Start: 7:00 AM- Fort Monroe, VA
Finish: 4:30 PM - Oyster, VA
Time: 9:30
Daily dist: 32 miles
Total dist: 3000+ miles
Companions: Vic Sorensen for the first hour and a visit with Kayak Kevin at noon
Weather: Absolutely perfect weather warm and glassy smooth
Notes: 20 mile crossing of entrance of Chesapeake
This morning Vic gave me a ride back to the Fort Monroe boat ramp where we pulled out last Sunday. Both of us launched again and Vic accompanied me for the first few miles of the day. After we parted ways I set a course of 60 degrees and paddled toward a flat watery horizon in search of land on the other side of the bay.
A few hours later after enjoying perfect weather and very smooth water I arrived at the eastern end of the Chesapeake bridge tunnel. There waiting for me on the other side, on his way out fishing, was Kayak Kevin whom I mentioned I met the other day when he stopped by to go over the local navigation charts with me. Kevin and I chatted for a few minutes then I continued north once again toward the tiny town of Oyster Virginia.
Oyster isn’t much more than a boat ramp, a few houses, and a seafood receiving center. I pulled out there and got comfortable while I waited for Vic to arrive in his truck. Our plan was for Vic to drive up after work and for us to stay in a motel then he would launch with me in the morning and paddle with me again for a couple hours. While I waited for Vic I struck up a conversation with a local Oyster resident named Larry who lives in a tiny boat tied up on one of the docks near the town boat ramp. Larry is a colorful character, a bit rough around the edges, but interesting enough to talk to. He shared some of the iced tea he had but wasn’t interested in the cookies I offered him because they wouldn’t go with beer.