Cape Cod part 12, Weds 2nd Nov 2011

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Briggsy
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Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:59 pm
Location: Sarasota, Florida

Cape Cod part 12, Weds 2nd Nov 2011

Post by Briggsy »

It was a chilly morning at the end of Scudder Lane, Barnstable as we looked out over the harbor where we planned to finish our trip later that afternoon. The "we" consisted of myself, Norm, Bea and Sue. It was 8.30am and there was a stiff breeze blowing and after much hmmm-ing and hrrrr-ing we decided to leave Norms truck at Sesuit Harbor, Dennis in case we needed to bail out of our trip early. The plan was to launch at Rock Harbor, Orleans and paddle to Barnstable Harbor, a distance of around 18 miles. Sesuit Harbor in Dennis was just under halfway. We loaded everything onto my truck and drove to Sesuit where we left Norms truck and continued on to Rock Harbor. Bea made several comments about how far we were driving and that it seemed like a long way to paddle back. We replied that we didn't think she would've come for the trip if she wasn't going to paddle at least 15 miles !! Deb, my wife, dropped us at Rock Harbor and drove my truck back to Barnstable to leave it for us at the end of the trip.
Rock Harbor
Rock Harbor
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I knew Rock Harbor was really shallow near low tide but hadn't realised HOW shallow. It took 15 to 20 mins of paddling in 6" of water to finally make it out to deeper water and when we did get out there there was 2' wind swell coming from the northeast. It wasn't too bad, the swells weren't too close together to make it tough but enough that you had to pay attention.
The Brewster Sand Flats we were paddling past extended over a mile out from shore so it was weird to see tiny houses in the distance, a mile of water away but still only in a foot or two deep water. It seemed we were constantly heading "out" into Cape Cod bay, then along, then out again.....worse than the Monomoy sand flats. There was plenty of bird life and it was a really nice day to be out paddling in November! Other than that it was pretty uneventful, but the waves kept us busy...sometimes flat and other times a bit lumpy. As we approached midday a seal or two popped their heads up but they weren't as curious as they usually are, maybe just the time of year.
Sue and Bea on the high seas
Sue and Bea on the high seas
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The rock jetty of Sesuit Harbor got closer and we decided to stop for lunch on the beach just before it. There were some nice rocks to sit on. we had covered 8 miles and had about 10 to go. Norm had not been feeling 100% from the time we started so he decided to paddle into Sesuit Harbor and drive back down to Barnstable to meet us later.
Bea , Sue and I continued on and after a couple of miles could see the entrance to Barnstable Harbor. It took forever to get there and as we got closer the incoming tide was pushing us in. We ferried across the current to land for a short break on the point, noting that it would make a great campsite!.
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Back in our kayaks we followed the point 'round, passing Sandy Neck lighthouse and the beach homes, then across Barnstable harbor to the take out at Scudder Lane. Norm was there waiting and helped us load up.
We paddled 16 nautical miles (18.4 miles) in total.Thanks Norm, Bea and Sue for coming down to the Cape on a cold Wednesday in November!!
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kayakerjnj
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Re: Cape Cod part 12, Weds 2nd Nov 2011

Post by kayakerjnj »

Another great trip!!

Green with envy :wink:
Paddle with a big smile, its contagious 8)


Jordan
centered
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Re: Cape Cod part 12, Weds 2nd Nov 2011

Post by centered »

A mid-week paddle in November? What a great, unexpected treat! Thanks for the trip, Dave, and all the planniing involved.
Sue
NorwayLady
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Re: Cape Cod part 12, Weds 2nd Nov 2011

Post by NorwayLady »

It was a chilling morning at the end of Scudder lane. The boys are talking about how to safely execute today's plan.
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Briggsy's car is somehow always able to absorb many paddlers and their stuff
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Our launch spot at Rock Harbor
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Heading out in just a few inches of water
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Having some fun in very gentle surf
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A mini-surf landing at a prestine beach
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Nice warm rocks to sit on for lunch
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We are all dressed in cold water clothing
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Paddling past the picturesque Sandy Neck lighthouse
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Back at the take out at Scudder lane
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Kayaking the entire Cape Cod coastline is almost complete except for the shark infested waters off Chatham. I did a few segments, but Norm and Briggsy did them all. Sue being new to seakayaking joined us for the last leg. Looking forward to see what kind of plans Briggsy has for next year!

Thank you for a great day on the water everybody!

Bea
Bea
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norm
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Re: Cape Cod part 12, Weds 2nd Nov 2011

Post by norm »

Paddling around Cape Cod has been a fun experience this summer. Thanks Briggsy for providing me with so many mini-vacations this year! I hope to put together a highlight slideshow over the cold winter months.

For this leg of the trip, I didn't get many pictures. I tried wearing a heavy pair of neoprene gloves that made it difficult to operate the camera...and then I also got a big blotch of something on the lens too.

Here's the few good shots.

Bea and Sue almost ready to launch. Notice the trees marking the channel in the background.

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We tried following the tree-line expecting it to be deeper there, but there were no deep spots. I probably dragged bottom more than the others since my boat has more of a V-bottom and I weigh too much.

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Sue eating lunch.

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Briggsy and Bea eating lunch.

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Briggsy, Bea and Sue.

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Sue reloading her boat after lunch.

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Briggsy reloading his boat after lunch.

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Sorry I couldn't finish this leg with you. I was having a bad day and feeling weak in my upper body after dragging through that sand at Rock harbor. Probably had a fleece jacket on that was too thick also, causing me to overheat too.

Thanks Briggsy for a great summer of paddling trips.
cgr
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Re: Cape Cod part 12, Weds 2nd Nov 2011

Post by cgr »

I barely recognize Bea in her new cold weather finery!

With a gopro on the bow you cold set to take images every 10 or 30 seconds - and use those to make a movie of the whole season.
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