While in Tidewater Virginia for my sister Kim’s wedding, my uncle Cliff and I headed off to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Cliff meandered about amongst the dunes birding while I tried to do the same in my kayak out on the water. Unfortunately for me, bird sightings were few and far between…thankfully, so were the bird droppings. I did get a great paddle in a very beautiful area.
Also unfortunate for both Cliff and me were the chiggers. I never got them before and do not want to get them again. These little arachnids burrow into your skin and hang on until you can asphyxiate them by covering the bites with nail polish or toothpaste. The bites itch like crazy. I thought I had poison ivy and was somewhat relieved to find it was chiggers. I am still up and down, now, about which affliction was worse.
Using the map I got I was not sure exactly how much water I covered but I think it was minimal. I have no idea at what rate I paddle and surely cannot judge distance on the water. I bet one could spend days paddling around Back Bay before seeing everything. I have included a few pictures.
View from a sheltered spot after a decent open water paddle:
Is it my treet?
A different perspective:
Right…….
Even the trees are asking to be bored to death.