It is so energizing to watch a dream become reality.
One of my goals since last July has been to find or develop a paddling partner or group. It has been a concern to me, that except for the courses I took, I haven't paddled with anybody who has more experience than myself.
So I updated my Goodreads account the other day to indicate that I had read: A Paddler's Guide To Killarney and the French River by Kevin Callen. That prompted a good acquaintance of mine to make me aware that he also had three of Callen's books.
Now I knew that Dave did have a sailboat at one time. Dave has a proven track record as an adventurer. It turns out he also has a couple of kayaks, as well camping gear.
What makes him unique is that he has extensive outdoor/survival experience. Previously he has had careers with the police department and with armed forces in an international hotspot.
So him and I are planning a kayak/camping trip to Northern Georgian Bay for 9 nights in early July.
And when stuff starts happening on Georgian Bay, I couldn't ask for a better survivor, a better soldier to be with.
He can be counted on!
Philip Edward Island is crown land. It costs nothing to camp there. It is also an immediate safe haven because when the water on Georgian Bay turns wild, it offers a nearby water exit.
I can hardly wait. The weekend before our trip I will complete the PC Level 1 Kayak Skills course. To follow that up with an 11 day trip really will be fun, a wonderful experience!
Even better, now I won't have to do it alone. That length of time on Georgian Bay will be a challenge of sorts. It certainly is an "envelope pusher" for me.
Later in the year I will do a three night solo trip to be followed by two other overnight trips of one or two nights each. Perhaps Dave and I can partner up if our schedules allow.
The experience this year will be invaluable for next year's trip to Lake Superior!
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Brittany Kayaking
This is really cool! It shows capsizes, rescues, a failed roll or two ... I can relate to that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGvoLrADm_s
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGvoLrADm_s
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Frozen Out
Winter is here. For the next six days it will be minus double digits Celsius.
The lakes were frozen days ago and this cold spell will freeze the rivers as well.
Still it was a good first kayak season for me.
I was able to average 10 times on the water per month. My last time on the lake was November 17. Life has been good and busy as usual.
I achieved my goal ... I successfully rolled the kayak ... twice!
My research enabled me to find a practice routine that works. The routine is the paddle float technique. It requires attaching the paddle float to the paddle and practicing the "hip flip". Paying special attention to not raise the head while executing the move.
So now I will concentrate on a camping trip or two over the winter. If I can do two trips I will be happy. Of course, Frontenac Provincial Park is must. Maybe Mew Lake at Algonquin Park. Mew Lake is car camping or yurt camping. Frontenac is hiking in ... no car camping unless you walk at least a mile and a half back to the car.
My winter camping at Kingsford Lake taught me well: after dark, stay put.
Of course if there is a group of you, that makes a difference. The problem is finding people with the desire, experience and equipment to camp in sub zero weather. I think I will try out the winter sleeping bag in the car first, this week. In the parking lot.
It is going to be minus 18 or thereabouts for the next week or so. A good time to check it out.
The thing about Frontenac is that both times I camped there in the winter, the park belonged to me and the coyotes and the Canada Goose. I was the only human in the 14,000 acre piece of heaven.
To be precise, at the time I had a wonderful girlfriend so I wasn't entirely alone.
The similarity between camping by yourself and kayaking is this: Risk Management & Planning.
My three night kayak camping trip to Doe Lake this past summer was the first time I had ever camped alone. It was the first time I had kayaked alone as well, because it was only the second time in my life I had kayaked. On the way home from Doe Lake I had a three hour kayaking adventure on Devils Lake.
Solo kayaking, from a safety standpoint is not ideal but it takes time to find and establish a kayak community. It takes time to get involved.
I accomplished some important skills in four months. Especially the rescues. That was the bulk of my time on the water. Even though it was solo, it was very productive as far as self rescue is concerned.
I gained experience. The most valuable lesson I learned on my kayak camping trip is this: things will go wrong. Events will occur that will demand good judgement. There will be significant challenges.
I loved every second of it.
So kayaking is on hold until the thaw. Hopefully I will establish some contacts.
The lakes were frozen days ago and this cold spell will freeze the rivers as well.
Still it was a good first kayak season for me.
I was able to average 10 times on the water per month. My last time on the lake was November 17. Life has been good and busy as usual.
