby.

Time to stretch my legs on a small island in the back of the lake. While we are here, also search for another geocache.

On the way back we stopped by to see if the resident bald eagle was on his nest and there he goes! He wasn't in the mood for visitors today but we were lucky enough to capture this picture.

It was a welcome relief from the cold winter we have experienced in Virginia having my feet in the water again.

We are getting close to the launch and its been an amazing day. Spring is beginning to arrive and we are eager to kick off the 2014 season. Another day well spent, exploring our world with a paddle.

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.