Top 10 paddles of 2011 - #6

Admirals Beach

On June 18th Clyde, Dean, Hazen and I had a paddle in St. Mary's Bay, paddling around Great Colinet Island. It was a beautiful, calm, sunshiny day. It was one of those days to paddle along leisurely and smell the roses so-to-speak. More shots from the day on the original post.

We put-in at Admirals Beach.

Perfectly clear

Its only a short crossing to the island. The bright sunshine coupled with the clear salt water made it look like Hazen was floating, suspended above the sea bottom.

Concrete pillars

Not long into our paddle we arrived at the abandoned community of Mosquito, one of two on the island. What was a thriving community is now overgrown by tall grasses, shrubs and weeds. Only the occasional concrete post remains to poke above the overgrowth.

Placid seas

We continued on taking our time paddling along the east side of the island.

South end

As we reached the south end of the island I was struck by the verdant colours of the grass carpeting the rocky ground. We explored a few caves there before rounding to turn north up the west side.

Westside story

Whereas we were sheltered on the east side, the wind picked up slightly from the south as we headed up the west side of the island.

Fishplant remains

Back in calmer water under the protection of the land we entered the cove where the abandoned community of Reginaville was located. Again concrete pillars foundations and cement slabs were all that was left of the former community.

We stopped here for a break before taking the short crossing back to Admirals Beach and the end to a perfect day on the water. It was another rounding on an island and a visit to two resettled communities and that's why its on my list of top 10 paddles for the year.