Bull's Bay 07
Went down to the coast to do a little bit of paddling in Bull’s Bay. Didn’t have enough time to do the route I wanted to do but had a great time anyway.
Headed about 2 hours east and picked a buddy of mine up then we headed south. I had reserved a site for us to stay Thursday night at Buck Hall in Francis Marion National Forest. When we arrived at Buck Hall we found our site and then noticed that there was another site close by that was much more shaded and secluded looking so we inquired about that one and to our surprise were given access. The site was right on the ICW looking out over some marsh with the big bay behind that. It was beautiful.
We put up the tent and unloaded our gear and I got off a few shots with the camera. We then drove south down 17 to find a bait shop then returned and launched our boats. I had bought a nice laminated map of the Bay (for the exorbitant price of $13.99!) to help with navigation and we followed the ICW first NE, then East then found a channel heading South out into the Bay. By this time it was about an hour from dead-low tide so we had the strong current flowing in our general direction but had a stiff headwind so we had to constantly sweep stroke on the right side to keep the bow of the boat pointed in the right direction. Our original plan was to head out to White Banks about three hours before low tide, explore the banks for a few hours then ride the tide coming back in, but we got a later start than we had intended and only had a couple of hours before sunset so we stopped on an exposed sandbar a little over halfway to the banks and did some fishing. We were hoping to catch dinner but only caught 7 sharks all of which were under 5lbs. Got a good look at each of them and tossed them back. I had forgotten my camera back at the site so I was unable to take any photos while in the boat.
Headed in as the sun was setting thinking, “Not a bad way to spend a Thursday.”
The next day we went and explored some of the inland waterways. We took a series of fire roads through the national forest (which is huge) to get to Wambaw Creek and saw lots of endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker nests and some wild turkeys on the way. Got to Wambaw Creek and discovered it was too low to put in. Then we headed to a small lake off of the North Santee River and fished there for a little while. Caught no fish but took some nice photos.
Went down to the coast to do a little bit of paddling in Bull’s Bay. Didn’t have enough time to do the route I wanted to do but had a great time anyway.
Headed about 2 hours east and picked a buddy of mine up then we headed south. I had reserved a site for us to stay Thursday night at Buck Hall in Francis Marion National Forest. When we arrived at Buck Hall we found our site and then noticed that there was another site close by that was much more shaded and secluded looking so we inquired about that one and to our surprise were given access. The site was right on the ICW looking out over some marsh with the big bay behind that. It was beautiful.
We put up the tent and unloaded our gear and I got off a few shots with the camera. We then drove south down 17 to find a bait shop then returned and launched our boats. I had bought a nice laminated map of the Bay (for the exorbitant price of $13.99!) to help with navigation and we followed the ICW first NE, then East then found a channel heading South out into the Bay. By this time it was about an hour from dead-low tide so we had the strong current flowing in our general direction but had a stiff headwind so we had to constantly sweep stroke on the right side to keep the bow of the boat pointed in the right direction. Our original plan was to head out to White Banks about three hours before low tide, explore the banks for a few hours then ride the tide coming back in, but we got a later start than we had intended and only had a couple of hours before sunset so we stopped on an exposed sandbar a little over halfway to the banks and did some fishing. We were hoping to catch dinner but only caught 7 sharks all of which were under 5lbs. Got a good look at each of them and tossed them back. I had forgotten my camera back at the site so I was unable to take any photos while in the boat.
Headed in as the sun was setting thinking, “Not a bad way to spend a Thursday.”
The next day we went and explored some of the inland waterways. We took a series of fire roads through the national forest (which is huge) to get to Wambaw Creek and saw lots of endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker nests and some wild turkeys on the way. Got to Wambaw Creek and discovered it was too low to put in. Then we headed to a small lake off of the North Santee River and fished there for a little while. Caught no fish but took some nice photos.
The next time I venture down to Bull’s Bay I will make sure I have at least two full days to paddle if not more. I’d like to explore some of the Bay then head out of the bay, north up the coast to Cape Island.
Securely loaded and ready to roll.
The 'Accommodations'
Our site, looking at the ICW (the Bay is on the other side, behind of the marsh).
Frank
Sunrise at low tide.
Dolphins on the ICW
Long straight fire roads within the Francis Marion National Forest.
These double white markings indicate trees that contain nests of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
Closer view of the nest.
Wild turkey on the run.
Wambaw Creek
Blackeyed Susans
Saw this huge live oak sitting by itself on the side of the road.
A lot of moss growing in this old tree.
Some perspective.
posted by kelsso | 7:08 AM
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