JSSKA Sept 15-17
Blog 2006 JSSKA
Some of the JSSKA members braved torrential rains in an attempt to arrive at Island Beach early enough for a pre-trip paddle. In the early afternoon the rain was so intense that many roads were underwater and closed to traffic. By late afternoon the sky cleared and everyone paddled out to the island for the start of what was to be a true environmental learning experience.
As in the past the group was composed of good paddlers with good equipment. This enabled the group to travel farther and faster than most other Sedge users. In addition, the group covered more territory because almost everyone was very EARLY risers. When I got up at 6:00 AM on Saturday, almost everyone was up and many were dressed to paddle. As a result we completed a mile long paddle before breakfast. Eager to explore more of the salt marsh in the Marine Conservation Zone, we set off again well before 8:00 AM. In less than an hour we were beaching our boats on the dike near Barnegat Inlet. On our hike to and from the beach we saw more pelicans than I have seen all summer. On our return trip we decided to explore an area northeast of Sedge along the shore of Island Beach State Park. We paddled into Spizzle Creek, a natural waterway that became more and more narrow until it ended in a series of mosquito ditches. Trying to find our way out without retracing our route we split into three groups, each in a different ditch. Two of these became so narrow and shallow that almost everyone had to haul his or her boat over the salt marsh cord grass to the open water on the bay. Our return to the house by mid-afternoon afforded time to fish (no luck), crab (several blue and several green crabs), and clam (about two dozen which we for got to eat.) Our night paddle began at sunset. We circled Sedge Island, paddled around Marsh Elder island near Pete McLain’s house, and the went around Sedge again in the opposite direction. During the entire night paddle it was so calm that our boats created the only ripples on the water.
On Sunday morning everyone rose early and again we saw the sunrise from the water. Some of the group elected to paddle in the big canoe. With me sitting in the stern calling out commands the group soon had the boat moving and maneuvering well. Others paddled their own boats and everyone enjoyed their pre-breakfast experience. As some of the group cleaned the house others volunteered to help take out the Conservation Zone buoys. This proved to be a great deal of work as many of the buoys were covered with a thick layer of sharp barnacles making them very heavy. This effort was much appreciated and members of the JSSKA have again shown how they are truly “Friends of Sedge.” Thank you Jim Merritt
Some of the JSSKA members braved torrential rains in an attempt to arrive at Island Beach early enough for a pre-trip paddle. In the early afternoon the rain was so intense that many roads were underwater and closed to traffic. By late afternoon the sky cleared and everyone paddled out to the island for the start of what was to be a true environmental learning experience.
As in the past the group was composed of good paddlers with good equipment. This enabled the group to travel farther and faster than most other Sedge users. In addition, the group covered more territory because almost everyone was very EARLY risers. When I got up at 6:00 AM on Saturday, almost everyone was up and many were dressed to paddle. As a result we completed a mile long paddle before breakfast. Eager to explore more of the salt marsh in the Marine Conservation Zone, we set off again well before 8:00 AM. In less than an hour we were beaching our boats on the dike near Barnegat Inlet. On our hike to and from the beach we saw more pelicans than I have seen all summer. On our return trip we decided to explore an area northeast of Sedge along the shore of Island Beach State Park. We paddled into Spizzle Creek, a natural waterway that became more and more narrow until it ended in a series of mosquito ditches. Trying to find our way out without retracing our route we split into three groups, each in a different ditch. Two of these became so narrow and shallow that almost everyone had to haul his or her boat over the salt marsh cord grass to the open water on the bay. Our return to the house by mid-afternoon afforded time to fish (no luck), crab (several blue and several green crabs), and clam (about two dozen which we for got to eat.) Our night paddle began at sunset. We circled Sedge Island, paddled around Marsh Elder island near Pete McLain’s house, and the went around Sedge again in the opposite direction. During the entire night paddle it was so calm that our boats created the only ripples on the water.
On Sunday morning everyone rose early and again we saw the sunrise from the water. Some of the group elected to paddle in the big canoe. With me sitting in the stern calling out commands the group soon had the boat moving and maneuvering well. Others paddled their own boats and everyone enjoyed their pre-breakfast experience. As some of the group cleaned the house others volunteered to help take out the Conservation Zone buoys. This proved to be a great deal of work as many of the buoys were covered with a thick layer of sharp barnacles making them very heavy. This effort was much appreciated and members of the JSSKA have again shown how they are truly “Friends of Sedge.” Thank you Jim Merritt
posted by Sedge Island at 6:09 PM
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