Here we are already loaded with trash after one stop on shore to pick up trash.This was at the entrance to Core Creek
on the Inland Waterway after leaving Beaufort at the Grayden Paul Bridge this morning at 9:30.
We usually begin picking up all trash immediately as soon as we see any. Today when we put in, Julia Miner from Arapahoe, had already set up
our shuttle at the Core Creek Lodge Ramp at our take-out with Bill Murray from Pine Knoll Shores. Julia had left her van there as our shuttle vehicle
to get us all back to our put-in and Bill drove them both back to Beaufort.
We were greeted by a surprisingly strong S/W breeze. Julia had informed us that she had to get back to catch the four o,clock ferry across the Neuse River.
It was obvious we could not follow the shoreline with this strong wind in our face if we did. So we cut straight across to the next point thus omitting our exploration of the large bay to our right.
Before we got there we came upon a sand bar which we had to go around. Jim and I had to stop there and change positions because the S/W wind was blowing
our tail around to the east. Jim is heavier than me and with our prow lower in the water than our stern I could hardly paddle at all without continuously correcting
our course. The shallow water we encountered made the waves stand up and slap against the canoe.
We rearranged the stuff in our canoe to the rear and balanced it and we continued on a straight course to Core Creek entrance where we finally were able to get to shore. The low tide and the sandbars and the strong S/W wind made it impossible to do so earlier. We learned one cannot get to shore to pick up trash at low tide
in this area of the Newport River. It must be done a high tide.
As we reached the wide entrance to Core Creek we could get to sandy beaches. At the first stop we loaded our canoe full as you can see below. The kayakers have to dump their stuff on us as they do not have much room to store trash. Jim and I changed positions again in the calmer waters.
You can see our lunch stop at the oyster shell beach ahead on the right. We arrive there at 11:30 and enjoyed our lunch and picked up all trash there too.
Lo and behold! After lunch the wind had turned around to the north and we paddled against a head wind all the way to our take-out. It was a cold front
coming through. We got there at before 2:00. When we got back from the shuttle Mr. Garrett Wheelus of Core Creek Lodge was there. He had opened the gate for Julia and Jim early and again for all of us as we arrived.
He very much appreciated our picking up the trash along the way and invited us to come back anytime. Core Creek Lodge is certainly a very nice place to stay if
if you wish to canoe this area.
Marion Adams of New Bern kindly contributed this picture of the scenery as we entered Core Creek from the Newport River. Beautiful, isn’t it. It depicts the weather conditions very well. But, we did not have any rain and we got Julia back in plenty of time. These are all the pictures we have for today. We were too busy just paddling to get any more.

Here is what Julia said:
HI ELMER
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR HELPING ME TO GET BACK FOR MY
AUNT CALLING HOUR.
I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO FIX MY HAIR AND PUT MAKE-UP ON.
HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU ON ELMER’S NEXT PADDLE.
Here is what Marion said: (This was her first trip with us.)
Elmer,
The others on this trip were Jack Clegg from Cedar Point and Dale Weston from Jacksonville. We all did enjoy this most unusual trip.
We will do it on a calm day at high tide next time.
One very nice thing that happened on this trip is that all the boats that past us on the Inland Waterway did slow down as they approached us. Most boaters do
follow the rules of the road and we thank them. .
Will paddle some where next week. Weather Wednesday looks good. Maybe Freemans Creek or French’s Creek in Camp Lejeune. Will
meet at main gate at 9:00 and get passes. We will know then where we can and cannot go. Would love to go to Raleigh for storm water control but can’t make it. More later.
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
101 River Reach Drive West,
Swansboro, NC. 28584
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
“If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
