July 27, 2010 - Garnet Lake

I went for a kayak paddle today at Garnet Lake, circum-navigating the lake for 7.4 km. It was a hot afternoon and a few splashes of cool water on my face and arms kept me cool.

Here is a photo looking back at the south end of the lake where I launched.

  

Just around the corner there is a large rock fall right into the water.

Here are a couple of shots of the lake heading north.

I did see and hear a loon on the lake. It's eerie call is not one you can forget, and is always nice to hear.

I also disturbed a few Canada geese on the shore.

When you finally get down to the north end, this is what it looks like.

Lots of weeds growing up and out of the lake.

Some underwater weeds.

Self portrait.

Ready to load up and head home. Beware of the new higher chain link fence all around the parking lot. You may be in for some fun unloading and loading up the kayak. My Malone system worked well backing right up to the fence.

Thanks for visiting and keep paddling.

Okanagan Lake - July 18, 2010

An 8:30 AM start to today's club paddle. We met at the Indian Rock boat launch at roads end in Naramata. This was only about 50 km. from home in Summerland. It was a beautiful morning for kayaking and we enjoyed our paddling.

We stopped at Van Hyce beach for a short break on the way north and a few of us went in for a swim.

Today was scheduled for a paddle and a hike. We stopped again at the far side of Commando Bay, the GPS says we travelled 8.4 km.

We came across a Merganser duck family out for a paddle.

The hike was planned with Orion from Sagebrush Nursery in Oliver. He showed us and told us about various native plants we came across on the hike. One of the plants that can be trouble is poison ivy and here is what to look for if you want to avoid it. (Leaves of three - Let them be)

Here are the kayaks on the beach at the start of the hike.

We even came across a rattlesnake. Can you see it in this photo?

We were hiking up the trail in a draw and we heard the rattling in the grass beside the trail. I guess he was just letting us know he was there. He didn't get excited, just kept slowly moving away through the grasses. Probably 3.5 to 4 feet long. Apparently that is a rather large specimen. A Western Diamondback we were told.


If you heard a scream echoing down the lake around noon on Sunday, that was Janet after seeing and hearing the snake beside the trail.


It was great to get up on the mountainside and get a few different views of the Okanagan valley.

This is looking south to Penticton.

And this is looking north to Kelowna.

At one point, Janet and I came across a school of good sized fish all swimming near a large tree that had fallen into the lake. I tried to get an underwater photo, but manoeuvring the kayak in the waves and wind and trying to lean over getting the camera in the water and of course the fish not knowing what I wanted them to do; made the job rather challenging. Here is the only shot that sort of turned out.

On the way back, Janet and I stopped again at Van Hyce beach for a swim and a rest. Beautiful day out.

Here is a photo of us on our way back south.

Wildlife seen included quite a few fish, a Merganser duck family, a bald eagle, and of course the rattlesnake.


Thanks for visiting and keep on paddling.

Okanagan Lake - July 14, 2010

A nice evening for a paddle.

A few members of the Hoodoo Adventure Club were out tonight to enjoy the summer evening. We paddled from the Soorimpt boat launch (between Penticton and Summerland) north around Trout Creek to The Local restaurant and pub on the Summerland waterfront.

It was an uneventful and enjoyable evening for most of us. Lyndie and Mackenzie had a little bit of adventure in Lyndie started off trying to tow Mackenzie in a small whitewater boat. This did not work out too well as the small boat would not track and just skidded back and forth on the water turning nearly sideways at times. Too tough to paddle very far like this.

Marcel and Lyndie then teamed up for a twin tow which worked a little better and shared the workload.
Mackenzie tried to steer as best she could, however eventually she got caught with the paddle too close to the boat on a side slip and the effect of the water pushing on the paddle dumped her in the lake. Mackenzie then made the balance of the trip laying on the back deck of Lyndies boat. Marcel towed the empty boat and I am sure he got a good workout tonight.

