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Posted by Jeff Weber on 08:22:43 12/10/07
There were large rafts of American White Pelicans and all the usual waders the big bay (unnamed, to my knowledge) west of Little Card Sound on Sunday. We launched three kayaks across the road from Alabama Jack's and beat our way north through heavy chop and 15-knot winds on Little Card Sound. I've absolutely got to invest in a spray skirt, as it was sure no fun sitting in 3 inches of chilly wave-blown water for three hours on this trip. But, when we finally found a channel into the bay just south of Mud Point, it all became worthwhile. It was almost flat inside the bay, even though it's big - at least 2 miles long. Paddling through the crystal-clear water under that huge canopy of cloud-studded December sky reminded me why I live down here in the beautiful American subtropics. Though nearly within earshot of Card Sound Road, this was true wilderness, and we had the entire place to ourselves - just three boats on that great expanse of water.
Beating back south on the outside kept us all on edge, as we were nearly broadside to the waves and shipping lots of water. It was only after consulting a chart on shore that I realized we could have exited through a small channel at the south end of the bay while remaining sheltered the whole way.
Of course, we stopped at Alabama Jack's for conch fritters and a couple of cold Red Stripes to celebrate our safe return.
Let's see . . . did I mention birds? Oh yeah, the White Pelicans.
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