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January 19, 2006 - Adventures in canoeing IIThe Suffolk Times • January 19, 2006 • t 1A Suffolk Times photos by Paul Stoutenburgh Left: From the edge of our campsite at the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge, we put in our ultra -light canoe we carried on top of our pop-up camper. Soon we were gliding through acres of yellow bladderwort. Right: Taking a group of teenagers down the Peconic River Is truly a challenge. It was all part of exposing them to the wonders of the outdoors. You can see In the foreground my old, original Grumman canoe, which is still going strong today. Adventures in canoeing II We'll continue with our canoes and trips, which we started in last week's cohunn. ANO'1111IR'rtnau WE paddled the famous Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge, with its garlands of Spanish moss and mirrored, coffee - colored water. Cypress FOCUS trees were ev- erywhere. Here, Barbara was NATURE not too happy to see alligators by Paul along the way, Stoutenburgh seemingly siz- ing us up as we paddled along. It was here we had the best view of that giant pileated woodpecker atop an old cypress tree. It was also here we were stopped by a park ranger checking to see that we had life jackets on, which we did. He stayed awhile and gave its a lot of interesting information about the swamp's history and wildlife. When i was teaching in Greenport School i worked with Charlie Jantzen and his outdoor education program. We took the students on a trip down the Peconic River — not in the stinr- mertime, but in February. Just before we left home, Barbara grabbed a big garbage bag and filled it with extra socks, gloves and other warm clothing that might be needed — and it was, and appreciated, too. For many summers we worked with BOLES kids, showing them the natural wonders of our East End and how it was changing. One of our field trips was down the Peconic River. But before anyone could go, they had to learn some basic safety rules when using a canoe. All went well un- til the head of the BOCES program decided to go along with us. She was a wonderful person and lots of fun to be with, but she didn't take Canoeing 101, so when we came to a low branch hanging over the river, all the kids knew they had to bend forward, NOT to the side, to get under the branch. Hannah bent to the side — yep, she and her friend flipped the canoe, with all its gear. ft's all shallow water, so there was no great danger. Lots of laughs, though. I thought it might be a challenge to sail by canoe around all the islands on the East End. I had rigged my canoe after Walt Williams's canoe, which he had gotten fully equipped for sailing — so i just made up the parts nec- essary for a sailing canoe. The first island we would sail around would be Robins Island, which was the easiest. After all, it is practically in our back !t Van Kemenade Paint....... ,est Advice! ► m Benjamin Moore Paints 1604 Main Road, Jasnesport 722 -3113 Hours: Mon - Fri 7 - 6; Sat 8 - 54 Sun 10 - 3 yard.Then came Shelter Island, which took a bit longer. We left from Cedar Beach in Southold. We had lunch at the south end of Mashomack. It was a hot day and I remember diving around the rocks there as Barbara enjoyed the splendor of the day, I saw a nice lobster under one of the rocks at the point but decided it was his lucky day. i passed it by. From there, we headed north past C'oecles Harbor. Here was old, familiar territory from our sailing days on our 27 -foot Cape Dory sailboat. We sailed past Greenport and the famous gazebo atop a huge rock on the northwest corner of Shelter island, around Paradise Point, and then we headed for Cedar Beach to the car. Next we tackled Gar - diners Island. We left from Fireplace, then through the shallow waters of Cartwright Island and up the cast side of the island. What memories I have of that whole area. It was here on Cartwright that my son and I were introduced to bird band- ing with that great naturalist Gil Raynor. The whole day was spent banding young gulls. By the way, there were three or four ospreys nesting on this low spit of sand that ran to the south. But back to our sailing day around Gardiners island. You know the east side of that magnificent island faces the mighty Atlantic Ocean.The high, bare cliffs can vouch for the ocean's eroding force. We sailed over acres and acres of eelgrass, that wonderful ancient plant that moved from the land into the water and still hangs on to its tradition of flowering, even under- water. At one time eelgrass could be found throughout our East End; then disease wiped it out and, sorry to say, it hasn't come back to our bays. We headed north and stopped at the ruins (an old fort) on the north end of the island. By now, the sea was building and, seeing anxiety building up in Barbara, I be- came more serious about my sailing. We still had a long way to go, so we headed along the west side of Gardin- ers, past Cherry Hill and back to Fire- place to our car. It was a long day but very rewarding. When I mentioned Fishers Island to Barbara some days later, i got no reply. i decided we'd skip that one. I thought it might be a challenge to sail by canoe around all the islands on the East End. Mike & Renee of BLIND VISIONS New Owners... Same Quality Craftsmanship Old -World Upholstery Window Treatments Interior Wood Shutters Designer Fabrics Wall & Floor Coverings Furniture & Accessories Wallace Interior Design SCrrIrC% r10 Hunterpouglas Z n•indow.1,1511i,nr.