Escape.
While the masses headed to the glistening white halls of commercialism in the local malls and strip centers to get their Holiday On I loaded up the gear and as they say, “Got Out of Dodge”.
Heading for solitude and a breathe of fresh air I went back to Island Beach State Park and the Sedge Islands off of Seaside Heights in New Jersey. I visited this spot last on the day I picked up my new P&H Capella 161. That was back in late July and the crowds and boating traffic were thick. Today it was bliss, they were all shopping.
With the sun in full force and air temperatures in the upper fifties I could not have asked for better weather. When I arrived at the put in there was a brisk strong wind blowing across the bay white capping the outgoing tide. The water temperature was reported 55 degrees F.
From the web:
Island Beach State Park is a preserved barrier island that protects a number of natural shoreline and nearshore habitats. The park contains close to ten miles of sandy beach, an extensive shoreline along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes, and tidal marshes. Island Beach is also home to foxes, ospreys, other wildlife, and more than 400 species of plants.
Island Beach State Park is located at the southern terminus of Route 35 and is just a short drive from the boardwalks and beaches of Seaside Heights. The southern tip of the Island Beach State Park bounds one side of Barnegat Inlet and offers a beautiful view of Barnegat Lighthouse. The lighthouse is part of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park which is located on the opposite side of the inlet, on Long Beach Island.
I made my way out the channel and into Barnegate Bay turning south to round the Southern point of the island and headed toward the inlet and Barnegate Lighthouse. The wind was a force as I began my paddle but I had a very strong ebbing tide with me making the way quite easy and fun. I made a few stops on the bright white sands of the small islands and bars that make up the Southern tip of the park. On one bar I stood and watched amazed by literally thousands of gulls taking off and flying in large choreographed circles, then to land back down and repeat.
The silence but for the wind and water was refreshing. The occasional fishermen would cruise by but for the most part I was left alone in a beautiful landscape.
As I reached the entrance of the inlet to my left a large channel of water from the back bay emptied into the inlet on the Island Beach side. Across this channel there is the remnants of a very large tube of fabric that had been filled with sand and submerged across the channel. A somewhat normal site on New Jersey beaches the Army Corps of engineers uses these to help keep beach erosion in check. As the tide emptied and fell the water pouring over the tube began to form a small but very fun tide race in which I spent well over an hour playing in.
After stopping again for a stretch and lunch I headed back to the put in. The winds had died by early afternoon but I still had to fight a very strong tide that was still heading out. The going was tough but I enjoyed the challenge and welcomed the exercise.
What a Black Friday, I got so much accomplished: paddled, exercised, basked in the glory of nature, and simply found peace in myself on the water. Now that is the Door Buster!
I highly recommend this area for anyone who may be looking for a great place to get out in Southern New Jersey. The beaches here are beautiful and the park is very well managed. There is plenty of parking and numerous facilities. It is only $5.00 to enter during the off season and $10.00 in season. There is so much to do and see including nature centers, fishing, hiking, biking, swimming and of course paddling. Late September into October is your best bet as the weather is still quite warm as well as the water temperatures and you do not have the crowds and biting insects to contend with. If your proficient enough and have the proper gear November through March can be quite rewarding as the starkness of winter and the absence of people can make for a very surreal experience.
Be sure to check out the gallery of images.
On a footnote on one of my breaks today I watched as a tandem kayak slowly made it’s way from the Atlantic through the inlet to land on the sand bar that I was on. The boat was a typical 12 foot or so plastic rec kayak. Open cockpit. Two men were paddling. Both not wearing PFD’s, they were strapped to the deck. Both in COTTON sweatshirts, shorts and water shoes. No gloves. They did have hats on but I was unsure of the material. Now call me crazy but the air temperatures were in the high fifties, the water temperature was only 55 degrees F, the wind was blowing quite a bit and the inlet was in a ranging flow. Is it any wonder I am always reading about deaths on the water? I stood there in my dry top and pants, layered under with Capilene, neoprene socks and my Keen neoprene boots along with a wool hat and neoprene gloves aghast.
Stupid is as stupid does.