Last Trip to Lake?

 I went to the lake yesterday.  It was supposed to get up to near 80 by late afternoon.  I checked the reservoir level first, to make sure I could launch.  

It never got to near 80, probably barely made 70 in fact while I was there.

Skies were clouded over and at first the wind was significant.

A pair of women with kayaks were hemming and hawing about even blowing up their boats and going in.   They claimed I inspired them and they would launch, but I never saw them.  If they went in, they probably went up the S. Santiam.

I crossed over the arm from the boat ramp and checked to see if there were any late ripening blackberries along the bank.   Then I went around the point and crossed the main body of the lake, which was very rough.  I like it rough, enjoy the wave action, love it in fact.  

On the far side, I encountered first flocks of Canada Geese, then Coots, then...mallards, who had taken over the swim area at the county park.  The beach and park were deserted except for a man with a golden lab messing around a solar panel for something, I don't know what, figured he must work for the county and be fixing something.

Lewis Creek county park swim area

Get all your ducks in a row Coots!

I badly wanted to go swimming and I could have, but by the time I got to where I usually swim my feet and legs were cold.  I should have gone swimming first. 

You get wet on a sit on top kayak no matter the weather.   After I got back I looked up what people wear in the winter kayaking and its expensive stuff--dry suit, expensive under layers.  The site said to dress for immersion temperatures not air temp.   Ok.  Out of my financial league.

Even my old life jacket is not suitable for kayaking and chafes me badly.  I got it originally at a thrift store or garage sale.  I think it was at a thrift store and it was my kayak paddle I got at a garage sale, thinking then it might work with my raft but it didn't.  So it was in my garage rafters until I actually got a kayak, years later.

So I can't really believe that people who go ocean kayaking or kayak in winter around here have the money for dry suits.  Just like with some who never wear life jackets.   But really, even with a dry suit, how long would you last if you overturned a kayak in the Pacific even with a dry suit?  Not long I bet.

When I was making trips up to Tombstone Pass, in search of that cat lost in a car wreck, I stopped on the way back and watched whitewater kayakers plunging down rapids on the south Santiam in the middle of winter.   They did have on dry suits.   These are adrenalin lovers sports and I don't need adrenalin rushes, just the peace and sounds of water.

I like the sounds on the second video.  The clinking of the floats of the swim area in the waves is really pleasant.  

Here's another, of the mallard takeover of the swim area beach.  I think its funny the ducks and geese take over the lake once September rolls around and yesterday were enjoying a day at the beach.

I got home about 5:30.  I'd already done the cat chores for the day but there are always more chores needing done.  I fell asleep in my chair however---not unusual and woke with a start near 8:00 p.m. when Fantasia jumped atop me.  Slinko was already sleeping on my lap and the disruption with Fantasia disturbing him woke me up.

Today we are supposed to have some light rain into the evening hours.  I don't know about tomorrow.

It was so nice to get out on the lake again.  Might be the last chance I'll get.