Catchup

Last Thursday, I intended to go paddling with Sol Brich around La Framboise Island. I didn't get back to Pierre until about 6 PM when he planned to depart though. He was taking a coworker out onto the water, so he went ahead and began his float. I was on the water by 6:30 PM. I had a goal in mind... to catch up with them. As I approached the causeway to finish up my cruise, I saw Sol's pickup leaving the causeway. I made it around the island in just a hair over an hour! Some pictures from Thursday (notice how high the water is):
On Sunday, after returning from stripping cylinders in Chamberlain, I decided to embark on a journey up the Bad River. As I said above, the water is very high and I made it further upstream than I have ever before. I made it a full 4 miles upstream from the Bad River boat ramp... a full 0.5 mile farther than my previous record.Totaling 8 miles for the day.

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.

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.

Sea Gull Island

Sorry that I haven't posted much lately, Since my trip to Ireland I have not paddled much and when I have it has been the same old routine, La Framboise, and Farm Island. Today I went up to Lake Oahe. I managed to forget my GPS and camera when I left, so I estimated my distance with Google Maps and used my phone for a few pictures.
I drove up to Okobojo Point and launched from camp site #1. I paddled up the bay towards what becomes Okobojo Creek. I started a little late in the day and did not make it to where it begins to look like a creek. I did find a nice, little island. As I approached it, I noticed it was full of seagulls. They scattered as I got closer. It was a neat, little hideaway and I would like camp on it some time. It was about 2.5 miles to the backside of the island, about 5 miles round trip.


View Sea Gull Island in a larger map

Launching from campsite #1. From 2010-08-01

This looked like a nice place to take a nap... From 2010-08-01

Reminiscent of The Birds... Thank You, Alfred Hitchcock. From 2010-08-01

OT - My trip to Ireland.

4th of July Weekend

I did a fair amount of paddling over the holiday weekend. The weekend started out on dry land though with my 10 year high school reunion on Friday evening (man, I am starting to feel old). On Saturday, I paddled upstream from the causeway to diver's point, about 4.5 miles up. The dam was releasing, so my trip back down went quickly. I paddled around La Framboise on Saturday evening and again Monday afternoon. I also took Indy out in the tandem on Monday. A few pics...

From 2010-07-04

From 2010-07-04

From 2010-07-05

From 2010-07-05

Storm's Crossing

Yesterday was beautiful, little wind and temperature in the 80s or low 90s. I decided to go for a short paddle. I put in at the Farm Island boat ramp near the polo field. This is a seldom used boat ramp, because there is no dock and the water is fairly shallow near it. Typically, I only see people shore fishing from it and on occasion I will see a john boat launching from it. I understand that catfish are common in the vicinity.
I decided to paddle upstream to a little creek that is always difficult to find when heading upstream. It is hidden by the vegetation at the mouth, but can be easily spotted when heading downstream. The Lewis and Clark trail in Pierre crosses it and there is a sign at the crossing/bridge labeling it as Storm's Crossing. I recall that it is named for a fallen SD soldier; I can't remember any specifics.
I did manage to miss the creek on my way upstream, but I found it after I gave up and started back downstream. I proceeded up the creek the short distance to the bridge. I had to push a few logs out of the way with the bow of my kayak to reach the bridge. It is not possible to get beyond the bridge. I then headed back to the Farm Island boat ramp (polo fields). After loading my gear/boat, I stopped at the polo fields to give Chuck heck about choosing to fly his RC planes over kayaking.