Kayak Virginia Beach

Break Away From Back Bay - North Landing River - Milldam Creek

After thinking about another attempt at a trip around Long Island on Back Bay, I looked at the recent trip reports, and I realized that I have been doing a lot on Back Bay and no where else. So I thought about it, and it had been a long time, over a year and a half, since I have done a trip to Milldam Creek from Munden Point, and almost a year since I have been to Munden Point kayaking. I guess I rely on Munden as a backup, kind of like Pungo Ferry Road, you always know there will be water there, but because Pungo Ferry Road is closer I guess I end up there.

Water levels were up, to the point that wakes from boats on the river were washing up into the park a bit, and the wind was fairly calm. I opted for a beach launch, I guess because it is easier, and I like easier.

My initial plan was to take the North branch of Milldam Creek, and cross over Milldam Creek, head down the creek to the South of Milldam Creek. Initially the weather looked like it was going to hold out, even though there was a chance of Thunderstorms after noon. A little way up the creek, I started hearing rumbling, but it was very consistent, and regular, so I figured that it must have been coming from Blackwater playing with some new toys.

The first of the Blue Iris are starting to bloom, but they seem smaller then last year, my guess is that these are the initial blooms, and bigger flowers will follow. Yes I know I take to many pictures of the Iris's. I was playing hide and seek with a couple of Otters, pretty sure they were otters, and not Nutria, well at least one for sure 80% sure on the other.

I was all the way up on the upper reaches of the creek, when the wind shifted 180 degrees, the sky got dark, and the temperature dropped at least 5 degrees. When the weather does things like that, it is usually a sign for potentially bad things happening, so I decided to abandon the last part of the trip, and just head back down Milldam Creek.

I really need to get here more often, I really like this creek, very relaxing.