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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Kennedy Compound
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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.
- Hyannis Rock Breakwater
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We actually had to hang out for 5 minutes waiting for boats and ferries to pass before the quick dash across.
- Waiting to cross the road !!
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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.
- Point Gammon Lighthouse
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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.
- Lunch
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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.
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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
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