The McGee Bridge put in is a good one for this area because it gives access to the northern end of West Point Lake as well as Yellowjacket Creek and the Chattahoochee River. Today, with the wind blowing a strong 10-15 knots from the southwest, I thought I'd paddle north on the Yellowjacket Creek. The whole area is made up of so many small bays and coves, paddling against the wind on the way back should not be a problem at all.
I should have brought the spray skirt because the wind was kicking up 1.0-1.5 foot wind waves. After unloading the boat and parking the truck, I had already walked back to the truck 3 times before I thought of bringing the spray skirt along. By that time I just shrugged it off.
I haven't been wearing a spray skirt or PFD for the past couple of months. Paddling mostly small rivers and creeks with waters at least in the upper 60's do not, in my opinion, require them. On large rivers and lakes, however, I feel I should have them along but have been neglecting to do so. I've been leaving a cheap PFD under the foredeck bungee, mainly because it's the law in many states and because it's easier than remembering to bring it along. I'd better get on the ball about the spray skirt though.
The Yellowjacket Creek is bigger than most of the rivers I've been paddling and is close to 100 yards across. Hardwoods and pines sit on top of 2 foot brick red banks. Other than a couple of docks, a park and a launching site with 4 boat ramps, there's no development in this area either.
For a Memorial Day weekend, there weren't many more boats out than during the week. I did see a big houseboat moored across the lake near my put in.
1.5 winds pushed me up the Yellowjacket. I'm constantly amazed by how many bays and coves are in this area. The lake, creek and river have no straight shorelines. You can't go 100 yards without twisting and turning into a cove, bay or small tributary. I let the wind push me up a mile or so up one long inlet and then struggled to get out of it again.\
I soon came to a large fork. Channel markers seemed to be going to the right so I paddled left, even though this was the larger of the 2 channels. Of course I soon saw markers in this direction plus a lot more boats so I guess I was on the main channel of the Yellowjacket Creek.
Not too much wildlife again today. A couple of blue herons, some kind of kingfisher (I think) and a few turtles.
I stopped for lunch at the end of a small bay. Paddling in, I passed a mamma duck and 5 duckies who didn't seem overly concerned about me being in the area. While eating, I spotted movement out of the corner of my eye and it was right beside me. Having just left alligator waters and having a pretty vivid imagination my heart skipped a couple of beats. When it got back to normal, I recognized mamma duck and the kids again. I guess someone's been feeding them. Every time they heard paper rustle they came streaking up to the side of the boat. I don't feed or pet or talk to wild animals or do any of the dumb things people do, so eventually they went away disappointed.
A little later they were back again. This time they seemed more interested in company than a hand out. The just hung out around the boat for a while, swimming back and forth, preening themselves and then they all swam away. Definitely not the actions of truly wild animals.
Back out on the creek again, the wind was still blowing and the boats were out in full force. Big bass boats, power boats, pontoon boats and jet skis. Lots of nice looking bikinis in evidence too.