tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51487630097115280172024-03-05T20:34:41.157-08:00Outside Adventure to the MaxSome journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny. Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-26882933850598925172022-12-31T09:45:00.003-08:002022-12-31T09:47:32.284-08:00PARADE OF PADDLING<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMXmkRxTSsRe5qKi-2QXZeK5psopNDJjgMhuZcdb1nD9ZMAjVx8BjDaqWCjVhzG_59Wu56hT1LLLxNU-BGdbmT1JtES7SCqSCL8obIQqFJ4Ml5bjUgOdzlitgg9JMsmJA7yOhS5Py6Z19QmV1aX5eAqqliWaxo8y42JmYNjDomlL0hCgL_y657eYJMg/s1440/IMG_20221104_202912_231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1440" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMXmkRxTSsRe5qKi-2QXZeK5psopNDJjgMhuZcdb1nD9ZMAjVx8BjDaqWCjVhzG_59Wu56hT1LLLxNU-BGdbmT1JtES7SCqSCL8obIQqFJ4Ml5bjUgOdzlitgg9JMsmJA7yOhS5Py6Z19QmV1aX5eAqqliWaxo8y42JmYNjDomlL0hCgL_y657eYJMg/w640-h522/IMG_20221104_202912_231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Has I'm writing this on New Year's Eve, rain is beating down on my rooftop, pelting the window and creating hundreds of small rivers along the hillside of my home. Weather forecasters say that a significant storm system will plow into the West Coast, bringing heavy rain, mountain snow, and strong winds fueled by an atmospheric river of Pacific moisture. An atmospheric river is a long narrow region in the atmosphere that can transport moisture thousands of miles, like a fire hose in the sky. Forecasters say this active jet stream pattern will continue to bring a parade of storms across much of Northern and Central California this weekend.<br />As 2022 comes to an end. It's time to look back on a parade of paddling memories and leap forward in planning new adventures. And as the rain hits the windowpane, I'll take that as a good sign we might have more water this year than last. At least, that is my hope.<br /><br />I send a big thanks out to my paddling family for helping me paddle through another year. Thanks to Dan Crandall and the other superstars on Current Adventures Kayaking School and Trips, who have been there for guidance and encouragement. We have some big plans for 2023. I'm looking forward to a full schedule of classes, tours, and moonlit paddles. <br />To the rangers and staff of Sly Park Recreation Area, thank you. I hope for another successful season on shimmering Lake Jenkinson this year, with more water.<br /><br />I lost count of my paddling events with Bayside Adventure Sports this past year. The highlights of our year included our annual Lower American River run, our camping kayaking trip to Loon Lake, and our popular sunset and moonlit paddles on our area's lakes. Of course, none of it would have been possible without our leader, John Taylor Sure, I had some great ideas, but John made it happen. <br />We are losing our spiritual leader Greg Weisman the longtime founder of Bayside Adventure Sports. He will be retiring in 2023.<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p>My wife, Debbie, is and will always be my guiding light and inspiration. She has a deep devotion to God and a love for everything, living both great and small, like the starving kitten that found its way to our doorstep and our neighborhood deer herd. I continue to strive to be like her in mind and spirit. We are both excited about landscaping our new home. <br /><br />Happy New Year everyone.<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle Day #148</span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBC8NUSvpxywDXwcdIrQy_jetzC7Da8JbmnhD0leybj8KFz9b57wE7riVK1kNnXMnMTSdVbQcJdiKgW_9vRaDwyQQ_b4Sngxtz2Er7wmimLMkGDIAkhDQfnFke7q8GGDixN2gAl5hB8Nd-MGWGZQMShFFvkiDF0Y7P0sL6sUDQOe6d2CTcu01kaiMwA/s1103/148.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1103" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBC8NUSvpxywDXwcdIrQy_jetzC7Da8JbmnhD0leybj8KFz9b57wE7riVK1kNnXMnMTSdVbQcJdiKgW_9vRaDwyQQ_b4Sngxtz2Er7wmimLMkGDIAkhDQfnFke7q8GGDixN2gAl5hB8Nd-MGWGZQMShFFvkiDF0Y7P0sL6sUDQOe6d2CTcu01kaiMwA/s320/148.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></strong></div><p></p>I paddled close to my record of 152 paddling days in the calendar year. I did get to some new places and enjoyed some of the old ones. I'm eagerly anticipating an exciting new year in 2023.