Back - at last!

Some may have wondered where the blazes I've been.  Good point.

Since we returned from our week long trip in Fortune Bay on 18 July I've paddled a whopping 39 kms.  That's sad.  But, its not been paddling weather lately with, for me, unbearable heat.  Maybe I've lacked a bit of motivation also.  Nevertheless, today we got in a decent paddle.

Brian, Dean, Gary, Greg and I left St Philips destined for Brocks Pond Falls ...

... somewhere down there, in the distance.

It was almost high tide and many passages were open to us.

We were paddling along the cliffs formed by the Topsail Fault.  The fault must have moved over an extended time as evidenced by these felsic sheeted dikes seen on Brian's right.  The felsic (lighter) rocks are intruded as the fault opens and each time there is movement in the fault subsequently, another intrusion occurs.  Notice the vertical light and dark alternating bands of rock.

We paddled through rocks that have been left offshore through the erosion of the sea.  These are just slightly harder than the surrounding rocks to resist being washed away.

Arriving at the community of Portugal Cove, we paddled across its mouth because we were going further.

All along the way we were paddling by the oldest rocks on the Avalon Peninsula.  These date from the Paleoproterozoic (2,500 - 1,600 million years ago).

Nine kilometers later we were at Brocks Pond Falls tumbling over the 300 foot high cliffs.  This July was the hottest on record.  Possibly also the driest but August has given us lots of precipitation and the falls were at their best.

There's no place to "land" but the water was calm enough to climb out onto the rocks for a break.  Stardust clings precariously to the steep cliff.

Here's Dean's blog with video of our landings at the falls.

I don't think my exit sold my choice of place to get out so the guys managed a short distance away.  Tough place for fibreglass kayaks.  We joked we should get the guys in plastic kayaks to seal launch after the break.

We made our way back to St. Philips for a total distance of just over 19 kms.  Not a long paddle but at least its back in the saddle again.  Cooler weather and a return of desire will see me on the water regularly again.

Dean hasn't paddled much lately either.  He said that an extended absence only makes it feel better when you paddle again.  You know, he's right!