A Turkey's Post Turkey Day Paddle

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Birdseye
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A Turkey's Post Turkey Day Paddle

Post by Birdseye »

Friday was a beautiful day to paddle albeit a bit on the windy side. The plan was to meet Chip at Nelson beach in Plymouth for a paddle into Kingston Bay and up the Jones River. Getting my gear together was not quite as automatic a task as it was during the summer months and I had to stop numerous times to think about what I was bringing and make sure I had everything. Obviously Chip was having the same issue because when I arrived at Nelson Beach he informed me that he had forgotten his spray skirt. The wind was definitely up; a constant stream of small waves washed on the shore and the whitecaps filled the ocean's surface so a spray skirt was a neccessity.

I told him I had a spare at home and he was still game to paddle so we adjusted our plans a bit. We decided to put in at Howland's Landing in Duxbury and make a straight shot across Kingston Bay to the Jones River. So after a quick ride back to my house to pick up the sprayskirt we made it to Howland's by 12:00 PM a mere 30 minutes past our original launch time.

Before heading out I took a look at the chart to see if it could help me spot the opening of the Jones from where we stood but it looked like we'd just have to get a little closer before we'd know for sure. A man who was passing the time of day by the water's edge overheard our conversation and gave us a rough idea where to look for the opening. He moors his boat here in the summer and has done some trout fishing on the Jones. We thanked him and headed on our way.

The wind was blowing at a steady 10 kts from the NW with an occasional gust of 15-20 to make things interesting. I took a few waves over the deck but for the most part the crossing was uneventful. After passing Cripple Rocks as the man at the ramp had suggested, we could see the opening to the Jones to our left and headed in that direction with the wind at our backs now rather than our beam.

As we entered the Jones it was surprising to still see a few boats moored. We passed by a boat ramp that looked to be a good put in for another access point to Kingston Bay and the Jones. It appears to be at the end of River St. in Rocky Nook, Kingston. We continued along the winding waterway towards the Rt 3 Bridge. The wind had decreased considerably and the paddling was easy. The Great Blue Heron were abundant today and we surprised one as we passed by. He squawked disagreeably at us as he took flight, a sound I had never heard from a Blue Heron before. Around another bend we saw three more take flight, squawking at us like the others. When we reached the Rt. 3 bridge I pulled out my camera for a shot. I've been having some problems with my camera lately and they continued today as well. After a few missed shots and bad lighting I decided to put it back in the dry bag for the remainder of the trip.

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<img src="http://pidgeoncoop.freeservers.com/kayaking/images/jones1.jpg" border="1"></center>

The river turned left at Landing Rd and we continued on past the Pottle St and Rt. 3A bridges. The river narrowing now and a noticeable opposing current was beginning to build. We passed by a few houses whose lawns grew right down to the water's edge. Chip and I both agreed this would be a great place to spend a summer's evening. Before too long numerous small eddies appeared which made the paddling a bit more interesting and the trees from both sides of the river created a canopy over us. It became like an obstacle course dodging the outstretched tree limbs and fighting the increasing current and eddies.

<center><img src="http://pidgeoncoop.freeservers.com/kayaking/images/jones2.jpg" border="1"></center>

We decided to take a break for a snack and rafted up together near the bank and in the process the current had us turned back down river. After our brief stop Chip lead the way and I watched as he maneuvered his boat back upstream in the tight quarters. I was unable to make the turn so I let my stern drift into the current and it pulled me around in the right direction.
We paddled further until the tree dodging and eddy hopping got old. We could see a small waterfall a short distance ahead which explained the current and at this point we decided to head back. Sticking our bows into the middle of the river the current whisked us back towards home. I began to guide my boat back through the obstacle course with only a stern rudder when I heard Chip holler at me from behind. I pulled into an eddy and looked back to see Chip waste deep in water standing next to his boat. Maneuvering once again into the current I paddle back to see what happened. He mentioned something about trying to help a small child and in the process became separated from his boat. A likely story I'm sure but you can ask him for the details the next time you see him :wink: . Anyway, we tried to empty his boat of water, which wasn't a particularly easy task given the condition of our surroundings but we got it done.

Needless to say, the paddle back was much quicker and the conditions in the Bay had subsided some but this time our crossing was up wind. We were about three quarters of the way back across Kingston Bay before we recognized the put in and had our boats back in their respective racks by about 3:00 PM. All in all it was a great paddle and a beautiful day for it. Thanks Chip for agreeing to come along.
Last edited by Birdseye on Tue May 01, 2007 1:22 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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kayakerjnj
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Wish I could have joined you guys

Post by kayakerjnj »

Sounds like a great day on the water, less the empty out :)

I hope to be winter paddling soon with you guys.

Cheers,

Jordan
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Todd
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Post by Todd »

Great report Birdseye, and typical of Chip to sacrifice himsellf for the small child. We come to expect that from him. Sounds alot like the time Sue was out with Pat, and she stopped to help another child in distress. Noble people, those Turkeys.
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Chip
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Post by Chip »

Just to set the record straight, there was no small child to save. :wink: Nelson was being kind. After we turned to head back, I was maneuvering under a dead tree and got my bow caught between 2 small trees in the water. I figured I could back paddle out and let the river take me down backwards and I would turn around in an eddy further downstream. The current was too strong and I couldn't release myself quick enough and got my bow pinned. Before I knew it I was rolling over so I stuck my paddle in the bottom of the river and tried to right myself. The current was pushing in the same direction as I was so I couldn't get any leverage. Since my head and most of my torso was dry, I decided to pop the skirt and abort. The water was pretty chilly but I was wearing my wetsuit so it wasn't bad after the initial shock. I have to say, it is pretty difficult to empty your boat in moving water. The shoreline was overgrown and a little steep. With Nelson's help and the bilge pump we got enough water out. Nelson held my boat steady as I climbed in. Lost my snack but otherwise came out fine. Now I know why whitewater boats are not 17 feet long. I gained a new respect for moving water.
This was a day I probably should have stayed home. First, I forgot my skirt, then a dunk in the Jones River. I also broke the clip that holds my rudder in place. :(
All in all it was still a good paddle. Thanks for putting up with me Nelson. :D
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Todd
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Post by Todd »

You're still a noble guy Chip.
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