On Thursday, December 6, I managed to sneak away from my usual work routine for a paddle with some of my BASK buddies. We launched from Ferry Point in Richmond and paddled inside the breakwater of Brooks Island.
Launching from Ferry Point
Then after letting some shipping traffic pass we crossed the channel and paddled through a break in the breakwater.
Richmond Waterfont Richmond Shipping Channel Paddling through a break in the breakwater
It’s only possible to paddle through the break on a very high tide. High tide was 6.5 feet at 10:30 am, perfect for us to take a short cut. Once we were through the breakwater we paddled on the inside of Bird Island, where we were entertained by harbor seals and birds.
Rich and Bird Island
Once we were passed Brooks Island we set a course for the tip of the Albany Bulb landing at the end of the bulb under the watchful eye of the dragon, a public art sculpture. One of our members managed to stumble on a rock in the shallow water and banged his head on his boat.
Landing on the Albany Bulb Steve gets a bump on his head
After lunch we explored the artwork on the bulb.
David finds a Friend Public Art
Public Art
Public Art
Public Art
When we got ready to launch our boats again, what had been a sandy beach was now rocks. Our boats were left high and dry with the receding tide. We ended up carrying our boats a short distance to a better launch point and paddled back by way of the Richmond Inner Harbor to check out the new ferry terminal.
The New Ferry Terminal Under the Pier