Mon, Aug 25 - Paddle Barnstable's Great Marsh, across to Sandy Neck or a creek

12: 40 PM on Sunday. The 4 of us who are now signed up for tomorrow's paddle agree that we will decide at launch time whether we will do the paddle described below or go across the harbor to the Sandy Neck "lighthouse". At present, the NWS forecast for 10:00AM to noon tomorrow in Barnstable is for breezes of 3 to 5 mph. It does not get any better than that for kayaking Barnstable Harbor. That could change at any time. If the boat traffic looks light, we may cross the harbor. If the wind picks up and there are several motor boats in the harbor, we may paddle the creek.

We will be launching from Scudder Lane Town Landing, Barnstable, and paddling a short distance along the south shore of Barnstable Harbor to reach a creek that winds through a section of the Great Marsh.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/f/6/6/600_376623942.jpeg

There might be a place where we can take a break, along the way on the islands, but footing will be shoe-sucking muck.

We will postpone this paddle if the winds are forecast to be above 13 mph. If you are visiting the Cape, make sure I can contact you on Saturday. Weather can change quickly in Barnstable Harbor.

As always, you need to either wear your life jacket or have it in the cockpit with you or under a bungee cord within reach.

LAUNCH AT 10:00. High tide in Barnstable Harbor is 12:12 PM, so there will be enough water for us to get up into the creek today, launching at our usual time.

Drive through the small paved parking lot at the end of Scudder Land, drive down the hill and unload your gear. Go back up Scudder Lane a short distance beyond the No Parking signs and park at the side of the road.

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

As always, paddles are for experienced, energetic kayakers. No guests on paddles.

DIRECTIONS:
From Mid-Cape Hwy. Take exit 6, Rt 132. Turn towards Barnstable (north) and follow 132 until it ends at Rt 6A. 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.

Driving 6A, coming from the east of Scudder Lane. Drive 3.6 miles west on 6A from Willow St. Drive 1.2 miles west on 6A from the stop light at Millway Rd. Scudder Lane is on your right and not an obvious street. It is the next right turn after Allyn.

Driving 6A, coming from the west of Scudder Lane. Follow the directions above from the intersection of Rt 132. It is 1.4 miles from 132 to Scudder Lane.