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Going Coastal
Wild River Outfitters Touring Co. instructor Ed Schiller shows how stable kayaks can be when "rafted" together.
(By Tom Noffsinger -- Wild River Outfitters Touring Co.)
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Downtime consisted of staring at the shoreside sunset from a porch rocking chair or hiking the park's sandy scrub trail system. Bellies were kept full by weekend chef Patty Adkins, who served tasty pancakes in the morning and some mean shrimp kebabs for dinner.
The weekend was also an opportunity to try a variety of kayaks. Since a decent touring craft runs $1,000 to $1,400, newcomers pondering an expensive commitment appreciated the sampling.
"Canoeing is like driving a big van, but kayaking is like driving a sports car," said first-time paddler Susan Warner, 49, of Virginia Beach.
On the morning of the final day, it was time to add a little adrenaline, and boaters busted through the choppy break of the ocean. Out past the frothy whitewash and the sandbar, the sea steadied and bottlenose dolphins swam between the boats.
The air was quiet, the skies clear. It was wonderful to be on this popular, crowded coast and hear no engines, a heartening example of eco-travel at its finest.
It was the right formula for Brian and Cheryl Shortell, a retired couple who recently moved from Alexandria to Williamsburg.
"I like this because it's something both my wife and I can do together," said Brian, 60.
Tom Noffsinger, a 36-year-old Web developer from Chesapeake, Va., took a kayaking class five years ago, and it prompted him to become a trip instructor. Now he regularly helps Schiller, enjoying time on the water while watching a growing number of paddlers experience his passion.
"It's an addicting experience with health benefits," Noffsinger said. "That's why we're starting to see more people on the water."
