Breezes light and sunshine giving way to mostly cloudy provided good conditions on this Fall morning. Launch into the salt marsh was from the newly constructed ramp in Southport. Our small group explored the Cottage Creek as far as we could go. Twisting marine marsh narrowed to single file and then the gentle turns became switchbacks. Finally the Smooth Cordgrass and Needle Rush closed in and in the narrows the paddle was no longer useful as designed but did serve to swish at these tall reeds that were impeding progress. Using the paddle as pole to push against the mud bottom shallow at this point we slogged through.

spotted: Periwinkle, a nickel sized sea snail also birds: Egrets and a Cormorant or two

We came. we saw, and so reversed course picking our way back out; trying not to lose our way. After awhile each turn starts to blur but fortunately there were few getting lost in the maze options and we could DR toward the sea. Coming out onto the ICW we hugged the shore until boat traffic permitted a direct crossing to the other bank.

We elected to circumnavigate the spoils island directly across from the marinas there on the ICW by way of Dutchman Creek and the Elizabeth River. The relatively open water was freedom compared to the close confines of the creek. The exposure to wind, waves, and powerboat wakes was stimulating.

At 12 miles roundtrip this was a personal best for endurance. This gray Fall morning day was rather bleak compared to the previous weekend. Temperature 60F and NNW wind at 12 gusting 20 mph at times presented an uphill battle. Lost my Tilley hat (recovered) to one of these with no one else to the wiser.

Lockwood Folly River is a few miles from its ICW connection to the Atlantic Ocean so there are tidal flows to consider. Luckily I was positioned for success with high water and slack current on the outbound leg.

Against the wind the outbound leg to the NC 211 Bridge took 2:15 but the return (1:35) was a joy with current beginning to move in my direction, the wind at my back, and the Sun making an appearance.

Launching from the Chris Anderson Landing we began a pleasant paddle excursion downriver. This section traverses the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve so it is undeveloped wilderness.