The “Big Float”

Friday 11/2/2012

Huntington Beach State Park

Murrells Inlet, SC

This morning we had to pull up stakes and make a run to the dump station.  All went smoothly without incident!  It didn’t take long to pack up, go dump, return to the site, and get set up again.  No pictures of this “fun” task.

Soon after, a small group congregated at our site.

Paul, Dee, Marti, Laurie, and Terri started to chat it up.  It was a bit cool in the shade, so the small group moved out into the sunshine behind our rig.

George joined us,

as well as a few others.  It was getting close to lunchtime, so the circle didn’t last too long.

After lunch, a paddle/float was planned for the Intracoastal Waterway.  Many of us headed over to the put-in site and prepared for launch.

Terri caught Gary and Peggy stealing a kiss.

John and Ginny came along to check out the Sea Eagles.

Everyone was successful in getting their watercraft ready and into the water.  One by one another couple launched until we were all out on the water and ready to go.  Here comes Paul and Marti…

and there goes Paul and Marti!

Evin

and Steve were in their hard-shell kayaks while the rest of us were in our Sea Eagles.

Dan and Tricia

and Gin and Syl had electric motors to propel their boats.

We were all over the waterway and having a lot of fun!

This is Gary and Peggy floating alongside Bill and Nancy.

Here are a couple of pictures of Ray and Kris…

and Laurie and George…

and Rick and Gail.

.

Here are Neil and Nancy,

and Neil and Nancy with Tricia and Dan.

After paddling quite a while, we grouped together for one big “floating vessel” and just floated along the waterway.  It was rather amazing how quickly and straight we were moving!

This is when all 13 inflatables had “connected” for the “big float” along the waterway!!!  All 26 of us just lumbered along having a wonderful time.

Soon it was time to separate, turn around, and head back.  We had a strong headwind, so a lot of paddling was in order with very few pictures.

Eventually we were back where we started, and everyone packed up to head back to the campground.  Terri and I had a most enjoyable time with everyone.  It was only our second time out with our Sea Eagle, but it went well.  We only suffered one minor mishap with me losing my paddle while trying to take a picture.  Thankfully, Evin quickly recovered it for me.  I think this day will be a great memory for all who attended and one of the highlights of the week.

Later we gathered around the campfire,

capping off another great day!