<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></span></p><h2 style="background-color: #1c1c1c; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.5em 0px; position: relative;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#" style="color: #ff9900; text-decoration-line: none;">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h2>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-71861335508996351602022-12-24T08:12:00.004-08:002022-12-24T12:24:28.476-08:00A PADDLE WITH ST. NICHOLAS<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik76aAI78qMJ0MHceO1DhCZ4jBfPJOJD6ICOHwgRC0CroXpd8LXtqpXBVVnMray4l1_m2nAHhc2u2dFadfFnlfGf6Igv3lZlg5gc-kyCYm7LJ0_gSA3Msx7zcG86mvg9ztHXszK1M32gS-9dT0RGQ-2xbrdRsnBnxKhup1CbA7N1y4Ue7dT5bnRogbkw/s1080/Santa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1080" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik76aAI78qMJ0MHceO1DhCZ4jBfPJOJD6ICOHwgRC0CroXpd8LXtqpXBVVnMray4l1_m2nAHhc2u2dFadfFnlfGf6Igv3lZlg5gc-kyCYm7LJ0_gSA3Msx7zcG86mvg9ztHXszK1M32gS-9dT0RGQ-2xbrdRsnBnxKhup1CbA7N1y4Ue7dT5bnRogbkw/w640-h470/Santa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span>We have all heard The Night Before Christmas about Santa and his sleigh. </span> But did you know there's other about him the paddling river on Christmas Eve day? Today I will tell the tale that's way past its due. It's about the time I met Santa in a canoe. </span></h3><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>'Twas the day before Christmas and all across the waterway,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>The water looked splendid I'd just have to say<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Not a breath of wind even stirred the air,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>And how the stream glistened so bright and so fair</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>The ducks and geese floated about without a care,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>While the otters and beavers swam both here and there<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>The deer all were nestled deep among the tall trees,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>While I waded my boat out, just below my knees.</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I slid into my kayak and snapped on my spray skirt,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Picked up my paddle and pushed away from the dirt<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Just downstream, I could hear the rapid's rumble and chatter,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>During the summer, it's always a fun place to gather</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I paddled down to the top of the flume,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Catching the eddy above with plenty of room<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>The bubbling whitewater poured over the stone,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Swirling and churning in frenetic foam.</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>When looking upriver should what did I see?<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>But another boater who was following me<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He had a great stroke it was lively and so quick,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I couldn't believe it, I was paddling with St. Nick</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Now he wasn't in a playboat, you see, he needed lots of room,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Not a sea kayak either, too small for him I can only assume<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He paddled a big boat as comfortable as an old shoe,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Yes, yes, Santa was in a canoe</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>It was bright red as the color of his sleigh,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Dancing over the ripples without delay<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>With a wreath at the bow and