Overdid at Lake

 I went to the lake Friday.

It was afternoon when I went and I stayed only a couple hours.

I got the very last parking place for a single car and it was the farthest from the boat ramp but at least I got a spot.

I knew I couldn't go this weekend, because it would be crowded.  It was low 90's yesterday and may be close to 100 today.

Very windy.  I paddled across the arm and around the point, then followed, mostly, the shoreline down under the second bridge and on to Sunnyside, where there are swimming areas, a swim dock and the boat ramp for the campground.  I don't like to put in there at Sunnyside with my kayak or at the other ramp down from Lewis Creek because the ramps are long and very steep and it makes me nervous since my parking brake doesn't hold that well.  There are no kayak put ins anywhere around the lake, which is strange given the sheer number of kayaks and paddle boarders who now use the lake.  It would be so nice if there was a kayak chute type ramp with lots of car without boat trailer parking.

I was stopped by the deputies near the 2nd bridge.  They were checking to be sure I had the three required items--life jacket, state permit and a whistle.  I showed them the yellow plastic whistle I have and told them they had given it to me a few years ago.   They said now they only have blue metal ones to hand out now and they are not as good.   The state permit is for any water vessel over 10 feet and its now $19, up from $7 when the state first began requiring them, to fund who knows what, their retirement accounts I suppose.   It's not an easy task to carry and keep dry a little piece of paper aboard a sit on top wet all the time kayak.   I need to get it laminated. 

I knew the paddle back up to Lewis Creek and across the lake would be a trial, going into the wind and it was.   I couldn't stop to rest at all or I would be blown back and lose a lot of ground.  So I wore myself out getting back.

It was nice surprise when at the boat ramp about to pull my kayak up the ramp and out of the way, while I went and got my car from the far distant spot where it was parked when a young man associated with a motor boat offered to pull it up the ramp for me.  I appreciate help like that greatly.  I've popped my knee twice trying to pull it up the ramp.

Yesterday I was very worn out over the day before and mostly rested.  Why not, it was very hot outside anyway.    Today I'm rested and will be in my pool much of the day.  The water is a great temp in it now, since its been covered and I even had that silver reflective stuff over it.  I'd gotten it to insulate cat houses and also to block sun from the car but now its reflecting sun off the kiddie pool.

One brother's adult daughter now has covid, maybe over it by now.  They were visiting her right before she got it but haven't gotten it themselves.  The other brother's wife has covid again, second time for her and they hope he doesn't get it too.  She has mild symptoms and they hope to travel mid week to visit a daughter. She'll likely be over it if she isn't already.   It seems to be really going around, and hitting people whether vaccinated or not.