2011.22.220 - Elk Lake

Today, on another sunny summer's day, Louise and I decided to be spontaneous and change our plans and paddle at Elk Lake, a place that we haven't paddled at in an astonishing four years. In fact the last time we paddled here was my first paddle back after breaking and dislocating my arm and shoulder in a bicycle riding accident. Where does all the time go? Too many places to paddle, not enough time.
It's also a fitting place to paddle, as my paddling career (such as it is) started right here:

Well, not at the Cat Clinic obviously, but on this spot across form the beach where the Cat Clinic stands now once stood a shop that rented kayaks and other assorted water sports accessories, and it was about six years ago that Paula and Bernie bought a used Pamlico play boat from the shop and on this beach that they let me have a try in it. And I've been broke ever since, but loving every minute of it.

Elk Lake is local shorthand; it's actually two connected lakes and parks, Elk Lake, the larger to the north, and Beaver Lake to the south. We were launching from Hamster Beach on Elk Lake. Hamster Beach is named because the beach was once overrun by hamsters. This caused an influx of feral cats to the area, prompting the building of the Cat Clinic-- excuse me, but-- no, I'm busy...I'm writing the blog right now-- just telling the story of Hamster Beach...what?...really? Oh.
Sorry about that. I've just been informed that the name of the beach is Hamsterly Beach, and that my story about the hamsters wasn't very funny anyway. Some people have no sense of humour. Who makes adverbs out of nouns anyway? Hamsterly. Humph.
Anyway, we put in at Hamsterly Beach....

...and carefully avoided the rowers from the nearby rowing centre.


Sunny and warm, water like glass. We decided to go around the shores of both lakes.



We saw an eagle perched high in a tree surveying its domain, and a fish jump nearly two metres out of the water. How strange that was! Straight up like a mackerel missile, although it was probably a trout or a bass. We meandered around the south end of Beaver Lake. And then we saw turtles.

There were seven on this log, although one had scampered back into the water by the time I got my camera out.

I think these are the Western Painted Turtle, an endangered species. The Habitat Acquisition Trust is monitoring the plight of the Western Painted Turtle -- check out their website here.
A few minutes later we found another turtle going solo on an different log. I think this one is a Slider.


As we rounded the north end of Elk Lake, we saw a heron in stealth mode in the reeds.

It was such a good idea that even the ducks were trying it.


The end of the paddle drew near. Where does the time go?


Trip Length: 10.44 km
YTD: 180.13 km
More pictures are here.

2007.01.65 - Back in the Paddle Again

Despite my prediction in the last installment that it might be at least a month before I'd be back on the water or on my bike, a few days ago my physio-therapist gave me permission to kayak and ride again. So not being a person to let moss grow under my feet, mainly because then they smell icky and turn green, it was time to return to action with a short paddle at Elk Lake.
The Usual Gang showed up: Alison, Paula, Louise, Bernie, and myself. Even the elusive Dennis appeared.


My left arm is still weak, so getting in and out was a bit of a challenge. I tried a couple of times on land and it was doable. So I got into my kayak and Paula pushed me off.


And now, 161 days after my last paddle, I can only paraphrase Bill Murray from the film What About Bob?: I'm paddling! I'm paddling!


Louise soon hit the water, while Dennis decided to wave goodbye and go home. No, just kidding. It was good to have the gang out on the water again.


Bernie headed out.


Dennis decided that I was taking too many pictures of Bernie, so he made sure that Bernie's face was hidden in this picture.


It was busy out on the lake today... the rowing club was having a big celebration this weekend and was using much of the lake, but that was okay. We were just doing a small, short paddle today, because I didn't want to overdo it on my first paddle.


So we paddled gently and watched the races.


My shoulder survived reasonably well. It was sore and stiff, but not overly so. The hardest part was tying down the kayaks onto the van. Holding my arms up while tying off the straps took a lot of effort. But I did it! Or rather, we did it, as everyone was very keen to help. Afterward, The Gang presented me with a Challenge Trophy, for overcoming a challenge!