streaming with tinsel,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>It was quick, I will tell you, like the down of a thistle</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>In the fast current, he lined up his route,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Past the rocks, he angled toward the chute<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He moved his craft forward with a powerful sweep,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Over the first wave, that looked pretty steep</i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>The bow of his canoe arose in mid-air,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>As the spray and the splashes flew everywhere</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He was heading toward the ledge, it would be a big drop,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Downstream with the current, he went over the top</i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I was out my boat on the shore at this time you see,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Trying to get a selfie of Santa and me<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I raised up my camera, you see I needed some proof,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>As Santa and canoe came down with a boof</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>As I looked over the water it seemed like a dream,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Santa had turned and was now surfing upstream<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Dressed in a PFD and bright red dry suit from head to toe,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>As he bounced up and down in the waves, both to and fro</i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>His cheeks were rosy, his beard as white as sea foam,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Donning a red cap and sunglasses, he was one cool gnome<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>His laugh shook the canyon and it echoed below,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Yes, you all know it, it was ho ho ho!</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He ferried his canoe out of the current and into the eddy,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Then waved to me to follow as soon as I was ready<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I jumped back in my boat to join the fun<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I couldn't believe it; I was joining Santa on a river run</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He peeled out quickly heading downriver,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He was in a hurry you see; he had toys to deliver<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>His mechanics were precise, his stroke was the truest,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I've seen lots of paddlers, but there was no better canoeist</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>I stay up close, for a while side by side,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>But he quickly outran me, I have to confide<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>He needed to get back to the North Pole and the reindeer<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>The elves had loaded up his sleigh to spread Christmas cheer</i></span></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>But he waved his paddle, to me as a sign,<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Before he would disappear below the horizon line.<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>And I heard him say as he canoed away<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>"Merry Christmas to all, and to all, have a great paddling day!"