OUTDOORS INSPIRED
Canoeing and Kayaking

Growing up along a small stream I became fascinated with water.  Building dams and creating swimming holes became a summer pastime.  Dreams of building rafts and small boats, much like Huckleberry Finn, filled my mind on a regular basis. I later fulfilled my dreams by becoming a geohydro-morphologist, a person who designs natural streams.​
I became even more interested in being around water when my brothers traded a triumph motorcycle for a hydroplane racing boat.   I had many adventures as part of their racing team.
As part of this website I will be posting blogs of my adventures on the river, lakes, and streams of the United States (US).
I live in the mid-eastern portion of the US, therefore most of my adventures will be along the James, Roanoke, Shenandoah, New, Rappahannock, and, Potomac River basins. 
Also most of my adventures will be along slower moving bodies of water,  below Class III rapids.
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11/13/2017

Kayaking Back Bay

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Back Bay Wildlife Refuge is a calm water area located near Sandbridge, Virginia.  There are numerous freshwater creeks that feed into the Bay, creating diverse ecosystems.  Many of the canoe and kayak outfitters are located near Muddy and Ashville Creeks.  There are cypress trees with hanging Spanish moss, especially in areas of North Bay.   If you are very quiet and observant you may see whitetail deer, owls, white egrets, snakes, great blue herons, and even turtles.  
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Back Bay is shallow and in some parts may not be any deeper than six feet, but in open water the wind can be a strong force to paddle against.   Most of what appears to be vegetated solid ground is really semi-floating clumps of plants. 
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Carry your own supplies including drinking water.  Be sure to wear your life vest at all times.
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Back Bay has a very low salinity and is not affected by moon tides.  There are massive communities of Phragmities marshes, a wetland plant species that dominates the shorelines where native species of Black Needle Rushes once thrived.  In the headwaters of the freshwater creek the cattail, cyprus, and lily pads appear.   Some pines, maples, water tupelo and wax myrtle may also make an appearance.  In spring there are many bird species, like osprey, prothonotary warbler, egret, heron, turkey vulture, and red-tailed hawk.
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Kayaking and canoeing through the lily pads are discouraged and certain areas are prohibited for that use.  Unfortunately the ingress and egress for boats are in competition for these same areas.  If you make the entire loop around Back Bay be prepare to spend a good portion of the day.

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10/27/2017

Canoeing the James river

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  "No Worry Family and Friends' Fun"
​
Have you ever wished that you could attend a get-together with friends and young children without the worry of hearing bad language, alcohol drinking, smoking, or gossiping? ​
This month I attended a father and daughter weekend canoe trip with friends from several local churches. I am a grandfather, and I was invited to participate by my son-in-law and granddaughter.
Six fathers and their young daughters, ages nine to eleven, and I floated down the James River headwaters, stopping overnight at a campground and then continuing downstream to a take-out point.  The girls and fathers set up camp and cooked meals. Each canoe contained one father in the back and his daughter in the front. The fathers fished while the daughters paddled along the river. The James River flows fast enough along this section so that it did not take a lot of effort to navigate downstream. Occasionally, some of the girls would jump into the water for a refreshing dip in the river.
The rapids were easily-navigated whitewater Class I's and II's.  Fathers provided lunch from the coolers carried in their  canoes. Sometimes the canoeist would turn upstream and try to surf the  rapids. ​​
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​​My Native Ultimate 12 foot Kayak


This kayak is made of Kevlar type composition with an adjustable chair seat and foot pedals.  I purchased a two-part bow spray skirt to keep water from splashing over the front of the kayak.    


​I also purchased a stern cooler pack that fits into the rear of the kayak.  I attached fishing rod and GoPro handles along the front and sides of the kayak. 
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​Fathers and their daughters paddling along the river

All of the girls wore swim suits and Coast Guard approved life 
preservers.  All of the fathers were avid canoeists and had many years experience paddling canoes along streams.
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​Paddling and fishing along the James River
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The James River at this point is a relatively fast- flowing larger body of water.  We put the canoes in just below the confluence of the Jackson and Cow Pasture Rivers.   The banks of the river are lined with steep grades and an occasional pasture.
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​Headwaters of the James River near Roanoke, Virginia.

​The dads fish, while the girls paddle and 
swim occasionally.

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    Avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, water sports, camping, and survival training. ​

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© John Baranowski
  • Topic Overview
  • About
  • Contact
  • Backpacking/Hiking
  • Bicycling
  • Canoe/kayaking
  • Survival/Nature
  • Gear Review
  • Stories from the Trail