We came across a duck and a huge flock of ducklings out enjoying an evening paddle also. I am guessing that these are Merganser ducks. If anyone can confirm, please leave a comment. Here is a photo. check out all these babies born to paddle.

Hey there is a new saying for kayak enthusiasts. Born to Paddle. I can just about see the T shirts now.

On a personal note, tonight before leaving the shore I shortened up my kayak foot rests a notch which had the desired effect of forcing my thighs up under the thigh rests giving me a more solid contact with the kayak. A little easier now to become one with the boat, assisting edging and balance maneuvers.

Here are a few photos.

Thanks for visiting, leave a comment if you wish and keep paddling.

Okanagan Lake - July 8, 2010

Tonight the HooDoo Adventure Club went on a paddle from Marina Way in Penticton to 3 mile Beach in Naramata.



It was a beautiful, warm,  maybe even hot, evening for a paddle and there was a good turnout of 15 boats.



Everyone was in a good mood because it was the real beginning of summer with a blue blazer sky, hot weather and little wind. There was lots of smiles and eagerness to get going tonight. We were all ready to enjoy kayaking.



The sun was dancing on the water like diamonds.

On the way up the lake I spotted something moving on shore and went to investigate and found some Canada Geese enjoying the night also.

Probably about half way there we stopped to watch if 2 members could change boats out in the lake. They did it and they did it a little too easily for the rest of us to believe. A few funny comments and a good laugh for all.

Nearing the beach, I stopped paddling and looked back and found that Okanagan Lake was just full of kayaks tonight.

Close to me at one time was Marcel Allaire, the gentleman who keeps us informed of the club events via email. We all appreciate his notes that keep us up to date on the club.

Lyndie had planned for what she called "beverage and some snacks" on the beach. Well we were all pleasantly surprised to find her setting up a layout of wines, cheeses, crackers and tortilla chips for our enjoyment. Well done Lyndie ! 

As you can see from the next few photos, the beach was full of kayaks of all makes and models and colors. That's one of the great things about this club, everyone is happy to be kayaking and the boat is just the vehicle that allows the sport. You don't have to have a certain boat or skill to enjoy the time on the water. Everyone helps out each other and a good time is had by all.

I looked all around and I could not find the - No Kayak Parking Sign . So I guess we are safe to park here.

A few of us went for a swim and cooled off before our return paddle.

The sun was just about to set and Janet and I got on the water first to get a couple of sunset shots and head back along the shore.

On this next shot, I held the camera down at the water level and got the side of the kayak and the sunset.

And here is my final shot on the way back, a silhouette of Janet after the sun had gone down.

Thanks for visiting and keep on paddling.

I have received some photos by email from Marcel, so here are some of his pics to enjoy.

Okanagan Lake - July 4, 2010

July 4, 2010.

Out for a paddle today by myself. I launched halfway between the Summerland boat launch and Crescent Beach to the north.

A nice quiet little sandy beach and a very good launch site.

I travelled south along the lake shore, past the parks and through the marina.
A slight wind in the face heading south.

Heading south towards Trout Creek.

Another shot with the camera held down by the water. Just for fun. Must have more fun. Fun and more fun, I like that.

I went a little past Illahie RV park and then turned around and headed back. It was fairly calm for a while.

And another photo of the Summerland hill from my turn around point.

After about half way back north, the wind started to pick up and from the three quarter mark I was really facing some strong swirling gusts. Had to stop paddling a couple of times to hold my hat on. At the Summerland Marina they have a bird platform and I caught this one taking flight. I'm guessing it is an osprey.

Got back safely with no problem and loaded up and headed home. Here is my kayak just before lifting to my shoulder to carry to the car. I set it on a couple of chunks of pool noodle to keep the sand off the boat bottom.

It is interesting how the camera records the boat color when in the bright sunshine, turning the orange to yellow while leaving the orange color in the shade.

The GPS tells me I had travelled 8.9 km. paddling, and I was out there 2 hours. 

Thanks for visiting, leave a comment and keep paddling.