2019 - Post 15 - Is this the last club paddle for the year?

There was a club paddle scheduled for Sept 7 in Aquaforte; which seems to generally be the last club paddle for the calendar year.  The wind was forecast to be up in the afternoon and so it was cancelled.

On Friday afternoon Hazen and I were doing a short hike and he mentioned that maybe we should do a club paddle out of St. Philips in the morning, before the wind came up.  Good idea, buddy... He started walking around with his phone looking for a signal... he sent out an email, but wasn't sure if it got out and so found a signal further down the path and call President Dave to see if he received it... Yep, message received.

Saturday morning eleven of us congregated in St. Philips for a planned 9:30 put-in, with plans to paddle up to Portugal Cove, and back by noonish.  

Some pics to share...

Although it wasn't a long paddle, when we got to Portugal Cove we took out on a beach for a little leg-stretch and chat before heading back to St. Philips.

After the paddle half of us stopped at Bobby's (on the way back into town) for some paddle talk, refreshments, and eats... 

I don't know why we don't do this paddle more often as a club paddle.  It's a short drive for most of us to and from, and can be done in less than three hours, and that's taking our time with a beach break...

Anyway, it was a great idea Hazen... keep 'em coming.

2019 - Post 14 - Cupcake Tripping

On the weekend past five of us decided to do a little overnight kayak trip to Great Colinet Island.  I checked my log-book and the last time I was there was November 25/26, 2017!! You can check out that overnight trip by clicking HERE.

We arrived at Admirals Beach at noonish and took our time packing up the kayaks...  Well, some people packed the gear while some fueled up with pizza...

It was foggy enough that we couldn't see Great Colinet Island from the put-in beach. It's not a long crossing (maybe 1.5 kilometres), but we chose a bearing that would take up more or less directly across from Admirals Cove. 

Clyde

Brian ans Sue

We had a bit of headwind and conditions as we paddled down to Mosquito Cove, where we got out for a little break and stretch, although, per my GPS, we had only paddled less than five kilometers at this point.

The sun was out and the fog was trying to dissipate.  We discussed our options.  We would have preferred to camp in Wild Cove, but with the southerly wind we weren't convinced a safe landing on the beach in Wild Cove would be possible.  The plan was to get in our kayaks and paddle maybe another kilometer to see what conditions were like the further south we went, and then would decide to either carry on or come back to Mosquito Cove for the night....

We got on the water, paddled a ways, and decided against Wild Cove...

Back in Mosquito Cove we made camp and relaxed for a while before supper.  Brian fried up some very tasty treats (can't recall what it was called) for everyone and Sue took the roll of waitress and brought them to us as we sat in our chairs... (if anyone local is reading this, do remember to invite this couple on all your camping trips...)

Sue, Brian, and Clyde

Alison

We walked down the beach a little ways and made our suppers near one of the cabins, protected from the bit of wind.

Next thing I knew, Alison thoughtfully produced a cupcake, complete with decoration and candle, for my upcoming birthday...

With our bellies full, and the pre-Bday celebration over, we gathered up a bit of wood that was lying around the beach and had a nice little evening fire.

Clyde

Alison had brought some Jiffy-pop popcorn, which became the source of entertainment in the attempted making of, but was of little satisfaction to the taste buds.... Shane is never around when his pop-corn making skills are required....

Alison

The morning was sunny and still.

Breakfast was oatmeal for everybody, and there were raspberries nearby, ripe for the picking for those inclined... 

The plan for the day was to paddle across to, and down into, Shoal Bay. 

A couple of anxiously waiting Nordkapps

Sue and Brian

Alison

In the bottom of Shoal Bay, Clyde, Alison, and I took out on the beach for a little stretch while Sue and Brian waited...

From the beach in Shoal Bay we followed the coast back around the headland and then back up to Admirals Beach...

Clyde's paddle tip....

Brian and Sue

Alison and Clyde

Great Colinet Island has always been a fun little trip for kayak overnighters.  There is camping to be had at Regina, Mosquito Cove, or Wild Cove, so you have options depending on the winds direction and the sea state.  

Thanks to Brian, Sue, Clyde, and Alison for making this another fun little trip...