Goose Creek Island Paddle N Party - Part 2

By Friday all the out-of-towner paddlers had arrived, Don, Sandy, Greg, Marianne, Chuck, Beth, Peggy, Steven (with a small motor skiff), Scott made it but a bit later that night. We all sat around visiting, getting to know each other, drinking beer (lots of beer), and eating steamed oysters and boiled shrimp. A couple folks eventually went out to dinner in Aurora, but I was just having too much fun to leave the boatyard.

Our paddle for Saturday was all planned out with a launch at 10am, and lead by Islander’s Zack with assist by John. We were a very varied group of paddlers, dogs, and kayak (see slide show below), some offering history of the area, some identifying bird sounds, all laughing and enjoying each other’s company.




We headed out the channel from the boat yard into Jones Bay, and into a fog that was just beginning to burn off. We paddled across the Bay and headed east into a slight head wind towards a cut called Ditch Creek (which is a much prettier place than the name would have you believe). Ditch Creek is a narrow creek that cuts thru Jones Island and comes out at Bay River on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).

Not many places to land, with lots of salt marsh and sea grass. Just passing the point off Jones Island there was what looked to be a couple of rather large cabins, on a well landscaped property. A turn out this is the Jones Island Hunt Club.  The caretaker not only allowed us to stop and picnic, he offered cans of OFF bug spray. The weather this weekend with its cool mornings and nights left the mosquitoes a bit groggy I think, as they were not much problem for me.

After lunch we paddled down the ICW a ways and turned back to Jones Bay to the Boat Yard, we were passed by a few yachts heading north. And occasionally Shawn would motor out on his pontoon boat checking us out, but more likely just a bit lonely without us all :)  Total trip was 8.19 miles.

Once back, we all enjoyed an Easter egg hunt planned by Chrissy, and some bolo golf (a modification of horseshoes).

That night, we had a real party, and a feast; beer butt chickens cooked on the grill, steamed oysters and shrimp, potato salad, pasta salad, deviled eggs, green and tomato casserole, cole slaw, hush puppies and boatyard crackers. Then after dinner, Islander Gary our DJ started playing and there was dancing and karaoke well past midnight.




Sunday morning, another feast; breakfast casserole, grilled sausage, stewed apples, muffins, juice, coffee. Scott was the first to leave as he had the longest drive back to TN. Marianne and Chuck, with dogs, went out for another paddle. I opted for the pontoon ride exploring more of the ICW North towards the Pamlico River.

All good things come to an end, and people started packing, eating leftovers for lunch, and getting back on the rode. But I’m already planning my return, as I’ve got some unfinished business, paddling around that Island. Maybe this or next weekend.