Daily stats Start: 8:10 AM - Ocean Springs MS Finish: 3:30 PM - Petit Bouis Island MS Time: 7;20 Daily dist: 25 miles Total dist: x miles Companions: Nick Weather: Windy and overcast Notes: Great day with good company and challenging conditions
What a great day of paddling. I was joined for the first leg of today’s journey by Nick who is one of the folks that showed me around town yesterday. Nick has been paddling for a few years now mostly on the rivers and bayous in the area. He was stretching his skill and experience level a bit today by joining me on a 16 mile coastal run in some pretty strong winds and less than calm seas. He handled the conditions just fine and we had a great time paddling from Ocean Springs down to Pascagoula. This was only the second time in this entire trip that someone has been able to join me on the water. I had to laugh at the fact that both times it was very windy and in conditions that barely allowed me to enjoy someone’s company. We spent the entire morning shouting over the constant rush of the wind which made conversation a bit of a challenge. We got a little bit of everything from wind today. For the first few miles it was directly on our beam which meant waves hitting us broad side washing over our decks and laps. As we rounded Bellefontaine point the waves and wind were quartering in from behind us meaning we had to work a bit to prevent weather cocking. Then still further on the wind was directly behind us providing a good push and surfable waves the last six miles in to Pascagoula. Nick handled the conditions quite well but was very happy to be back on land when we parted ways at a boat ramp in Pascagoula. It was a nice change to have company on the water for a while. It was at the boat ramp that Melissa from South Coast Paddling once again went above and beyond and volunteered to come down to pick Nick up. In order to give me a rare chance to paddle an empty boat for a while, Melissa also hauled down my camping gear. After dropping Nick off, the plan was for me to load up and then paddle only a couple miles out to Round Island to spend the night. Because the strong winds would have meant an upwind crawl to Round Island, I decided instead to run a bit further but across the wind to Petit Bois (Petty Boy) island. Spending the night on Petit Bois also put me in a better position to reach Mobile in a timely manner tomorrow. So after dropping Nick off I headed back out and set a course of 150 degrees and paddled for two hours in exciting quartering winds and choppy seas. It was a fun crossing that tested my skills just enough to keep things interesting. I touched sand on Petit Bois island after two hours of paddling just as the seas were organizing themselves into three foot steep swell, perfect time to be getting off the water. I had heard a lot about the off shore islands in the Mississippi Sound and this island is every bit as beautiful as everyone described. Even on a grey blustery day the sand dunes and grasses combined with shell covered beaches make for a tranquil setting. It took a little searching but I was able to find a low spot behind one of the largest dunes in order to get out of the wind a bit providing for a nice snug camp. Right now I can hear waves crashing on the beach on the other side of the dune along with the sound of buoy bells ringing out in the wind tossed shipping channel beyond. The sound of the bells ringing is a reminder of how rough it is out there which makes camp tonight seem all the more secure. It was an all around great day of paddling with good company and challenging conditions to keep it interesting. Now I hope this wind blows itself out by morning so I can enjoy a steady run East toward Mobile Alabama. Commentslyn stachovak 01/18/2010 8:04:39 am See, I told you there would be a whole new seet of worries for me now that you've reachedthe Gulf. Take care of yourself and don't do anything stupid (like trying to kayak in three foot waves). remember - I want you home in October. Caitlyn Maday 01/18/2010 8:15:44 am Dear,Jake Steven Krause 01/18/2010 8:49:07 am Petit Bois Island. Is Petit Bois not French for Little Woods? Help me out, anyone who ever took French. If so, were there any petit bois on the island? lyn stachovk 01/18/2010 9:24:41 am I'm not up on French - haven't thought about it for over 40 years - since highschool - does come in handy once in a while with crossword puzzles tho. Steve, you're right Petit Bois does mean little woods. Capt. Mitch aka John Michkowski 01/18/2010 11:00:12 am Hey Jake...get used to those waves...your in the big water now. I'm thinking about a rendezvouis on Green Bay with a bunch of people on board watching as you enter the river system in summer...what do you think? Museman 01/18/2010 11:42:17 am You're earning your miles now bro! I bet those guns of yours are geetin' huge! Diging the pics and your story...wish I could be there too! Thom 01/18/2010 1:17:01 pm Your spot reading indicates that you are pinned down my weather today. Hope it clears for you tomorrow and you start getting in some miles again. D. Kirkland 01/18/2010 3:47:46 pm You are getting close to Perdido Key. If you find yourself needing a place to stay let me know. I sent you a number in a PM from the Pensacola Fishing Forum. I am Jamie's (from Baton Rouge) friend on the ICW...between Perdido Pass and Pensacola Pass. I am within site of the Theo Barrs Bridge that crosses the ICW to Perdido Key. We have plenty of room and a hot meal and shower for you if needed. Jenny 01/18/2010 5:07:33 pm Hey Jake, I'm in for the Fox River party. I'm sure we could fill up the Foxy Lady and have a great welcoming party !!! Tom 01/18/2010 5:14:28 pm Hey D. Kirkland aka On the Rocks aka Ultralite, aka Mike, or who ever you are hiding behind or in front of. Tom 01/18/2010 5:16:10 pm I am BT, and ya'll know what that stands for. I have not posted it at out respect of Jakes fears, as he related to me by email. So please note that for this purpose, I am BT. Kellie Stapleton 01/18/2010 5:21:38 pm Jake, when I first read your mission I thought it sounded familiar; maybe a book I'd read? Finally I pulled the book off the shelf.......Nathaniel Stone rowed (yes, facing backwards) almost your same route, but started in NY. His book, "On The Water". I'll read yours too (: Ann Daley 01/18/2010 6:06:40 pm Well, "woods" is "bois" in French, and "boy" is "garçon", but when I put in the actual phrase, "petit bois" into Babelfish, it translated to "glazing bar" in English! Go figure. Bill Strickland 01/19/2010 10:38:45 am Most, if not all, of the Miss. Barrier Islands were wooded at one time. The salt water surge from Katrina killed off most of the tress, but some are coming back now. Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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