Tues, June 17 -Paddle Barnstable's Great Marsh & Barnstable Harbor

Anna Brandin has offered to lead us through Barnstable's Great Marsh and Barnstable Harbor. She has provided the following description.
We will be launching from Scudder Lane Town Landing in Barnstable. Only Barnstable residents, WITH a beach sticker, can park there legally. If you are not a Barnstable resident, you will unload and drive half way up the street to park in Anna's driveway and walk back down-- available parking for only 6 cars.

LIMITED TO 7 PARTICIPANTS. Six cars can be parked in Anna's driveway. If you have a Barnstable beach sticker, please tell Joyce in a comment or email that you will park at the end of Scudder Lane (along with Anna's car) and Joyce will increase the number of members who can RSVP for this paddle. There will be a wait list, but you should only RSVP if you are sure you will attend.

We will be heading across Barnstable Harbor, between the islands that appear at low tide, and exploring the Great Marsh back into Wells Creek and the beginning of Scorton Creek. This paddle will take place as the tide is going to high so, as we come back, we will either come back between the islands or, if the tide is high enough, we'll paddle right over the top of the islands we went by earlier in the day.

Depending on how far we go up Scorton Creek, this paddle will be close to 3 hours. There will be the option to stretch legs along the way on the islands, but footing will be mucky--recommend teva- like shoes, not flip flops--they will come off.

There is open water exposure on this paddle-especially coming back across the harbor as the tide rises. We will postpone this paddle if, on Monday, the winds are forecast to be above 13 mph. Weather can change quickly in Barnstable Harbor. It is always possible that things might change while we are on the water.

As always, you must either wear your life jacket or have it in the cockpit with you or under a bungee cord within reach. For this paddle, that will be verified before the launch.

Spray skirts are recommended but not required, as we will not be paddling if water might be coming over the boat. Anna has two extra life jackets and two extra spray skirts that might work - note in comments if you need gear.

Boats must be unloaded before 11:30, as we will caravan cars up to Anna's driveway at 11:30.

Option of late lunch after the paddle at Barnstable Tavern on the patio (1 mile east on 6A). Food is good and the patio is lovely.

DIRECTIONS:
From Mid-Cape Hwy. Take exit 6--Rt 132. Turn towards Barnstable (north) and follow 132 until it ends at Rt 6A (is a T). Turn right onto Rt 6A and you will go under a railroad under pass. Scudder Lane is your next left, at about 2700 Main St. (as 6A curves to the right). The landing is at the end of the road.

Thank-you, Anna, for offering to lead this paddle.