Day #1 of heat wave....I decide to take the kayak out, alone, for the first time in about 2 years.
Although it's not my favorite spot, I went to the closest put-in spot in my town. I headed for the town boat ramp on Lake Lillinoah, about a mile or so past the state boat ramp on the same road, same body of water. They call it a lake, but it's really just a very wide river.
When I arrived at 7:50 a.m., the gate was closed, causing me to do a u-turn back to the state boat ramp a mile down the road.
There were about a half dozen vehicles and empty trailers already in the parking lot.
I unloaded the boat and pushed out into a channel that opens into the lake after about a half mile.
Today's the first day of at least a week-long heatwave with temps in the 90s, so I wanted to get an early start, and in fact, the fog was still overhanging the water, so much so that I worried a powerboat bearing down on me might not see me.
I hugged the shore and entertained myself by looking at all the houses.
Some are quite grand.
And some homes can't even be seen from the lake.
I startled a great blue heron on the dock (at right) who silently took wing when I came too close.
The first hour of my journey was calm and quiet, but 9 a.m. seemed to be the magic hour when a jet ski as annoying as a high-pitched, buzzing mosquito buzzed around. Mostly, there were just people fishing from their boats.
I went as far as the bridge, then turned around. I didn't want to overdo my first kayaking trip in a while, even though it's wonderful upper body exercise for me.
I made it back in half the time, due to the current.
There were more people unloading boats in the water, and an older man with his own kayak offered to help me get my boat on my car. Since I'd been paddling for a few hours, I was tired, so I said yes.
I enjoyed it so much that I hope to go again next Friday (a day off) when I think it might be quieter on the water. And I want to leave from the town boat ramp, about a half mile further north, so that I can paddle beyond the bridge. I'll have to call Parks & Rec to see when they open that gate up on a weekday.
And maybe I'll pack a simple lunch of some sort.
A Good Place to Be in a Heat Wave
August 15th, 2009 at 03:06 pm
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August 15th, 2009 at 06:24 pm 1250360668
August 15th, 2009 at 06:54 pm 1250362445
What a peaceful and relaxing journey ...
August 15th, 2009 at 08:07 pm 1250366827
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August 16th, 2009 at 01:42 am 1250386967
August 16th, 2009 at 02:02 am 1250388162