Cicada River Runners: Chasing the sunrise, paddling past dark

Yesterday was some kind of adventure. We got up and packed in a beautiful sunrise.

We had estimated 22 miles to beach landing. Along the way we had tide agaist us initially but as we came into the coast we had the favor of the tide. We transitioned into salt water and wider and wider water ways. At one point we ended up in a variable highway of sailboats. The landscape changed from marshgrass to oyster bed and finally we paddled up a marsh stream of live oak.

The waves became strong enough to break over our bow. And where the water poured in from the marsh and creeks it was like paddling a washing machine.

We landed on a sunny beach at 430 first time out of the boat since 730. We spent and hour soaking in the accomplishment and talking to the folks.

Met a man from Black Mountain who grew up here. He gave us some crazy advice on how to get to the park. We paddled up a mash stream to the suggested dock which was 12 feet above water with no reasonable access. We paddled on ending in a marsh mud bank next to hwy 174 where we crawled up and out of the swap like so many alligators. Great fully the park ranger carried all our gear to the campground and we slept happy and dry in live oak campground.