Woke up at 6:30 excited to start the 6-day paddle expedition around Cape Sable Island. We packed up our camp, traveled to our launch spot, and equipped the canoes. Since we would not be encountering any fresh water during the 6 days we would be paddling, we started off the trip carrying with a quarter ton (450 pounds) of water. Our canoes were ladened down with bottles of every kind. We loaded the heaviest of our gear towards the mid/back section of our canoe, which proved very helpful when we later were paddling against a strong headwind. After saying our final good-byes to Tom the “Swamp Ape” we pushed off.We first traveled up the Buttonwood Canal to Coot Bay. From Coot Bay we paddled up the Tarpon Creek to Whitewater, a huge body of brown, brackish water.
On the banks the mangroves created an impenetrable wall of plant. They grow on no solid ground but were propped on “stilt-like” roots.
Around noontime we pulled our canoes over to the banks to enjoy a fine lunch of summer sausage, cheese, mustard, and tortillas. Our spirits were revived, and we continued on our 10 mile journey.-Connor Mertz
Great pix
ReplyDelete