* * * NACK Trip Album * * *

The paddle started at Ponquogue Bridge. Parking here is for residents only. Luckily we had a special deal with Docker's so we could park in their lot and Jerry helped us shuttle back to the put-in after dropping our cars. Here our boats are lined on the tidal flats and being loaded prior to launch.

East of the put-in lies Shinnecock Inlet. We paddled east and inspected the fishing fleet that docks near the inlet as shown in the photos below. It was a Sunday and the fleet was in. Steve, an avid fisherman, is shown below-left with some of the others below-right.

Ponquogue Bridge is quite scenic. Here the group works together to make headway against the last of the outgoing current and light afternoon breeze. Lesley looks pretty good from the back!

Shinnecock Bay is very shallow. We came at low tide since this is when shorebirds are most abundant due to the ease of feeding. Sometimes it was not clear where the channel was located. This area looked fine until some of us decided to take a short cut.

Elizabeth and Gordon paddled their Aleut Sea-II double. There is extensive room in the center utility compartment. With the hatch stowed, it becomes a great location from which K-Sea the kayaking poodle can catch the scenery.

All good paddlers wear their PFD. This means all NACK members, including K-Sea! Seriously, many paddlers think that because their pet is a good swimmer they do not need to invest in a pet PFD. They forget that swimming pets are may not respond to commands or they fail to realize how difficult pet recoveries may be. Even a good swimmer can eventually tire and get into trouble. Do yourself and your pets a favor and invest in quality PFD with a recovery handle to aid in rescues.

Top-left: Lesley in her Impex Mystic with Remsenburg in the background. Above, the group has caught the scent of steaming lobsters and is paddling for the landing at the restaurant. Linda in the foreground is paddling her Kirton Inuk with Steve and Lesley beyond. Buddy's boat is just coming into the picture. John is leading in the distance.

After taking out at the dock, the boats are carefully loaded for the ride home. A quick change into civies after stowing gear and we are ready for dinner!

The group relives their day together over some wonderful local seafood. Through the window we could gaze out over picturesque Shinnecock Bay. As the afternoon progressed we watched the sun go down over the bay as dessert was served. Special thanks to Elizabeth and Jerry for organizing an exceptional day for our group. It was a great way to celebrate the end of summer and the start of the Fall paddling season!