TRIP REPORT:
This is a great beginner trip for novices or families (easy paddle with rental gear available) and the staff at the Outfitters are very friendly and helpful. Even for the more experienced kayaker, it makes a nice leisurely trip with many great places to take a rest, have lunch and a swim.
Three club members, Lisa, Frank and Soca the dog, and one guest, Holly (who made a cameo appearance at the sand bar) enjoyed this trip. We launched from the Outfitters at Kayak Amelia and headed north toward the Nassau Inlet. The paddle was easy as the tide was outgoing and the wind was mostly to our backs. We paddled straight through to Bird Island, enjoying our conversation, the marsh views and watching numerous water birds search for food. Once there, we immediately took a swim and enjoyed the cool water. Lunch, along with Tinto Verano - a Spanish "Summer Wine" was enjoyed by all. Holly joined us briefly on the sand bar and after a chat, headed on her way, due to some very impressive storm clouds forming out at sea. Lisa and Frank decided to gamble with Mother Nature and continued to enjoy their lunch and summer wine and relaxed as they watched the storm pass them by. After lunch a short exploration kayak along Bird Island was had. Along the way, a slight rain shower gave us a refreshing fresh water rinse from our swim. We then turned back towards the Outfitters, as the large rain storm had passed to the South. (Holly, were you caught in the storm?) We paddled back to the Outfitters, had a quick rinse shower, loaded our gear, had another longer rinse shower, changed into dry clothes and headed for the ferry. A great day on the water was enjoyed. The trip lasted four and a half hours - on the water time....
The "Oops Award" goes to Lisa for bringing two paddle halfs that did not fit togehter. Thank you Kayak Amelia Outfitters for a loaner paddle free of charge.
We hope to see some more of you on our next trip.
A few views along the way.
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Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Time: 11:00 am
Length: 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy/BeginnerLocation: Kayak Amelia on Little Talbot Island
Leader: Lisa Beardsley
Gear:
Be sure to bring plenty of fluids, sun screen, bug spray and don't forget a bathing suit, towel, hat, lunch and your binocculars. Also, be sure to have your Coast Guard regulated PFD and whistle!
Cost:
Ferry Charge = $3.25 each way.
Launch fee if you have your own kayak = $1.00.
Single/Tandem Kayak Rental = $30.00/$40.00.
TRIP INFORMATION:
This is a nice place for an easy kayak, lots of beach stops, lunch and a few swim breaks. The trip will last 4 hours. We will meet at Kayak Amelia at 11:00 and be ready to launch at 11:30. The tide will be low for the duration of this trip, so we will have to negotiate some sand bars along the way. We will coordinate our paddle with an outgoing and incoming tide so we should have an easy paddle both from and to the launch site. Low tide is at 12:34 pm, so we will have lunch on a sand bar as the tide turns and rises. For those of you wishing to have a more leisurely trip, there are many sandy beaches along the way to stop, take a break, have a swim and wait for the group to return. Also, a good thing about this location is people can turn around, to end their trip, whenever they want, with very little change of getting lost.
We will launch from "Kayak Amelia" located at 13030 Heckscher Drive.
If you need to rent a kayak one may be rented on site from Kayak Amelia Outfitters.
Their phone number is 251-0016 and their web site is http://www.kayakamelia.com/
Rental Costs are as follows:
Single Kayak = $30 for up to four hours and $45 for over four hours
Tandem Kayak = $45 for up to four hours and $60 for over four hours.
If you have your own kayak -- there is a launch fee of $1.00
SITE FACTS/INFORMATION:
We will be paddling around the area of Little Talbot Island, Long Island and Big Talbot Island. This area provides a wonderful example of how the many barrier islands of Florida originally appeared before they were developed. This area is located 17 miles northeast of Jacksonville and contains maritime forests, dunes, and salt marshes (where we will be paddling). Wildlife includes river otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats, and a variety of native and migrating birds.
DIRECTIONS:
The easiest way to get there from Queen's Harbour is to take the St. John's Ferry from Mayport to cross the St. Johns river. (It leaves Mayport on the hour and half hour, so plan accordingly) Make a right out of the ferry docks and drive towards Amelia Island. You will pass Hugeonot Park, then Little Talbot Island State Park. Kayak Amelia is located just past Little Talbot State Park on the Left (west) side of the road. There is a sign; "Kayak Amelia", with an actual kayak above it.
Please click on "comment" below and leave a message if you are interested in participating.
See you on the water.
