Brandt Beach and the island with "almost ground"!

This blog will chronicle our (Pat and Patty Anderson's) 

cruising adventures on the Great Loop!

DAY 62 - June 1, 2017

Mary delivered us to Larsen's Marina bright and early. We got our bags and baggage on board, walked Baxter one last time, cast off our lines, and pointed the bow north!

We originally thought we would be stopping at Atlantic City today, but we decided that was not far enough, so Patty picked an anchorage closer to the halfway point to Manasquan. She chose Brandt Beach, which turned out to be a dandy spot!  As always, our #1 priority is landing Baxter, and the reviews said we could land a dog on the uninhabited island, which turned out to be mostly true!

The anchorage has decent wind protection, because it is between the New Jersey barrier island and a little uninhabited island off the NJICW.  It was breezy when we anchored in 8 feet, so we put out 25 feet of chain and 90 feet of rode, but we were never tested by the wind. It was almost dead calm by about 5:30 p.m., and it was an easy paddle to the island with Baxter, who now sports a spiffy yellow Paws Aboard doggie life jacket, look for a photo in the near future!

The little island had mostly marsh grass along its shores, but at low tide, there was a little bit of "almost ground" directly opposite from us.  I could see that the far north end had a lot more "almost ground," but this spot was much closer. I nosed the kayak into the marsh grass as close as I could get to the "almost ground," waded in ankle deep water for a few feet, pulled the kayak up, and carried Baxter up for his business, since he HATES wet paws!  He was pretty funny, after he did his #1, he hopped back in the kayak! I pulled him out, since I was not going to leave until ALL his business was finished! He did that eventually, and we were both...relieved!