Winds were 15-20mph, air temp was about 50F, waves were 1-2 feet.
The paddle out in the bay to Boat Meadow is close to straight upwind (NNE), with swells from the NW. I usually choose to paddle upwind first on these solo trips since it is the most strenuous. The wind determines my destination – it was going to be either Boat Meadow marsh or Skaket Beach. While out in the bay halfway to Boat Meadow, I hear on the marine radio “did you see those two great whites? 16-18 feet long, longest I’ve seen all season!” Based on horizon distance and height of a typical fishing boat, those two fishing boats were likely within 5 miles of me. I like to think “most of the sharks are on the Atlantic side of the Cape” but that is not always true! All I could do is just paddle and assume nowhere near me, given how shallow the bay is where I am. It was only 2 hours past low tide, so the water was likely 2-4 feet deep, even a half mile out.
In the shelter of Boat Meadow, I explored the marsh inland. The 10+ foot tide changes here result in mud walls in the marsh that were still 3+ feet tall at this time of tide. I see some movement about 20 feet away, above me in the marsh grass. On the grass, looking down at me, is a coyote. It seemed large compared to others I’ve seen around here at a distance, looking 3 feet tall from feet to top of head (and I likely overestimated as I’m looking up at it!) It just stared at me for a while (as I stopped and paddled backwards), then just turned around and walked away.
The return trip was uneventful with challenging trailing seas at about a 45 degree angle to my course. Trailing seas are both fun (reminds me a little of whitewater surfing) and a little unnevering at the same time (they can grab your stern and turn you if not careful). I dropped my skeg for stabilty, got back to the harbor, decided to take out at the new Eastham Rock Harbor boat ramp and walk 10 minutes back to the house. As usual, every car stares at the guy walking down the road in full kayak gear (PFD, drysuit, skirt) towing a kayak on a home-made cart.