I had earlier seen the impressive tide range of this March 19th at Garris Landing, with a tiny shallow ditch between expanses of pluff mud creating a gauntlet for boaters to run toward the ramp. It was an stronger pull from this closer than normal orbit of the moon – perigee, and coinciding with the […]
Pull of the Super Moon Read More »
It was not my usual Bull Island experience of sailing Kingfisher and walking solo around the island. On this Saturday I rode over on Island Cat and walked with a group of twenty people, in fact leading this group on a guided walk. The ferry carried over 38 people that morning. Captain Will Christenson was
The tide was high Sunday morning February 20 when I arrived at the landing. The wind whipped down the Intracoastal Waterway from the northeast. It had been so long since my last trip out on the water (Jan. 1), and today was a window of opportunity for making a Bull Island trip. But the wind
A rare fog, gracing New Year’s day, blanketed the marsh and creeks on on my arrival at the landing. The predicted south breeze was not present, but by the time I had launched Kingfisher and prepared to cast off, a breeze had sprung up and the fog had dissipated. We were sailing to windward,
Tall birds amidst a changing atmosphere Read More »
After a long run of work, home responsibilities, and general busyness in my life, a Bull Island window opened wide: winds forecast for north at 15 knots changing later to northwest at 5-10 knots, low tide at 1:02 PM, and clear skies. It was a Monday, and the day prior to the winter solstice. The
Approaching a winter solstice Read More »
8AM at the Romain Retreat landing on November 20, I was looking at a glassy Intracoastal Waterway, and feeling the irritation of no-seeums. I set off with the outgoing tide (low at 12:40PM), without wind but with faith that the predicted light east wind would arrive. Paddling into Andersonville Creek, following the group of ibis
Floating on a fall day Read More »
I almost missed a fine day for a sail out to the Northeast Point of Bull Island on a day off from work. Over the weekend, another great adventure in plumbing had turned nightmarish. Thankfully, help came before I anticipated, and with hot water running again in the Raynor household I was free to set
I wondered if it was just a coincidence that the weather continued to be spectacular, carrying on what I had experienced the previous weekend in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sunday was the annual special tour of Bull Island led by Rudy Mancke, and I was along helping as a board member of the Sewee
“The was-ness of the is” Read More »
I occasionally yearn to be in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Ever since camping trips with my family back in the early 1990’s, this national park has felt like home. Two college buddies and I hit the weather perfectly with a long planned trip last weekend: crystal clear skies, cool temperatures with no humidity,
Moving away from my home waters around Bull Island, I traveled into northern Georgetown County, not trailing Kingfisher behind me but sporting a canoe on top of my vehicle. I had been planning this trip – seemingly an inordinate amount of time for a half-day paddle –on one of the spectacular coastal rivers of South
On the Little Peedee River Read More »
The tide’s timing beckoned a trip out to Bull Island on Sunday before Labor Day. In contrast, the marine forecast of east at 10 knots was not panning out. With sail raised I paddled across the Intracoastal Waterway toward Andersonville Creek. The wind did not have an identity, and veered around during the long trip
What was it about that day, August 9, which gave me such a bounce in my step and oozing anticipation? A series of marine and atmospheric conditions had converged: the new moon, with the accompanying larger range of tides (spring tides), with a low tide at 1:45 PM; marine forecast for east wind at 10-15
Walking across the Bay Read More »
