I had some time this afternoon and decided to run over to Haulover Canal for a quick paddle.

route(view in Google Earth)

GPS tracking powered by InstaMapper.com

I started from the large landing area at the west end of the canal.

P5120009Took the canal east under the bridge and out into open water for a short way.

P5120012  The water’s eroded small sea-caves in the bank, visible at low tide.

P5120013There appeared to be a single manatee at the observation platform, but it was very close to shore, so no good pictures.  But once onto open water, you have to ask yourself: Is there a better place to be on a Florida afternoon?

P5120016Outside the shelter of the canal, the wind was just a little east of south, so had a full six-mile fetch to work up the waves.

P5120020So after about a mile of paddling straight into the wind, I turned around and headed back to the canal.  Is it a bad sign when the buzzards start circling your boat?

P5120024Back in the canal, still no good manatee pictures, but I did find a dolphin enjoying himself.

P5120035And churning up quite a wake from under the surface.

P5120040P5120041      P5120046

And managed to get a little bit of video of him:

Since I had to be home by eight, it was time to pull the boat out and head back.  At an hour one way to get there from my house, I spent more time in the car than on the water … it’s a fair trade.