</i></span></b></h4><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Merry Christmas from Outside Adventure to the Max</span></b></span></h3></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-43038777337010729752022-12-18T19:07:00.003-08:002022-12-18T19:08:47.370-08:002022 IN REVIEW: PICTURES OF THE YEAR<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe5m1hQgdejKVQB0Vv8QEX0S24rt7lj1hdUU_Nb5hzb1wFZNrPVlggKG80mH0CkV7SFsLtc_PxDKfP01E-WjsRHOEMah1_oxADhxOO4I_xp1ZVwt0Yy8SQ9yPXg6VgM9J3atvMU1XybHEEV6jkMYtSTIAsdqGtnY8Z5CKPP4h6lQlWvyMK3tCJpFyHQ/s1532/Lead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1532" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe5m1hQgdejKVQB0Vv8QEX0S24rt7lj1hdUU_Nb5hzb1wFZNrPVlggKG80mH0CkV7SFsLtc_PxDKfP01E-WjsRHOEMah1_oxADhxOO4I_xp1ZVwt0Yy8SQ9yPXg6VgM9J3atvMU1XybHEEV6jkMYtSTIAsdqGtnY8Z5CKPP4h6lQlWvyMK3tCJpFyHQ/w640-h452/Lead.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Gaily bedlight, A gallant knight, in sunshine and in shadows had journeyed long, singing a </span></b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span style="font-size: 18.72px;">song, in</span> search of Eldorado --- Edgar Allan Poe</span></h3><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></div><div>The picturesque Coloma river valley is stunning with beauty and steep in history. It was there, not far from where I slid my kayak in the churning flow of the South Fork of the American River, it all happened.</div>The quirky and rather odd John Marshall had a scheme about getting a sawmill going on the banks of the river for the much-needed lumber for the influx of new settlers coming to California. Financially funded by John Sutter, Marshall was constructing the mill in the Coloma Valley. By January 1848, workers had erected a building, installed the machinery and a water wheel, and dug a ditch to divert water from the river. Inspecting the work, Marshall peered down into the trail trace through a foot of water. If there would have been a camera there to record it, this is what we would have done seen.<br /><br />"My eye caught a glimpse of something shining in the bottom of the ditch," Marshall gave a historical account, "I reached my hand down and picked it up; it made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold."<div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa4an2Yfmp0yyyPyINptLxvG4hkRmOghHgOMfvdG3Wlc1YKMdYdRfv2IuOOKgx7_aZPYYvARv7kb9Gwlpjb3OjEbHGBZEAAqvAJ1bYetBlmgClUX158OBLT8q09dxmPx-SU_4JKHdApij_pzSeZ2DYqnOLYGZWS9jsRy42uFIO1K_vUcBgtyfKxh5PQ/s3646/SHADOW.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="3646" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa4an2Yfmp0yyyPyINptLxvG4hkRmOghHgOMfvdG3Wlc1YKMdYdRfv2IuOOKgx7_aZPYYvARv7kb9Gwlpjb3OjEbHGBZEAAqvAJ1bYetBlmgClUX158OBLT8q09dxmPx-SU_4JKHdApij_pzSeZ2DYqnOLYGZWS9jsRy42uFIO1K_vUcBgtyfKxh5PQ/w400-h201/SHADOW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Jenkinson</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>And as the story goes, after he found those flakes precious metal of metal, it ushered in a wave of steely-eyed prospectors. Along with them came adventurous storytelling photographers ready to capture the historic frenzy around them. The Gold Rush was the first event in the country to be documented extensively through the then-new medium of photography.<br /><br />Using daguerreotypes, an early photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor. Photographers would polish a sheet of silver-plated copper to a mirror finish, treat it with fumes that made its surface light-sensitive, and expose it in a camera for as long as it was judged to be necessary. It could be as little as a few seconds for brightly sunlit subjects or much longer for regarding the light; removed its sensitivity to light by liquid chemical treatment; rinsed and dried, and then sealed the easily marred result behind glass in a protective enclosure.<br /><br />The photographers would travel about in wagons/studios, taking portraits of the miners young and old, holding the tools of their trade, a shovel, a pick, a pan. Some would even show off their precious nuggets or flakes of gold. They would show the men working as they dug away at the earth, searching for Mother Lode.