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.


Monday, November 25, 2013

Another Video By Roald & Atle

Here's another "rock gardening" video from the Norway boys!

click Here

Enjoy!

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!

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!

Kayak Dreams-Kayak Thoughts

The sky is clear and the sun is slowly rising.
It is -5C, feels like -9C here in Perth in eastern Ontario.
The flags are moving very little if at all.

I think I'll go for a paddle. I am well rested. I will eat appropriately.
I will think of my paddle plan.

The Bay of Quinte is beautiful. Belleville, Ontario is an incredibly beautiful place because of it.
I would love to paddle the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario in this area ... Prince Edward County.

Two men went out onto the Bay the day before last and failed to return as planned before 2200 that night.
SAR at nearby 8 Wing, CFB Trenton searched through out the night after being notified by the float plan contact.
The search is now being conducted by the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) detachment in that area.

The men went out in an aluminum boat. I have been listening to the CBC Ottawa this morning but no mention of this situation.

As a sole paddler risk management is always a concern.
As a sole paddler I abide by survival principles and ... there are some I don't abide by.

For the principles I adhere to I commend myself.
For the one's I don't adhere to I excuse my behaviour, to my detriment, no doubt.

So this news story about these two has struck a nerve. The angel on my right shoulder is quietly being heard loud and clear over the din from the devil on my other shoulder.

There is a very important lesson in this story for me and I need to hear it.

I need to listen. And to think. And do the right thing.

I so badly want these guys to be okay.
It could happen to me.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

To Gallaghers Point And Back

It was a very good paddle. Rainy with a bit of wind, but very mild ... 11C. This first image shows the trees on Hog Island. This is the Lower Rideau Lake still.

The next image shows the bridge at Rideau Ferry. Once I cross under the bridge I will be into Big Rideau Lake. There are three "Rideau" lakes ... the Lower, the Big, and the Upper. The Upper is at the highest elevation. The Lower and the Big are at a lower elevation than the Upper. The Big is called that because area wise it is the largest. 
 
The next image shows some of the islands in the Big Rideau. It is raining and slightly windy.

This one is a shot of the stern of the kayak showing the extra paddle and removable deck light.

All these photos are taken with the waterproof GoPro Hero 3. This underwater image shows the surface of the water, the hull of the kayak and the rocky bottom of the lake.

Here I am parked for a snack/break.
 
Finally, heading back towards Rideau Ferry, the Lower Rideau where I put in and take out.


 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Thirty Nine & Still Dreaming

The title of this post refers to my 39th time on the water since July 14, 2013, when my kayaking career started.

The "Dreaming" part of this post title refers to those moments when I stop in the lake and just relax ... just listen ... just be.
That dreamy state is one of the feelings that shows me how good being on the water is for my head, heart and soul!

Since my last post I have been on the water 3 more times ... on the 11th, 12th and 17th of November.

The weather is even more important on the water at this time of the year.
November 12 was the first time I paddled in freezing and snow conditions. It was snowing, the temperature was below freezing and there were wind gusts which caused the wind chill to plummet.


The ice is visible on the equipment on the above images. The equipment still performed as intended, however ... after getting off the water the paddle would not separate because the joint was frozen.

As far as the effectiveness of my thermal protection is concerned, it all worked well. My nose and cheeks and mouth did get cold in the wind.
The 5mm neoprene mitts were a lifesaver for the hands.
The hands have to be able to work. Survival depends on it.

Fortunately there were no capsizes, although I am confident that I could have self rescued should one have occurred.
The dry suit performed over and above as usual.

My most recent paddle was on the 17th. A more than 3 hour trip to Gallagher's Point and back on the Big Rideau Lake.
 
The 11C degree temperature was a gift. It was rainy and windy, but not excessive. The night of the 17th the big winds that caused havoc in Illinois came through here. By the time they arrived here they had diminished to about 50-70 km/hour winds. There were power outages across southern Ontario and Quebec.





 


Saturday, November 9, 2013

To Port Elmsley & Back

My most recent kayak adventure occurred this past November 7.

It was a paddle across the north west side of Lower Rideau Lake, past Beveridges Bay and on towards the Tay River.

It was a well planned trip. The spherical compass has made all the difference. I plotted a course on the chart to Stonehouse Island my first reference point. Once past the island I tracked to the port and consulted the chart to avoid shoals and shallows.

Here is one short video from the trip. 

 
This is taken about 15 minutes into the 2 hour journey. I am using a GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition. Handheld at this point still to install a bracket to the deck of the boat then I won't have to hold the camera.
 
It was a good paddle. No rolling or rescues on this trip. The water is cold on my head and my hands. The thermal gear keeps the rest of me dry and warm, definitely a needed investment.
 
Chao for now!