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| Paddling back toward Tybee Island |
Rain and storms continue here along the Southeastern
seaboard and have played havoc with my plans to enjoy the long Labor Day
weekend. On Friday, which I took off, I
planned to paddle around Little Tybee Island, but after paddling about a 1/3 of
the way around it, the rumbling began.
Clouds were building in the west and the rumble was becoming louder, so
I turned around and paddled back to Tybee Island and my car. The storm ended up staying inland and
although I saw a few bolts of lightning, they were all well to the west. Driving back home, I got to drive through the
storm. Below are a few photos from this
trip:
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| My boat on Little Tybee |
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| Marsh seen on Little Tybee |
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| The building storm (to left) |
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| Beach erosion around north end of Little Tybee |
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| Building storm as I paddle back across the channel |
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The lead boat after the second race
Photo inspired by a Winslow Homer painting |
Yesterday afternoon, we decided to see if we could get a
couple of short races in before a series of storms moved into the area. Joe, Duane and I sailed well despite the
mishap on the first race. The wind was
shifty and instead of crossing at close-haul, we were on a reach. If this had been a competitive race, we would
have protested as we were closed out at the starting gate by a windward boat
who did not give us room (if there is an overlap, they are required to give
room). At the last minute, we had to
back off and not only did we hit the pin but because of a strong tide that was
pulling the pin from its anchor, our rudder became tangled in the anchor
line. We pulled the rudder off the back
of the boat and freed the line. That was
the easy part. It took Joe and I a good
five minutes to reattach the tiller as the water was really choppy, combined
with strong shifty winds and a heavy tide. I am not sure why we didn’t secure the boom. The boat, without the rudder, continued going
in circles (we did several 360s in trying to get the rudder reattached). Once it was reattached, I stood up just as
the boat jibed and was pounded by the boom which hit me beside the head. I had a headache the rest of the day. The good news is that even though we were
well behind once we were underway, we caught up with the rest of the boats at
the leeward mark after a flawless spinnaker run. In the second race, we easily took second as
a series of squalls moved through with pounding rain. Those on the committee boat decided that was
enough and we all headed in, soaking wet.
I wouldn’t have been any wetter if that boom had knocked me out of the
boat.
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A kayak trailer?
Two guys heading out for a weekend camping/fishing trip on Little Tybee |
Now it’s Labor Day and the rumble of thunder has been heard
since early this morning. I think I’ll
spend the day resting, reading some, and maybe taking in a movie or watching
some tennis. I don’t think I’ll try to
go back out on the water…
You have the best of adventures, and Tybee Island is one of my most favorite of memories. Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary there a few years back, it was a dream come true adventure. We spent most days touring about Savannah too, which was the icing on the cake for me! Enjoy your Labor Day!
ReplyDeleteIf the two of you make it down this way again, let us know. We'll have to get together.
DeleteWe've had some rain here finally. Lana and went down to the Abita Creek yesterday. It wasn't running but the pools were large and pretty deep so there is good news.
ReplyDeleteGlad you received some rain, Charles, which we could send you some more! Our end of the island received 19 inches in August!
DeleteI admire people like you who have the confidence to go out on the water. I love watching the waves, but I don't get much more involved that that.
ReplyDeleteGo for it! Although there is a part of me that loves the desert, the other part of me enjoys being on the water.
DeleteWhat a beautiful marsh! What kind of bird is that?
ReplyDeleteI think it is a white egret, but I didn't get close enough to make sure
DeleteWe have had glorious rain all weekend off an on here too. I didn't do much more than catch up on rest, for the most part, and it has felt great.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your getting rain in Montana, Chris.
DeleteThat was quite a sail with all that weather! And you caught up with the other boats. Wish we had some of your rain. 90 here today and for the rest of the week. :-(
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had much hot weather lately, with highs only in the 80s or to 90.
DeleteI really like your photos and your red kayak looks so nice. I hope you had a nice relaxing Labor Day. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThe red makes it more photogenic!
DeleteMy goodness, Sage. Your sailing adventures sound more exciting than advanced level river rafting. I'm glad you stayed safe and dry on Labor Day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, though.
You know, I'm kind of a snob. I've never spent much time in rapids on a raft, but when I was younger paddled a few class five rapids in a kayak.
DeleteI'm envious, that was some pretty scenery.
ReplyDeleteIt is a blessing to live here!
DeleteJust think your missing a whole string oh high 80 degree with 75%+ humidity back this way--to be honest Jeff I'd almost trade you that hit in the head for some rain brought on by a cold front. Though it sounds like you 3 sailors were hitting on all cylinders once your anchor line mishap was fixed. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteWe have mostly been in the upper 80s but with humidity that might drop to 75 in the afternoon only to rise into the 90% range at night! We did have a pretty good run on Sunday!
DeleteLovely photos! Sorry the weather spoiled your plans!
ReplyDeleteIn a way, the weather makes better stories!
DeleteAre all these islands that you paddle out too public property? I imagine most are uninhabitable but always wonder who owns them.
ReplyDeleteMost of it is public, but there are a few private areas on some of the islands (Wassaw has a 50 acre private holding and Ossabaw has a private holding, both from long-term owners who have turned the land over into wildlife refugees. I am not sure about Little Tybee, but there are no buildings, etc, on the islands (it isn't just one island) that I could see.
DeleteMy son is going to Tybee island for a field trip in a couple of months. Looks like a nice place!
ReplyDeleteIf you come down with the class, let us know!
DeleteMy Labor Day was uneventful. I wrote. And edited. And revised. And wrote some more. :P It would have been nice to have a kayak adventure and to spend some time on that pretty beach. Even with the rain. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of these days, we're going to have to get you out on a kayak!
DeleteMy Labor Day was uneventful. I wrote. And edited. And revised. And wrote some more. :P It would have been nice to have a kayak adventure and to spend some time on that pretty beach. Even with the rain. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, loved the pictures of the island. Looks like quite the adventure was had.
ReplyDeleteIt was good!
DeleteStill, it looked like you had some real fun.
ReplyDeleteI think that tow is insane, and not in a good way like jumping out of a perfectly good plane supported by fabric gauged in denier. No, insane in the way that'll cause rescue people to be called. Suppose a gust took the thing. It would scud over the water like a ping-pong ball sending the canoe heel first like a drogue.
that tow was totally insane. He was able to carry more stuff on his boat than I can in mine, but then I have been a backpacker and know that the more you carry, the more of agony one endures. And pulling that crap (balloon/sail) behind you on a kayak does seem like trouble
DeleteBeautiful pictures. It rained a lot down here during Labor Day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. It rained a lot down here during Labor Day.
ReplyDelete