+ I nit our showroom ri days a week at 44500 Route 48, Southold 631 .765.3890 - www.wallace.hdwfg.com The Suffolk Times • January 19, 2006 ntures in canoein M11,11i/ x �W v � Suffolk Times photos by Paul ED E L CD a� 3 a� 3 c (% X CL CD O O C EL R 0 a CL CL 3 >, O O 4- 41 O = g CL = oa�O +� +- c = U) o v un i 5 N N a1 > L C iR 2 O � •C 3 �a R L a� L = E o' c E C •a i = b4 C O fa 3 w O O O C � O E � f3 3 O bA O Y i YFO•w O _ t c U �+ Y � C d O i N O 3 R to .(D v a) CL 4L) —° °o = T � 7 p O CD a) G R O y i s � O .a L C = O i bA .1 We'll continue with our canoes and trips, which we started in last week's column. ANOTHER TIME WE paddled the famous Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge, with its garlands of Spanish moss and mirrored, coffee - colored Focus water. Cypress trees were ev- ON erywhere. Here, Barbara was N AT U R E not too happy to see alligators by Paul along the way, Stoutenburgh seemingly siz- ing us up as we paddled along. It was here we had the best view of that giant pileated woodpecker atop an old cypress tree. It was also here we were stopped by a park ranger checking to see that we had life jackets on, which we did. He stayed awhile and gave us a lot of interesting information about the swamp's history and wildlife. When I was teaching in Greenport School I worked with Charlie Jantzen and his outdoor education program. We took the students on a trip down the Peconic River — not in the sum- mertime, but in February. Just before we left home, Barbara grabbed a big garbage bag and filled it with extra socks, gloves and other warm clothing that might be needed — and it was, and appreciated, too. For many summers we worked with BOCES kids, showing them the natural wonders of our East End and how it was changing, One of our field trips was down the Peconic River. But before anyone could go, they - had to learn some basic safety rules when using a canoe. All went well un- til the head of the BOCES program decided to go along with us. She was a wonderful person and lots of fun to be with, but she didn't take Canoeing 101, so when we came to a low branch hanging over the river, all the kids knew they had to bend forward, NOT to the side, to get under the branch. Hannah bent to the side — yep, she and her friend flipped the canoe, with all its gear. It's all shallow water, so there was no great danger. Lots of I thought it might be a challenge to sail by canoe around all the islands of the East End. I had rigged my canoe after Walt Williams's canoe, which he had gotten fully equipped for sailing — so I just made up the parts nec- essary for a sailing canoe. The first island we would sail around would be Robins Island, which was the easiest. After all, it is practically in our back yard. Then came Shelter Island, whicl took a bit longer. We left from Cedar Beach in Southold. We had lunch at the south end of Mashomack. It was a hot day and I remember diving around the rocks there as Barbara enjoyed the splendor of the day. I saw a nice lobster under one of the rocks at th point but decided it was his lucky day. I passed it by. From there, we headed north past Coecles Harbor. Here was old, familiar territory from our sailing days on our 27 -foot Cape Dory sailboat. We sailed past Greenport and the famous gazebo atop a huge rock on the northwest corner of Shelter Island, around Paradise Point, and then we headed for Cedar Beach to the car. Next we tackled Gar - diners Island. We left from lrep ace then through the shallow waters of Cartwright Island and up the east side of the island. What memories I have of that whole area. It was here on Cartwright that my son and I were introduced to bird band- ing with that great naturalist Gil Raynor. The whole day was spent banding young gulls. By the way, 1 thought it Might be a challenge to sail by canoe around all the islands on the East End. tnere were tnree or tour ospreys nesting on this low spit of sand that ran to the south. But back to our sailing day around Gardiners Island. You know the east side of that magnificent island faces thi mighty Atlantic Ocean. The high, bare cliffs can vouch for the ocean's erodinj force. We sailed over acres and acres o eelgrass, that wonderful ancient plant that moved from the land into the water and still hangs on to its tradition of flowering, even under- water. At one time eelgrass could be found throughout our East End; then disease wiped it out and, sorry to say, it hasn't come back to our bays We headed north and stopped at the ruins (an old fort) on the north end of the island. By now, the sea was building and, seeing anxiety building up in Barbara, I be- came more serious about my sailing. We still had a long way to go, so we headed along the west side of Gardin- ers, past Cherry Hill and back to Fire- place to our car. It was a long day but very rewarding. When I mentioned Fishers Island to Barbara some days later, I got no reply. I decided we'd skit) that one.