Stewards of the White Oak River Basin Current Events

CCCKC Paddle Yesterday was a perfect day to paddle from Smyrna to the Harkers Island Bridge. People started arriving at the put-in at 9AM, seven total were here by 9:30. Set up a shuttle and were on the water a 9:55. We paddled out of Middens Creek, making a slight SE turn, out into Jarrett Bay. No current to speak of but we had a slight NE wind of about 5 KTS at out backs. Paddling through Great Marsh Creek and west of Bells Island we passed Tusk Creek. Old rustic working Fish House on the right as we passed. Osprey nest in a tree and one on the end of an old dock, the middle of the dock was washed away in a long ago storm. Shore birds of all kinds were seen along the way as well as the whirl of Jumping Mullets. Around 11:30 we entered Core Sound and rounded the point of the community of Marshallburg. Making a sharp right, we were now headed into the Straits. A little side trip up Sleepy Creek, we visited the disputed Marshallburg Harbor. Ownership of the Harbor is beings argued and has been in the papers. On to Browns Island were we stopped for lunch and chance to stretch our legs. After a short break, back on the water with a good current flow with us, we were on our way to the Bridge. What a nice paddle, beautiful day with wind and current with us, we arrived at the Bridge at approximately 1:30. Paddles were as follows: Julia Miner, Cal Hansen, Bob Bardeaux, Carol Traxel, Elmer Eddy, Kate Jackson and trip leader, Al Morris.