Scouting

Another day, another island! For quite awhile we have wanted to launch the kayaks on the Indian River at a park near Bathtub Reef Beach on the southernmost end of Hutchinson Island. Today was predicted to have light east winds, so we were ready and portaged the yaks the short distance to the beach from the parking lot. 

Once we were out on the river, we found that the current was flying out and it was quite a sleigh ride...until we reminded ourselves that we had to paddle back into it once we turned around at our sandbar destination. Time for a change in plans and we headed across the river instead, crossing many sandbar shoals, towards a bunch of islands that were probably made from the dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway. We ended up at the cutest little island called Boy Scout Island. 

The water was clear, even though the tide was going out, and the sand was white and clean, along with the whole island which didn't have a speck of litter. Plus no one else was there and only a couple of fishermen were in the distance. Dave found trails to the north side of the island, and you can see the Stuart Causeway in the distance. 

Walking along the shoreline, we came across several old fallen trees that the roots made great pieces of artwork.

When it was time to head back to the mainland, which in this area is a skinny peninsula, the river was flat calm and we nicknamed it Indian Lake or to honor the Sea of Abaco, the "Sea of Stuart". That is Gilbert's House of Refuge in the distance, so you can tell how narrow the land is (the other side of the house is right on the ocean beach).

We were shocked to see a Portuguese Man-O-War jellyfish, and this one was still quite alive, complete with a small fish hiding in its tentacles. We also saw a turtle and lots of jumping mullets, but luckily no sharks that frequent this area (including a hammerhead!).

Once again we had another perfect day exploring new spots. We'll be back!