Sorry about being so late on this trip report, but I have been paddling and working other projects.

On August 12th, seven of us set out from Sea Wolf park for a 12 to 13 mile circumnavigation of Pelican Island. Of the 7 kayaks, 3 were strip built wood kayaks and of the 7 paddles used, 4 were Greenland style.

Our launch site was the slippery rocky Northwest side of the park. At about 9 A.M. we headed North to the old concrete ship, the ‘Selma‘. After looking that over for a while, we noticed a pretty large thunderstorm headed our way, so we made for land to wait it out. After raining on us for a bit, the cell moved off to the north and we were once again on our way. We headed North to the intercoastal waterway where we turned West across the top of the Island. After Looking at a bunch of Barges and Tugs, we exited the ICW and turned our kayaks South along the Western side of the Island. At about 11:30, we stopped for lunch on a sea shell beach, well past the half-way point. Sitting around, eating and shooting the breeze, it was a very nice and relaxing lunch break. The wind was picking up a bit as we headed on South to go under the Pelican Island bridge and into the ship channel. The water conditions just before the ship channel was pretty choppy with reflected waves confusing the situation.

Things calmed down a bit as we crossed under the bridge and proceded into the ship channel. Boy, there are some big ones in there!

In the picture above, you can see a Cruise ship. We evedently got too close, (gotta stay 150 yards away) and the harbor patrol stopped a couple of us to let us know that bit of information. It looks to me like 150 yards would mean that we might just have to portage around it on the other side of the channel. Clearly, pleasure boats and shrimp boats were gettin’ much closer than we were. I think we were just easier to catch up to. I guess we were just too busy watching Dolphins to really worry about stationary vessels.
Further along the channel, there are resturants, other ships and tour boats to see. A lot of off-shore oil rigs were in various stages of being overhauled and re-build. After passing the Yacht basin, we again crossed to the north side of the channel to stay clear of the ferry boats. They were pretty busy and kicking up some pretty big chop with their wakes and reflected wakes. This was just across the channel from the park. Proceding on around, we hit the launch area at about 2 P.M.

Great day with great people to paddle with!

Take care..

Tony Olsen