I achieved my goal ... I successfully rolled the kayak ... twice!
My research enabled me to find a practice routine that works. The routine is the paddle float technique. It requires attaching the paddle float to the paddle and practicing the "hip flip". Paying special attention to not raise the head while executing the move.
So now I will concentrate on a camping trip or two over the winter. If I can do two trips I will be happy. Of course, Frontenac Provincial Park is must. Maybe Mew Lake at Algonquin Park. Mew Lake is car camping or yurt camping. Frontenac is hiking in ... no car camping unless you walk at least a mile and a half back to the car.
My winter camping at Kingsford Lake taught me well: after dark, stay put.
Of course if there is a group of you, that makes a difference. The problem is finding people with the desire, experience and equipment to camp in sub zero weather. I think I will try out the winter sleeping bag in the car first, this week. In the parking lot.
It is going to be minus 18 or thereabouts for the next week or so. A good time to check it out.
The thing about Frontenac is that both times I camped there in the winter, the park belonged to me and the coyotes and the Canada Goose. I was the only human in the 14,000 acre piece of heaven.
To be precise, at the time I had a wonderful girlfriend so I wasn't entirely alone.
My three night kayak camping trip to Doe Lake this past summer was the first time I had ever camped alone. It was the first time I had kayaked alone as well, because it was only the second time in my life I had kayaked. On the way home from Doe Lake I had a three hour kayaking adventure on Devils Lake.
Solo kayaking, from a safety standpoint is not ideal but it takes time to find and establish a kayak community. It takes time to get involved.
I accomplished some important skills in four months. Especially the rescues. That was the bulk of my time on the water. Even though it was solo, it was very productive as far as self rescue is concerned.
I gained experience. The most valuable lesson I learned on my kayak camping trip is this: things will go wrong. Events will occur that will demand good judgement. There will be significant challenges.
I loved every second of it.
So kayaking is on hold until the thaw. Hopefully I will establish some contacts.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Ice On The Water
The cold weather has arrived!
Last night's low was -22, and the night before -26. Celsius that is.
So yes. At those low temperature's the lake freezes.
I am hoping for a warm spell soon. If these temperatures continue the ice will be too thick for a warm spell to thaw.
Lake Ontario is still open. It is one matter to solo on the Rideau Lakes. It is an entirely different proposition to solo on the big water of Lake Ontario.
Sea Kayaking by John Dowd is still going to take a little longer to arrive.
No news on the men missing in the Bay of Quinte.
Off to London at the end of the week for a holiday visit with my babies.
Last night's low was -22, and the night before -26. Celsius that is.
So yes. At those low temperature's the lake freezes.
I am hoping for a warm spell soon. If these temperatures continue the ice will be too thick for a warm spell to thaw.
Lake Ontario is still open. It is one matter to solo on the Rideau Lakes. It is an entirely different proposition to solo on the big water of Lake Ontario.
Sea Kayaking by John Dowd is still going to take a little longer to arrive.
No news on the men missing in the Bay of Quinte.
Off to London at the end of the week for a holiday visit with my babies.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
This past Friday, November 22nd I paid a visit to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes.
click here
You probably already know if you would like it here. I knew I would like it too ... but I enjoyed it very much once I got there and saw some of the exhibits!
I didn't visit for as long as I should have, but this was a reconnaissance trip to check it out.
It is very much on the list of things to do for next season. After this week visits are by appointment only.
It is very cold these past few days. It will mild up for a day or two, but then it will cool off a bit.
Still I am feeling rather adventurous and I would like to get my 40th water event under my hull! Lol!
Off for walk.
Enjoy the day!
click here
You probably already know if you would like it here. I knew I would like it too ... but I enjoyed it very much once I got there and saw some of the exhibits!
I didn't visit for as long as I should have, but this was a reconnaissance trip to check it out.
It is very much on the list of things to do for next season. After this week visits are by appointment only.
It is very cold these past few days. It will mild up for a day or two, but then it will cool off a bit.
Still I am feeling rather adventurous and I would like to get my 40th water event under my hull! Lol!
Off for walk.
Enjoy the day!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
This Is Not The Pond I Paddle In!
This is a little different from what I do ...
Actually it's a lot different from what I do!!!
click Here
Wow!
Actually it's a lot different from what I do!!!
click Here
Wow!
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