The plan to circumnavigate Cape Cod by stages (except the canal!!!) finally got under way today. Illness and tornadoes were non existant, but sun, warmth and blue skies were abundant, a perfect day. Norm was the only taker for the trip and as usual he beat me to the put in by a few minutes despite me arriving 20/25 mins early. I locked my kayak to a tree and we drove down to Megansett Harbor to drop off my truck at the finish point. Back at Monks Cove we loaded up and launched at 9.50am into warmish water, the day was already heating up.
We headed north, keeping Tobys Is. to our left, went under the bridge into Phinneys Harbor. Monument Beach area was packed with boats anchored in the marina. The ginormous parking lot (which requires a YEAR ROUND parking sticker) was empty but for 5 cars. Must be the only beach parking that would require you to have a beach sticker in, say, February!
I wanted to get as close as I could to the west end of the canal so we cruised around the harbor rounding Mashnee Is. Just as we got to the point where we would be able to see the canal entrance, there were some rocks that the current was really ripping over. We didn't want a forced paddle through the canal at this stage so we swiftly U turned and set our sights south to Wings Neck.
We must have been in the days fishing hotspot as there were plenty of boats out, one was pulling in fish after fish. Looked like Black Bass.
Just at the southernmost tip of Wings neck the chart showed "Traffic Lights". Sure enough there were regular highway style traffic lights controlling boat traffic in the canal. The water around the point was choppy with the reflected waves off the rocks and our conversation became silent as we concentrated on our paddling. Once round the corner we enjoyed calmer seas and the wind behind us as we made our way to Pocasset Harbor. There were a few nice sailboats out enjoying the breeze. We saw plenty of Ospreys, some with chicks in nests as we rounded Bassetts Is. There were a few houses at the north end but Norm had done some research and found that the south end was in fact a public beach. By this time it was 12.30 and we were a little hungry. On the east side of Bassetts Is. a few boats were anchored and there appeared to be a couple on a boat getting ready for lunch on the shady back deck. We hoped to be invited on board for Martinis but no such luck. Ahead of us was one small shady spot which we made a beeline for and enjoyed a relaxing lunch. Norm searched for a geocache but it appeared it was exactly where a small group of people were lounging on the beach.
We had noticed what appeared to be a single house on a small island so we checked it out after lunch. There was a small bridge to the island which we ducked under but the water the other side was 1" shallower than we needed to float. We pushed our way 5 to 10 yds then back in the deep stuff. Our next peninsula to round was Scraggy Neck. It was lined with huge houses and the same choppy confused waters at the tip. As we turned into Megansett Harbor we managed to catch a few small waves, finally having the wind and swell on our side.
As it was early (2.30pm) we poked our noses round the corner into Squeteague Harbor to find the most grandiose house on our trip. The place was huge.
5 minutes later we were back at the Megansett boat ramp and loading up to retrieve Norms truck up at Monks Cove.
We covered 14.75 miles (12.8 nautical miles) in around 4.5 hrs. It was a great trip as I haven't paddled any of those areas before which is one of my reasons for trying to paddle round Cape Cod. The weather was perfect and it was great to have some company on my mid week paddles, Thanks Norm.
Unfortunately I had a stubborn water droplet on my camera lens most of the time so the pics aren't 100 % (some are in fact only 10%!!!)
Cape Cod part 1 Weds 8th June 2011
Moderator: Chip
Re: Cape Cod part 1 Weds 8th June 2011
This is amazing, I can't wait to do a trip like this..
Donna
Donna
Re: Cape Cod part 1 Weds 8th June 2011
Briggsy - I had a great time on the trip. Can't wait for the next leg and hope we get the same type of gorgeous weather next Wednesday.
It's great being with a guide that knows what to look for - I'm so glad you knew how close we were getting to the current that could have pulled us into the canal.
I learned a little about the difference in a hard-chined boat using my Easky 15 instead of the Kayak Sport - not as good taking on the broadside waves, nowhere near as good at surfing and oh so much more work trying to keep a good pace.
No surprise, I've got a few more pictures I'd like to add.
See the comments at the top of each picture.
It's great being with a guide that knows what to look for - I'm so glad you knew how close we were getting to the current that could have pulled us into the canal.
I learned a little about the difference in a hard-chined boat using my Easky 15 instead of the Kayak Sport - not as good taking on the broadside waves, nowhere near as good at surfing and oh so much more work trying to keep a good pace.
No surprise, I've got a few more pictures I'd like to add.
See the comments at the top of each picture.
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- Briggsy at Monks Cove Launch Site
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- Briggsy checking out the rough water and rocks near the canal
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- Some fishermen with rods having great success
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- A tugboat out in the canal channel towing a barge, probably full of oil for the power station in Sandwich
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- The canal traffic lights. How can they see them from way out in the channel?
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- Another Osprey nest that looked like it had babies in it.
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- Houses built up high on pilings across from Bassett's Island, in Pocasset
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- Our little slice of shade on the southern end of Bassett's Island
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- The back side of the lone house on the island we looked at after lunch.
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- I've seen this stone bridge in an earlier trip report. Didn't know I'd see it today.
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- More magnificent stonework at the house that the bridge leads to.
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- I was wondering if this is a mausoleum at the waterfront under this grand house.
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- The back side of the grandiose house.
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- A nice sailboat in Squeteague Harbor
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Re: Cape Cod part 1 Weds 8th June 2011
Thanks for the trip report. Nice pics.
Current Designs Solstice GTS
Placid Boatworks Rapidfire
Placid Boatworks Rapidfire
Re: Cape Cod part 1 Weds 8th June 2011
P&H Quest LV - Yellow/white/blue
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Re: Cape Cod part 1 Weds 8th June 2011
Great report and photos, guys. Looks like you had an awesome day on the water!
Hope to join you for Cape Cod part 2next week.
Bea
Hope to join you for Cape Cod part 2next week.
Bea
Bea
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)