This is a picture of cormorants sitting in a tree on the south Dumpling island. It is about two thirds the distance to Fishers Island, from where we launched at Shenacossett. I needed to wash the sun block off my face because it kept running in my eyes and burning them. I had b been navigating big water in a little kayak around big boats nearly blind and in pain. While we were on the south Dumpling, we scouted for the perfect stones to use for hot stone massages and put them in our kayaks to journey with us. Yes, we too wondered at the wisdom of that.This link hopefully will show you Fishers Island in relationship to the Connecticut coast. We didn't actually 'disembark' on Fishers Island, we pulled up to a beach and I touched my paddle to shore. It was too late in the day to explore and we had to turn around, it was a long way back ato Groton.
(above)My darling on south Dumpling. He's so cute in his kayak skirt. (below) This is where we pulled in to swim. I was out swimming when I took this pic.
We've pulled onto the island where we swam and played. Paul went out to look for our friends who were going to meet us for lunch in their sailboat. They were just pulling in to moor. After they anchored they came and got us in the dingy and brought us back to the boat for lunch and a few glasses of wine. Nice. And then we all came back to the island to do a bit more swimming before Paul and I headed out again to finally arrive at Fishers Island. It was less than 30 minutes to the right. I can't remember what this island is called - Hangman's Bluff, or Flatend Iron or something crazy.
Our friends' boat, with the little red dingy to the side of it. Looks like they were headed our way in the dingy.
I wish I could remember where we were when Paul took this. All I know is that it was before lunch, since I put something on that would keep me warm when we took off after lunch. I was afraid it was going to start getting chilly on the way back since it would be evening time and there would be a significant amount of spray. I can't tell by the land where we are here, either. I want to say thats Fishers Island up ahead, but I'm not sure. That would put us at the beginning of our journey, and I thought these pics were taken somewhere along the way.
I really don't know where I am.
This is the end. We've just completed our journey and are about 100 feet away from the boat launch at Shenacossett. I asked Paul to snap a pic of me in relation to the land mass behind me, which would be the now infamous Fishers Island. The water here is very calm in comparison to what we had out there. Altogether it is about 6 miles round trip as the crow flies, but we probably went 7 miles easily. Unlike running, or hiking or biking, where you can stop and rest if you need, you can't stop in a kayak - you'll drift to antarctica. That was a little intimidating, and talk about commitment. Once you start, you CANT stop until you are finished, until there is a place to pull in to. And if you aren't FINISHED finished, you best be sure you've stopped at a place where you can get back into the kayak. But once you're out there, you're out there.
We've pulled onto the island where we swam and played. Paul went out to look for our friends who were going to meet us for lunch in their sailboat. They were just pulling in to moor. After they anchored they came and got us in the dingy and brought us back to the boat for lunch and a few glasses of wine. Nice. And then we all came back to the island to do a bit more swimming before Paul and I headed out again to finally arrive at Fishers Island. It was less than 30 minutes to the right. I can't remember what this island is called - Hangman's Bluff, or Flatend Iron or something crazy.
Our friends' boat, with the little red dingy to the side of it. Looks like they were headed our way in the dingy.I wish I could remember where we were when Paul took this. All I know is that it was before lunch, since I put something on that would keep me warm when we took off after lunch. I was afraid it was going to start getting chilly on the way back since it would be evening time and there would be a significant amount of spray. I can't tell by the land where we are here, either. I want to say thats Fishers Island up ahead, but I'm not sure. That would put us at the beginning of our journey, and I thought these pics were taken somewhere along the way.
I really don't know where I am.This is the end. We've just completed our journey and are about 100 feet away from the boat launch at Shenacossett. I asked Paul to snap a pic of me in relation to the land mass behind me, which would be the now infamous Fishers Island. The water here is very calm in comparison to what we had out there. Altogether it is about 6 miles round trip as the crow flies, but we probably went 7 miles easily. Unlike running, or hiking or biking, where you can stop and rest if you need, you can't stop in a kayak - you'll drift to antarctica. That was a little intimidating, and talk about commitment. Once you start, you CANT stop until you are finished, until there is a place to pull in to. And if you aren't FINISHED finished, you best be sure you've stopped at a place where you can get back into the kayak. But once you're out there, you're out there.We stopped at Fred's Shanty on the way home - a little burger/seafood joint along the water where you eat outside, that I've enjoyed for thirty years now. It was the perfect way to wrap an exhausting day up. Something new and adventurous, and something old and comfortably familiar. We giggled when we got home because when we sat down we still felt like we were bobbing. Took some ibuprofen and had no problem falling asleep.
This morning came early - up at 4:30 to beat the traffic through Worcester and Lowell so I could get to Portsmouth for 8 am. Wasn't too sore, but still felt wiped out. Came home and washed the kayaks - my chore since I am too short to help load and unload them from the roof of the car. Unpacked our gear and sorted it and put it away. Did some laundry that didn't get done yesterday. Then Sean had something he had to tell me.
He begged to go to Lane's for supper because what he had to tell me he wanted to do in a public place. Well, truth is, I was already in my pajamas, so no go. He could tell me or not, right there on the deck. He finally broke down and told me that he has traffic court tomorrow. He got a speeding ticket, or I should say a 'reckless driving' charge, for speeding. Thats pretty serious. Especially when one is still only 17. Well I didn't get mad. I had just conquered Long Island Sound, right? The police officer told Sean he was going 90. I know Sean, and I know the truck he was driving, and I'm sorry folks. Thats a no go. The police officer didn't use a radar, so what was he basing that on? And who was the floozy that was in the police officer's car who came to Sean's window with the police officer? Sean said she was dressed like she was going to a club. I've got a whole nother post about small town police officers that will be coming very soon. It's not just in the movies. But meanwhile, I've got to go to traffic court with Sean tomorrow morning and gave him a good what for because he did not tell me earlier, the schmuck. He said he was scared, I told him to grow a backbone. I needed to know this a lot earlier than now. If God is good, he WILL have children.
Wait.
That might not work in my favor.
Peace
2 comments:
Looks like an AWESOME! Trip. Good job!! You made it out alive and whatnot.
X
I'm proud of you. Amazing accomplishment! I hear you roar. Cool pictures and story, thanks for sharing it!
Sean update?
Post a Comment