Originally this trip was planned for the 10th but the grim weather forecast for that day led to a one day delay.( Wednesday actually turned out to be a nice day).
So, Thursday morning at 8.30am the United Nations Kayak team met at the boat ramp at Prince Cove Marina, Barnstable. Nations represented were USA (Norm),UK (Briggsy), Norway (Bea) and Croatia (Josko). The water was calm and flat as we headed out into North Bay, Osterville. At the inlet we had entered last week, the current was slightly against us and we did a left turn to follow the coast. We passed one or two large houses and after a mile or so we could see the long curved sweep of Craigville Beach ahead of us. After a small discussion we ended up heading directly across the bay to Squaw Island rather than following the arc of the beach. Visible way off in the distance was Point Gammon, the other side of Hyannis Harbor.
The wind was coming from the west so we managed to pick up a few swells and we made good time to the breakwater at Hyannisport. We were all trying to locate the Kennedy Compound unsuccessfully but Bea remembered doing a tour or seeing a postcard or something and we think we have the pictures of the houses. It was the place with the largest US flag so I think she was right. The rock breakwater was in bad shape with plenty of gaps in it but not deep enough to kayak across in a fiberglass kayak (!) so we followed it to the end and when we rounded the corner located two channel marker buoys that we would aim for to cross the busy boat channel. These were markers no. 9 and 10. We actually had to hang out for 5 minutes waiting for boats and ferries to pass before the quick dash across. There was a small beach opposite that looked like a good place to stop for a quick break. We landed and all got our snacks out when a woman on the beach told us we were on a private beach. We said sorry and packed up. Our plan was to round Point Gammon before the wind picked up too much and have lunch on the other side. Josko, who was a world famous boardsailer in a previous life, told us that the next few beaches round the point were boardsailer favorite areas and we might do well to keep going round the point. The water was lumpy for a while but as soon as we headed north after Point Gammon, the waves subsided and we coasted in for a well earned lunch on a quiet sandy beach.
We relaxed on the beach for an hour before getting back to it. Bass River was 3.5 miles away so we cruised along the very busy South Yarmouth beaches amazed to see Jetskis, Parasail boats, Banana boats all over the place. There were some nice waves to catch by now as the wind had really picked up. The current ebbing from Bass river wasn't too bad so we decided to paddle up amongst the boats to the Rt 28 bridge where there is a small landing and Deb, my wife, was waiting for us with our shuttle ride. We loaded up quickly and made a stop at the Cape Cod Creamery for delicious ice cream.... I had "Craigville Caramel Crunch"; I was thinking of having the "Monomoy Mud Pie" but I think I'll save that for next week........
We covered 16.3 nautical miles (18.7 miles) and our trip was 6 hrs (9am to 3pm)
Thanks Norm, Bea and Josko for the company, it was another great weekday on the water.
Briggsy
Cape Cod part 5. Thurs 11th August 2011
Moderator: Chip
-
- Posts: 1338
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:03 pm
- Location: Marshfield, MA
Re: Cape Cod part 5. Thurs 11th August 2011
Briggsy,
Thank you for posting another Cape Cod trip, and for providing such great weather and conditions by delaying the trip. I have not had a chance to look at my photos, but will post a few. Unfortunately the camera died before we got to Hyannis Port, so my selection will be limited. I googled the Kennedy Compound, and it is definately the buildings we saw before the long breakwater.
A very enjoyable day with the UN team, and Debbie made the logistics simple by picking us up and taking us to a yummie ice cream place.
Thank you for a great day, everyone!
Bea
Thank you for posting another Cape Cod trip, and for providing such great weather and conditions by delaying the trip. I have not had a chance to look at my photos, but will post a few. Unfortunately the camera died before we got to Hyannis Port, so my selection will be limited. I googled the Kennedy Compound, and it is definately the buildings we saw before the long breakwater.
A very enjoyable day with the UN team, and Debbie made the logistics simple by picking us up and taking us to a yummie ice cream place.
