“Spend as much time as possible on mountains, in small boats, or otherwise out in the weather; if you never get wet, cold, exhausted or scared, you won’t properly appreciate being dry, warm, rested and safe.” ~ Peter Jay

"I’m an adventuring river rat at heart. Put me on a floating piece of driftwood and I’m happy." ~ Christina Glauner

"There’s folly and foolhardiness on one side and daring and calculation on the other." ~ C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower novels

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Lake Vermillion, La Framboise Island, and Hobie mirage drives...

Last Friday, I was in Sioux Falls to catch the Wild Colonial Bhoys play at McNally's Irish Pub. Ryan Snuggerud met me there and we talked a bit and ended up doing a little game planning for the 2011 SDKC. Before heading back to Pierre on Saturday, I stopped at the Lake Vermillion State Recreation Area for a little paddling. Besides one fisherman, I had the lake to myself. First, I paddled from the boat ramp over to the bridge and into the small arm of the lake beyond. I then paddled up towards the dam (see picture below). I started to paddle up the north-south part of the lake, but the wind was blowing pretty good coming down the lake. After attacking the wind for a bit, I decided to head back. I would have liked to have made it up into the Vermillion River but I didn't want to wear myself out before the drive home. I think I spent about an hour on the water.
From 2010-09-18
Yesterday, I went for a paddle around La Framboise Island. When I got to the boat ramp on the causeway, I discovered that the steel ramp onto the dock was underwater!
From 2010-09-25
From 2010-09-25
From 2010-09-25
From 2010-09-25
A couple of pictures showing the dike structure at the end of the channel alongside the island:
From 2010-09-25
From 2010-09-25
It was a great day for a paddle. Not too much to report. Saw numerous ducks and startled one deer, a doe. After turning the corner around the island and heading back towards the causeway, I came across another kayaker. He was pedaling one of the Hobie mirage drive boats, probably something like an 8 foot model.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Converting a canoeist... and eagles.

Sorry that I haven't posted much lately. Beginning in August, I have been doing my field training for work and have been putting in 50-60 hours a week. The OT is nice, but my kayaking time is severely hampered. On Saturday, Chuck and took out a coworker of his that also happens to play ultimate frisbee with me on Wednesdays, Andy. Andy is an experienced canoeist and has done the Boundary Waters with his dad.
Nothing too fancy, we did our bread and butter route around La Framboise Island. We did see quite a few immature bald eagles along the channel/chute alongside the island.