Rice Creek Swamp Paddling

On the beautiful, warm, sunny early fall afternoon of Saturday, September 30, Jan and I drove to Rice Creek near Wilmington NC.  We put in the water at the NC Wildlife Commission boat ramp for Rice Creek. The creek borders and wends through a swamp. We encountered only one tree…


 
 

Tropical Storm Coastal Hiking

On September 22, 2023, Craven and Carteret Counties were in a tropical storm. It was not quite a hurricane, but there were strong winds and heavy rains. It was not the most conducive weather for hiking, but I had cabin fever from enduring too many months of forced indoor recuperation.…


 
 

Canoe and Kayak Logistics

For the last week, September 14 through 20, Jan and I  engaged in multiple paddle logistics activities.  After one and a half years in New Bern and trading five boats, I have settled on a 15-foot solo/tandem canoe; and a 16.5-foot ocean-going kayak. Both can carry enough gear for multi-day…


 
 

Swift Creek at Cool Springs

On the warm day of June 24, 2023, I accompanied the Twin Rivers Paddle Club, of which I am a member, on a leisurely paddle trip on Swift Creek near Cool Springs, NC.  The weather was alternately sunny and high clouds.  We put in at the NC Wildlife Resources Commission…