Kayak Virginia Beach

Back Bay

Covered a lot of water today, actually my longest trip to date 14.7 miles. The weather was great, low 80's and wind out of the South at 10 mph. Launched the kayak from the Pocahontas Wildlife Management Area, and headed out across Back Bay to the Ragged Islands, up through Redhead Bay, Shipps Bay, North Bay, up Ashville Bridge Creek, finishing up at Lotus Garden Park.
The initial crossing, about 4 miles of open water, and felt really nice with the wind keeping me cool. Getting to a small protected bay at the South end of the island I had a sandwich while enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Heading North around the island I checked out the remains of the hunt club where I found the bowl a while back, I didn't find anything interesting this time around, the water was pretty turbid from the wind chop of the last few days.
Not a whole lot going on in the Islands this week, must be a result of the remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto passing through this week, there were constant 20 to 25 MPH winds and about 5 to 6 inches of rain in the area.
Passing through the islands and into Shipps Bay and North Bay is where things got windy, and interesting as the the wind picked up a bit as well as the wind swell. I felt the kayak was in a constant near broach condition for a mile or so, due to the speed of the the swell and the angle I was paddling the kayak at in relation to the wind and the swell.
I didn't take a lot of pictures this week, not a whole lot that translates well in pictures, one of those you need to see it with your own eyes things. Although I did get a great picture of a Blue Heron taking off, I just got the heron in focus and it decided it was time to leave, and turning I got the shot just before it left the frame.