Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling in NC or SC

I will be teaching a technical course in mid-April in the
Raleigh-Durham area.  I was going to simply fly out, but if
I can get them to pay my mileage I may load up the kayaks
and spend some time kayaking with a couple of friends.
Unlike Minnesota I understand that it is really spring in
that part of the world!

 My friends are probably comfortable paddling at an
intermediate level so we may need to stick to more sheltered
coast or at least have a safe sheltered site to launch and
land at the start and finish of the trip to avoid heavy
surf.  Any suggestions on some great paddles in North or
South Carolina?  We would probably also be limited to day
trips or short trips of two or three days for overnight
trips.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

There are two places to rent kayaks in the triangle area.  One is in north
Raleigh and the other is in Cary, which is just sourth of Raleigh.  If'n
you are heading to the coast it is easier to get to the Cary store, which
is REI.  The north Raliegh store is Pro Canoe.  Both rent sea kayaks.
There is another store in Raleigh, between REI and Pro Canoe, that might
rent boats, Great Outdoor Provision Company.  I know there are places to
rent from down on the coast but I don't have any idea who they are.

Places to go...
If you want to go to the coast and stay overnight, go to Bear Island.  This
is a state park near Emerald Isle and Camp Lejune.  The USMC base is easier
to find on a map.  Bear Island is just a bit up the coast from the base.
Bear Island can only be accessed by boat.  The whole island is a state
park, you can find more info at the NC state park web page.(Sorry, dont
have the address).  There are camp sites reserved for paddlers.  The
mainland to the island is about a mile or so depending on how you go
through the marsh.  The marsh grasses are high enough to protect you from
high winds and waves.  The only problem is that the park office, put in,
and parking lot are right on the InterCoastal waterway.  But I don't there
is much traffic this time of year.  I was down there on the 4th of July a
few years back and the ICW was a mess.  The camp sites, first come first
go, are secluded and even on the holiday we were isolated.  You must camp
in the designated spots.  There is a marker for the site and you have to
pitch you tent within a given distance or else.  There is a bathroom and
fresh water showers on the island.  But you really need to take your on
water.  The paddling campsites are a good distance from the bathrooms.  The
north side of the island has a little lagoon that puts you very close to a
couple of the camp sites.  The south side is supposed to be nice as well
but I have not been there.  The north side is near the inlet so be very
careful of the current.  You can get to the lagoon with no problem but with
an outgoing tide a weak paddler can easily get into trouble if you leave
the lagoon and head to the right, towards the open ocean.  Stay on the west
side of Bear Island.  This is a very pretty spot, what the coast used to
look like before development.  I'm sure most of the new locals and the
tourists visiting Emerald Isle and Bear Island, could never guess that the
USMC used to practice assualt landing on both islands during WWII.  You can
see/hear USMC aircraft at times.  Sometimes fairly low flying.

In the Triangle you there are three large lakes nearby.  Jordan to the
south, Falls north of Raleigh, and Harris which is south of Cary.  Jordan
has a large population of Bald Eagles.  Falls has a part of the lake that
bans IC motorboats. Harris is the has a Nuke plant which dominates the
lake.  You can see the cooling tower from Lake Jordan as well if you know
were to look.

Hope this helps...
Dan McCarty


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