Golden Moments
It was a somber atmosphere Saturday morning when I cast off before 9: gray skies and brown marsh, in stark contrast to the blue skies and golden marshes of my last sail, seemingly a long time ago. Water covered
Sparkling Surprises
The view at the deserted landing was spectacular: a low sun was blazing and reflecting off the moving water. It was blowing already from the northeast – small craft advisory, and Kingfisher is on the small end of qualifying in that category. Weather reports had quite a wide range, from 10-15 knots to 20-25 knots.
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Feeling fall
The sunrise would arrive a little after seven. A cloud bank in the east held the sun’s emergence a little longer, and was illuminated from behind, looking like some craggy Patagonian mountainscape. I would return later with Kingfisher to launch for a sail out toward Bull Island. Along the ecotone just above the marsh flying
Turning of the Tide
Early morning at Garris Landing; you have to be early if you are heading out to Cape island with the loggerhead program crew. I was earlier than the rest of the crew, and found the automatic gate to the landing closed. I parked and walked in to take a look at the 5:30AM sky. In
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Nice Day for a Circumnavigation
July 7, 2012. Marine forecast: SW 10-15 knots, with 15 knots later. I arrived down at the landing at 1PM, and was disappointed to find that the sea breeze had not filled in yet. The heat and humidity approached oppressive. South down the ICW, a neighbor’s flag was limp. Further to the south, beyond Garris
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A Night for Alligators
Uncertainty loomed: on the horizon, where the skies above Bull Island appeared dark and threatening, and on our skiff, where the engine over-revved when we tried to plane off. Fortunately, the motor issue resolved, and we continued
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A Little Wind
After the run to the recycling center, I made a quick stop to take a look at the landing. I knew already: a fine NNE wind, puffy cloud skies, these conditions called me to sail.
On Sandy Hook
On May 10 I was driving from Tinton Falls, New Jersey toward the coast, riding the edge of a front that had been dumping rain over the east coast for the past 24 hours. Blue sky was trailing and being pulled toward the coast
Lumber River adventure
Meeting a friend in the middle between Portland and Awendaw could be a challenge, but since my friend Rand was visiting in Carrboro, NC it was not so bad. As is our custom, we typically get together for one “adventure” each year, usually paddling a Carolina river. Rand has a passion for adventure
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Puzzle of the Cape Islands
Once again, an annual ritual had arrived – the building of sea turtle hatcheries, sized for loggerhead turtle hatchlings, on Cape Island. I accompanied a mixed crew of US Fish and Wildlife staff and volunteers led by the manager of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Sarah Dawsey, on the “Pacman” through the marshes and bays
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Reunion
I made my preparations for heading out to Bull Island early one Sunday morning. In my yard the leaves of oak trees were still; the reverberation of the island’s surf wafted through the air. Both were indications of no wind as yet. Kingfisher’s deck
A Walk with Ed
(Please note this imagined day is a departure from non-fiction). I am glad I am finally getting to guide you on this sail over to Bull Island, and take you around an amazing place, Ed. I made this offer to you years ago, and it is finally happening. Our time together has been occasional, mostly
