Kayaking in Back Bay

While it seems that I never get out enough, one of my
favorite things to do is to kayak.  After separating a shoulder
while whitewater kayaking, I took up sea kayaking.  On December 30, 1999 I set out
across Back Bay. This beautiful beach and park is located right
next to the lights on the Virginia Beach resort, but it remains one of the
nation's most undiscovered parks.

In winter it is pretty desolate and even in summer the shallow water
keeps most boats out of the sound.  As the sun went down I paddled harder
in hopes of making the barrier island before nightfall.  I certianly didn't
want to be paddling in the dark and the cold!

The park is actually a barrier island that forms part of North
Carolina's famed Outer Banks.  Once I made the sound side
I took my tent and other supplies and made the short hike to
ocean side.  It was dark when I got there, but I managed to
get my tent set up and fixed my dinner.  Keep in the mind
that the temperatures were in the low double digits
so I mostly focused on staying warm.

I woke up just as dawn was rising.  For me, the last sunrise
of the millineum was spent in quite solitude.  A private sky and beach
all to my own as I toasted the most remarkable era the world has ever seen.

Note:  the pictures aren't in order.  Use the numbers to see the exact order I took them in.