Friday, July 27, 2012

Anclam Park to Cana Island and return

July 21st

Kayak
Anclam Park in Baileys Harbor, WI to Cana Island and return
13 miles, light rain, then sun, winds from sw, 5 to 15, waves none to 3 feet
 I drove to Baileys Harbor to meet with Russ, Tim (Team Leadership Center) and the CYE group they are escorting.

 
Anclam Beach...the town just remodeled it this spring

Anclam Beach and we are launching
The CYE is paddling around Door County this summer, doing the coast in 15 mile stretches. They have more participants the boats, so anyone land bound for the day has the option of biking a route then meeting the paddlers at a take out. Logistically there is a lot going on off the water. Staying organized to support 15 boats onthewater and fairly new paddlers, wanted a few helping hands onshore. Keeping track of the needed equipment, hauling the boats, paddles, extra clothing, food, dropping off, picking up; it reminded me of the logistics person keeping us supplied when I went to Outward-bound in Colorado back in 1976.
Jumping in 
We met up about 8:15 and were under way around 9. Russ, Tim, Father Quinn, and 11 paddlers, most were in their early 20s. Some had previous paddling experience, but many had just learned the basics during the past few weeks.
Crossing Bailey's Harbor
A warm summer rain
We left about 9ish. There was an Overcast, gray sky and a light sw wind with drizzle. After launching and crossing part of the harbor it was obvious one young man had an issue controlling his boat.
Crossing Paths
It was a shorter perception, without a rudder. He just could not get a handle on controlling the direction, so Tim switched him to another boat when we reached shallow water…problem solved.
Nearing the Bird-Cage Light
We pass the Bird-Cage
The old birdcage light house on the east side of the harbor had a lonely forlorn look about it under that gray cloudy sky. It is on private property, but is viewable from the water. There are several points of land on the way to Cana…all have shallow reefs extending a half mile or so from land. Good areas to avoid when there is any wave action, especially with new paddlers or fiberglass hulls. They are rocky areas, no sand.
The CYE Paddlers
Heading to Cana is always an adventurous paddle.
Crossing Moonlight Bay from Toft’s Point to Bues Point takes you several miles off shore. Toft’s point juts into Lake Michigan, so paddlers can be exposed to rolling swells and strong waves from a s or se wind. We had some 2 footers, enough to make the paddle interesting; occasionally one could catch a wave ride.
Cana Island in the distance
Cana Island with Bues Point on the left
Crossing Cana Island
Again there is a reef jutting lakeside to the east of Cana Island. It is rocky and can be rough. We paddle around the island to the North side to take out and stretch our legs.


There were a few swells
The Cana Island light is a tall steel cladded white tower. Currently it is open to public tours through the Door County Maritime Museum.
People on the Light watching us watch them
Russ and Father Quinn
Taking a break near the Island Causeway
I needed to be home sooner, so said goodbyes and headed back south while the group headed on North to Sand Bay.
Heading back
The wind picked up a little and the sun decided to beam in on me as I rounded Cana into Moonlight Bay.
Rounding close by the East side of Cana Island
It was a long hot paddle to Toft’s Point where I pulled out, stripped down (my paddling clothes) and ate. Tuna, crackers, jell-o, granola,… drank lots of water.
Beached on Toft's Point
Found a flat rock and relaxed in the sun before heading back. Rounding Toft’s Point I hugged the shore, picking my way through the rocks and breaking waves…that was more interesting than staying clear of them by going offshore.
Back in Baileys Harbor at the old Bird Cage
Around the point and into Baileys Harbor, under a HOT sun, past the Bird–cage lighthouse, dodged a few powerboats and jet skis, then onto the beach. Lashed the boat onto the truck, changes clothes, grabbed a single scoop of Cookies an’ Cream on a waffle cone at the Yum-Yum Tree and headed home. Later I drove to Menards Lumber in Green Bay to pick up some Western Red Cedar to glue up the main mast for the Trap Skiff.
Smooth sand on Anclam Beach...finally no rocks


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