Thank you for a great day, everyone!
Bea
Bea
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)
Re: Cape Cod part 5. Thurs 11th August 2011
Briggsy covered all the details of the trip so I'll just add in some additional shots and a few comments.
Ready to launch at the Prince Cove boat ramp.
Heading out of Osterville.
From a distance, Briggsy and I were wondering what this odd looking thing in the water was...turned out to just be a stick.
Waiting for ferries to go by so we could cross the channel.
Stopping so I could stretch my legs. At this point we had traveled 10.3 miles in 2 hours 45 minutes, only stopping for traffic in the channel.
The woman who found it necessary to come over and inform us we were on private property.
Moving away from Hyannis with more ferry traffic coming in off in the distance.
Josko and Briggsy.
Our lunch stop beach.
Briggsy adding zipper lubricant to Bea's skeg slider rail to get it working more smoothly.
Testing the skeg...much better!
Para-sailing.
I think this is Oceans Club on Smugglers Beach in South Yarmouth.
Entering Bass River. Quite a busy place.
Kite boarders on the other side of a jetty.
We stayed to the side of the river, out of the channel, occasionally paddling under docks.
The route 28 bridge.
The take-out spot with a little marina and kayak rental spot at the public boat ramp.
Briggsy's truck loaded up with 4 looong boats.
Thanks for another great day on the water Briggsy.
Norm
Ready to launch at the Prince Cove boat ramp.
Heading out of Osterville.
From a distance, Briggsy and I were wondering what this odd looking thing in the water was...turned out to just be a stick.
Waiting for ferries to go by so we could cross the channel.
Stopping so I could stretch my legs. At this point we had traveled 10.3 miles in 2 hours 45 minutes, only stopping for traffic in the channel.
The woman who found it necessary to come over and inform us we were on private property.
Moving away from Hyannis with more ferry traffic coming in off in the distance.
Josko and Briggsy.
Our lunch stop beach.
Briggsy adding zipper lubricant to Bea's skeg slider rail to get it working more smoothly.
Testing the skeg...much better!
Para-sailing.
I think this is Oceans Club on Smugglers Beach in South Yarmouth.
Entering Bass River. Quite a busy place.
Kite boarders on the other side of a jetty.
We stayed to the side of the river, out of the channel, occasionally paddling under docks.
The route 28 bridge.
The take-out spot with a little marina and kayak rental spot at the public boat ramp.
Briggsy's truck loaded up with 4 looong boats.
Thanks for another great day on the water Briggsy.
Norm
Re: Cape Cod part 5. Thurs 11th August 2011
I would love to try this someday
Re: Cape Cod part 5. Thurs 11th August 2011
kmbgolf wrote:I would love to try this someday
Keep kayaking, I started off in a 9ft Ocean Kayak Frenzy !!!!
Briggsy
Re: Cape Cod part 5. Thurs 11th August 2011
kmbgolf wrote:I would love to try this someday
From your other posting, it looks like you jumped right into a pretty nice boat and you're on the fast track. You gotta work your way up to the 18 mile open water trips though and be with a good, well prepared group. I wish you luck finding some paddling buddies through this forum.
-
- Posts: 1338
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:03 pm
- Location: Marshfield, MA
Re: Cape Cod part 5. Thurs 11th August 2011
Here are a few of the photos I took that day. My camera died before we got to Hyannis Port, so these images are all taken earlier in the day.
The launch spot:
Prince Cove Marina - a very peaceful place
Briggsy handing out the charts and discussing the route
Passing some huge homes on our way to Hyannis Port
A very calm Nantucket Sound as the wind turns
Thank you for a great day on the water.
Bea
The launch spot:
Prince Cove Marina - a very peaceful place
Briggsy handing out the charts and discussing the route
Passing some huge homes on our way to Hyannis Port
A very calm Nantucket Sound as the wind turns
Thank you for a great day on the water.
Bea
Bea
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)