AMC Paddle: George's Island

This is something I've wanted to do for a long time:  paddle out to George's Island in Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.  I've been out there several times taking the ferry boat from Long Wharf, but the idea of paddling out there under my own power just seemed like a really cool idea and a fun challenge.

Our put-in was at a beach on Morrissey Boulevard in Boston, just before the Dorchester gas tanks that you always hear about the the traffic reports for the Southeast Expressway.  Our AMC leader was very well prepared and even had printed maps for us of our planned route.  From Dorchester Bay, we were to travel easterly around the north tip Thompson Island to Spectacle Island.  After a short break there, we were to paddle around the north tip of Long Island, around Gallops Island, then beach at George's Island where we would break for lunch.  Then, it was more or less a straight shot back to our launch site, with a possible break at Chapel Rock in Squantum (Quincy).  This is considered a level 2 paddle requiring open water experience and a boat at least 14' long.

The beach at Dorchester Bay is all rocks.  We have to be careful with the boats, but at least its not mud.

Here's the landmark gas tank along the Southeast Expressway that will be our beacon back home.

Once out on the water, there was a terrific view of downtown Boston.

Our first stop was Spectacle Island.  This island is where all the dirt went when the build "The Big Dig", that is, the I-93 Central Artery / Third Harbor Tunnel Project through downtown Boston, the most expensive public works project in US history.  Everybody's tax dollars were at work here.  They built a very nice visitor's center here on the island as well as a small trail network.

On the beach in front of the visitors center.  If I look a little wet, that's because I just unceremoniously fell into the water trying to get out my kayak just before snapping this picture.

After some more paddling, avoiding the speeding ferries, we made it to George's Island.  The main attraction here is Fort Warren, a Civil War fort.  Interesting visitor activities are run here throughout the summer season.

The only rain we had on this trip was a couple minutes of spritzing during lunch.  Fortunately there was a nice big tent for shelter.  Underneath you can see my fellow paddlers:  Mike, Mike, Steph, Stephen, Nancy & Ed.

One can easily take a couple hours to explore the fort, especially if the kids are along.  I'm standing here on the edge of the parade ground on the interior.

The ramparts can easily be seen on the Goolgle Earth satellite view. 

Before we departed, we watched a long stream of sailboats past the island. 

One last look up the beach before we depart the island

All told, we paddled 13.58 miles in 6 hours.

No break was needed on the way back.  We had the wind and tide pushing us all the way to our starting point.  Just after passing by the south tip of Long Island, we had to cross a very busy channel. Until it was demolished in the spring of 2015, there used to be a bridge over the channel there from Moon Island and the mainland.  At one of the bridge supports that remained, we had to actually paddle backwards to stay out of the way of motor boats and many of the sailboats we saw earlier. Eventually, we crossed safely, paddling home into the late afternoon sun.  Total distance 13.5 miles.