Ah, bliss!


My pictures are here.

2006.37.52 - Mid-Week Paddle

Last night Louise and I were joined for a mid-week paddle at Elk Lake by her brother Garnon...

...and sister-in-law Isabelle.


You can see how small their inflatable Skedaddles are compared to Louise's Delta. Mind you, they turn on a dime and give six cents change.


They live on Coles Bay and wanted something to paddle in the bay. They ended up buying a pair of Skedaddles just like Paula's (see here).


So we headed down the lake looking for nature and found some. I think this is the same heron we saw here last month. It's in exactly the same spot.


Time to head back. Garnon spent the return trip talking to himself, something about trying to figure whether they would do a lot of paddling if they got better kayaks. Have two more come over to the Dark Side? Only time will tell!



Paddling into the sunset.


My photos are here.

2006.33.48 - Elk Lake II: Return of the Bernie

A beautiful evening at Elk Lake. The heat wave of the last week has broken and temperatures have returned to their normal mid-20s range, and the days have been gloriously sunny and bright, but not overly hot. Perfect paddling weather.
We return to Elk Lake for another practice session in swallow water. But the beach area is filled with swimmers so we decide on a paddle instead. Still, the water was warm, the sky was clear, and the natives were friendly. Wait -- that's not a native... that's a Bernie!


And away we go! It was Paula, Louise, Bernie and myself today.


Paula gets an early lead.


The ducks kindly shared the lake with us.


Louise tries her hand at geese wrangling. It doesn't go well.


A perfect day for just letting the current carry you wherever it may...


Every time we've been out the last few weeks, I've found a heron. Today was no exception.


Karl and Stephanie joined us. They've developed an unerring ability to arrive a few minutes after the rest of us have put in and to go the wrong way to look for us.


Stephanie takes a shortcut.


As we approached shore, Bernie decided to try a roll.

He's got the tipping over part down very well.

Bernie tried his roll, but no luck.

He tried to scramble in...

...but no luck that way either. Maybe Bernie was tired from jet lag, but he couldn't get back in his boat in any way. "I'm a dead man," he said.
However, Stephanie got into Bernie's boat.


We were treated to a rare Karlfish sighting.


Our work here is done.


My pictures are here.

2006.27.42 - Elk Lake

Another Thursday practice session on Elk Lake. When we arrived, we faced the typical early evening Elk Lake breeze and chop, but once we got in the water the wind died off and the water flattened out. Even the ducks were happy with the change!


Tracy was first in the water (and first in the drink). You can see that it's still a little bumpy on the water.


Louise hit the water next. There were a couple of other kayak groups out (Peter from Pacifica had a paddle group out), as well as lots of swimmers. There were also a few people who had rented paddleboats on the water.


Tracy is either jealous of Louise's Delta and is trying to pull her out of it, or is assisting her in learning how do a roll.


Paula displays excellent form as she gets into her small inflatable-- ow! Paula-- ouch-- stop hitting me, Paula!


Karl and Stephanie head out for a paddle while the rest of us practice not drowning.


Tracy's help obviously paid off as Louise finally mastered a roll! Well, the first part, anyway. Louise tipped and had to do a wet exit. She also performed a self rescue!


In this series of award-winning photographs (2006 Buckeye Newshawk Award), Paula tries tipping then re-entering her kayak.
She found it very buoyant and hard to tip...

... but with a little effort...

... she found herself swimming.


She tipped twice. The first time, I helped her with an assisted rescue, but the second time...

... she scrambled in by herself!


She decided to celebrate by standing on her boat. (Take that, Dennis!)


Yes, even your intrepid reporter took a turn in the drink!


Meanwhile, Stephanie had discovered a new way to either rescue a swimmer or perform a vasectomy at sea.


My photos are here.