Paddling Blackwater Refuge
Liz Vanden Heuvel
Nine of us
set out on a bright sunny day to explore and learn about the Blackwater
Refuge and its paddling trails. Just as we started out on the
water, a calm day ended with a goodly wind from the north. This
wind caused one couple with a light-weight boat to turn back, but the
rest of us kept going.
We saw some eagles high overhead, blue herons and vultures. Few
shorebirds were in evidence, perhaps due to the wind or their having
already headed south. Migratory ducks and other water fowl have
not appeared yet.
We went up Buttons Creek both to get some respite from the wind and to
find a lunch place. We sat among tall pines, and a pomegranate
tree bearing fruit was spotted.
We returned to the main trail for another hour before heading back to
the put-in. The wind was supposed to be in our favor and carry us
back with little effort but it had diminished greatly and it was cloudy
and cold. I saw an eagle roosting in a tree just after I put my
kayak back on the car!
It was a great group of people to be with and I thoroughly enjoyed
myself, feeling that maybe I'm not too old for this! Come and
join us next time and let us know what trips you would like, and if you
would like to become a trip leader. It's easy!
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