Archive for March 2008
I added 3 more launch sites tonight, all are on the peninsula, and I have a few more that I’ll add as soon as I can.
Those added today are Buckroe Beach and Sunset Creek in Hampton and Smith’s Landing in York County
I just looked and that bring the number to 50 launch sites, cool…
Well it is that time of the year again…
Tuesday the Kayak and Canoe launch facility at Horn Point will re-open for the season, and as many of you already know this is a great spot to put-in for the Northern end of Back Bay.
For more information go to the Horn Point page at kayakvb.com…
So I resolved the rack problems, and I even got the Tsunami up on the rack, and almost snuck out with the Tsunami on Friday, but the gods conspired against me on that on as usual…
So I mentioned last week that I looked at the P&H Capella 173 at Appomattox River Company as a possible new kayak, but wanted to think about going from plastic to fiberglass. I read just about every review on the Capella I could find, and I could not really find anything negative. I looked at plastic vs. fiberglass, and couldn’t find enough in my mind to say NO to going with a fiberglass kayak, well there is the whole cost thing, but…
So I am now the proud owner of a P&H Capella 173
I have had it out on the water twice, and it is a nice handling boat…
P.S. Anyone looking to buy a Necky Elaho 16 kayak let me know. It is a good kayak, just a little to small for me….
I really did have my heart in it today, I really planned on getting out today BUT…So earlier in the week I went over to Wild River Outfitters to finish of the new Thule Xsporter, I got the Malone SeaWing. looking at it at the store, it looks like it will fit, and the box says will fit “Most Factory Oval Cross Rails” factory being the operative word here, because it will not fit the cross bars on the Thule Xsporter. Back to the Thule Website, looking for the closest dealer who carries Thule water sports rack, and I pull up Appomattox River Company. I give them a call and talk to Vic, and yes they carry the full line of Thule racks, so I jump into the truck and return the Malone to Wild River, and head over the bridge and through the tunnel to Appomattox River Company I go. Needless to say the have everything I need and then some, this is a KAYAK store. They have the part I need, and we make sure it fits, everything looks good. Since the Necky Elaho really didn’t turn out to be the right fit for me, I am still kind of looking for a replacement/upgrade for the Tsunami, I really want more waterline. I ask about the Tsunami 170, the have one on special, and as I am thinking about it, Vic starts talking to me about the P&H Capella 173, and I sit in it, and I think I found my new boat. I am not sure about the whole fiber glass thing, but I think this is the boat…
When: March 30th, 2008 from 9am until 4pm, the park can open at 6am if any clubs desire to use the facilities earlier.
What: An opportunity for outdoor oriented clubs to get together and start the transition into the warmer months with a picnic and a chance to promote their club while having a BBQ & social get together with other clubs (lets have some FUN and learn about other clubs in the area!). Clubs that desire will have the morning to use the facilities for club activities, informational clinics, or to set up a booth with membership information. The park has several covered picnic tables scattered around the area where we’ll have the picnic that will be available for clubs to set up displays & promote their club.
Recreational activities available at the park include 8 hiking trails with scenic overlooks, a mountain bike trail, routes for family biking, an 18-hole disc golf course, basketball and sand volleyball courts, a softball field, horseshoe pits, a large playground and access to the waterways for canoes, plastic vessels and fishing. The park be on Queens Creek which connects with the York River.
Did I hear Picnic? Starting around noon we’ll have a BBQ with Water, Chips,condiments, charcoal and Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Veggie burgers & rolls (until they run out) provided by Appomattox River Company (www.paddleva.com). Clubs or club brethren may wish to bring additional food for the picnic to grill,salads, desserts, drinks (non alcoholic), or other picnic munchies.
Where: New Quarter Park in York County VA – The Park is reserving two of their pavilions (one large & one medium) with large BBQ grills for the picnic- Check the link to York Counties Blueways map or get a hard copy at Appomattox River Companies Yorktown Store or any of the York County Parks
Who: Any local region outdoor oriented clubs that would like to participate and promote their club. Clubs that are being invited to participate so far include
- MAPA – Mid Atlantic Paddlers Association
- Coastal Canoeists
- TKAA – Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association
- WKFA – Williamsburg Kayak Fishing Association
- POL – Pirates o’ Lynnhaven
- CPA – Chesapeake Paddlers Association
- Williamsburg Boat Club (crew team rowing)
- CASK Chesapeake Association o’ Sea Kayakers
- TATC – Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club
- Williamsburg Fowl club
- EVMA The Eastern Virginia Mountainbike Association
- Frisbee Golf Club
- Colonial Road Runners
- Williamsburg Area Bicyclists
- BikeWalk Virginia
- JROC – James River Outdoor Coalition
- Peninsula Bicycle Association
After Saturdays blow fest, gusts to 56 MPH, and even though the initial forecast was only calling for single digit winds, but when I woke actuals were already in the upper teens. I really need to figure out what my issue is with wind keeping me on the shore, I guess I just don’t enjoy fighting it.
Well I think I am just going to have to do some kind of banzai thing one of these days, and get it out of my system. I guess it could be all the other issues in my head, I haven’t been quite right in the head since November, and those who know me, know why.
So to add some color here’s a picture of Nick and Bailey looking at the Northwest River…
And here is Bailey being Bailey…
5
Launch Site Map Updates
0 Comments | Posted by paul in Launch Site Info, Launch Site Updates
I have finally started the re-write of the launch site pages and maps. Don’t know how long it will take.
When I initially wrote the mapping pages, Google maps only had 16 meter resolution aerial views for the majority of Southeast Virginia, and Yahoo had much better aerial/satellite views which is why I went with Yahoo. Now google maps has improved their imagery as well as the application, and the current pages are dated
In a nutshell I plan on adding the ability to get to/from directions, Down-loadable way-points, and a better more stable interface. I am also open to suggestions on improvements.
For all you Kayak Fishermen out there, there is a new resource available, the Pirates Of Lynnhaven whose purpose is to support and promote the sport of kayak fishing on the lower Virginia Coast. Nice looking site, with local fishing information…
The wind on the weekends has been a real major pain lately, calm during the week, and then 20+ on the weekends.
I ran an errand this morning, and was planning on hitting the water, but when I went over a drainage ditch, and saw whitecaps, I pretty much knew the plans were going to change.
Well the wind is supposed to lighten up in the afternoon tomorrow, maybe a quicky down Ashville Bridge Creek is in order… I just realized that February was one of those rare times I missed a trip on Ashville Bridge Creek…
I decided to take kayakvb.info and kayakvb.net and consolidate them. Kayakvb.net was essentially a mirror of kayakvb.com I was going to do some live development there, but thought better of that.
The content at kayakvb.com will stil be the same, no changes there.