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholfp4UuhKGko1AMr3yqUYRCpUml1pwhbKLf_0_04coqMJa-re3ZZkgE5s_yBgxLMGluouJX1biYs97aX81mIdY31PguuJrE8p0cmIRLyctY2knqpJFfpaHGXcFkoHa-zSIT1811GR7_1amSQGcBVATnpQdCNOrimM2GAXE1rvOaOK2ESpvUi-ClHWfw/s4032/SLY%20BW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholfp4UuhKGko1AMr3yqUYRCpUml1pwhbKLf_0_04coqMJa-re3ZZkgE5s_yBgxLMGluouJX1biYs97aX81mIdY31PguuJrE8p0cmIRLyctY2knqpJFfpaHGXcFkoHa-zSIT1811GR7_1amSQGcBVATnpQdCNOrimM2GAXE1rvOaOK2ESpvUi-ClHWfw/w640-h360/SLY%20BW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Lake Jenkinson & Sly Park Paddle Rentals</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Their images were also the first to detail the environmental damage inflicted on the landscape. <br />Pictures show men digging away with shovels and building scaffolds in large mining operations that upheave the earth and ripped away hillsides. <br />The first prospectors worked their claims manually with pans and picks. But, as more arrived, the miners took to diverting entire rivers and using high-pressure jets of water to dislodge rock material or move sediment to speed up their excavations. This caused a devastating effect on the riparian natural countryside. Long after the hype for gold subsided, much of the environmental damage of this form of mining still lasts to this day. </div><div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lt3GMSmKkbbtq4-GrMkfCMcYFFDDqC6O3F1XwvmcdQrUhyIPuc6J3eTZtkYPzyvuU_EOFPNPOn3ZzLNbM45mnlJfSUpH9eTOLYLTIhArVlbjiaxjjpxRdNVwk32rn_lUpe2tWFQrWapln9-R76IJuZr6tJBWQOfgxbeqmRjRQOScBQNwg7fCdX6Lg/s3968/02%2013xx.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lt3GMSmKkbbtq4-GrMkfCMcYFFDDqC6O3F1XwvmcdQrUhyIPuc6J3eTZtkYPzyvuU_EOFPNPOn3ZzLNbM45mnlJfSUpH9eTOLYLTIhArVlbjiaxjjpxRdNVwk32rn_lUpe2tWFQrWapln9-R76IJuZr6tJBWQOfgxbeqmRjRQOScBQNwg7fCdX6Lg/s320/02%2013xx.jpg" width="320" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Clementine & Robber's Roost</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Their haunting images captured historic people and places I now call home. As I document my paddling adventures, it's a bit easier with our cell phone technology. I only hope that can create the same excitement of the Gold Rush. So as 2022 draws to a close, let's look back at some of my favorite images from this past year. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdOOeBy2jQS20yULlvf_NQCNQdGx3tWE-5DVypPMvfk9SBJx58rMGmNwLEiSId9IuN8YIJ5Rk5lDDNJCifmX_t05Uc56xyEjH2tJwkVvaidMfo1R-1QUyMJByLFjpF43xJJ9VzHhYkin0U7NYXRcoF-g3HWV6m-ztdRPjAVnJsUjDzOTKgNh3-KTChQ/s3979/GAT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="3979" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdOOeBy2jQS20yULlvf_NQCNQdGx3tWE-5DVypPMvfk9SBJx58rMGmNwLEiSId9IuN8YIJ5Rk5lDDNJCifmX_t05Uc56xyEjH2tJwkVvaidMfo1R-1QUyMJByLFjpF43xJJ9VzHhYkin0U7NYXRcoF-g3HWV6m-ztdRPjAVnJsUjDzOTKgNh3-KTChQ/w640-h312/GAT.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Great American Triathlon training with Current Adventures </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoPGn4XmfzxrGDaTYWUyG5Ctm-x55o4i5V0RnpOz8k2s8Z0O07SrYyh2ENMj6h-nb8Ac-yyOIR18xlJ08GhCZICF0PZJvu1w6oNKnowxd3XBltOJ4Ctro6EoI-VU0y4cy1YsFPT3MRIOBlbk36KN8Z61TJyx0ADLT0Bh0PWSfVtC-7aTdbXGlzZUUvw/s1440/loon%20loon%20lonn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1440" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoPGn4XmfzxrGDaTYWUyG5Ctm-x55o4i5V0RnpOz8k2s8Z0O07SrYyh2ENMj6h-nb8Ac-yyOIR18xlJ08GhCZICF0PZJvu1w6oNKnowxd3XBltOJ4Ctro6EoI-VU0y4cy1YsFPT3MRIOBlbk36KN8Z61TJyx0ADLT0Bh0PWSfVtC-7aTdbXGlzZUUvw/w400-h361/loon%20loon%20lonn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Bayside Adventure Sports at Loon Lake</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4afOmAgT8a7uVvPG9z_nz9rd0oO5VYmuv4U373mvQHrsqRftLDcZC67lryuezePKfvc6FllFAY8_hTZVxPtW3wycxSlEduj3-Jq7_W2VSfIabu1uOmv3__PBeSCbzZg22sBThsU5kx8JKnCgEg4eoA8QZ4SHdUdFqC7y3DAoauZy8n3a-gxYw5kUYtA/s3599/SLYn%20CAMP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2205" data-original-width="3599" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4afOmAgT8a7uVvPG9z_nz9rd0oO5VYmuv4U373mvQHrsqRftLDcZC67lryuezePKfvc6FllFAY8_hTZVxPtW3wycxSlEduj3-Jq7_W2VSfIabu1uOmv3__PBeSCbzZg22sBThsU5kx8JKnCgEg4eoA8QZ4SHdUdFqC7y3DAoauZy8n3a-gxYw5kUYtA/w400-h245/SLYn%20CAMP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>John Taylor at Sly Park </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_RaRUKi04amgO29DHGr0vW0m-XKbtaDkBnLedHT2NRc8j7yNdLrE4mkv84RglkRqHRhsdDfRO5KMNqTzfZiz0pbaVvNyPY70ZDb2msR5nCUPcn5I4SEs3J8xzKeHwCMSNmO6Q50XyF8_4szi6f_1icR31X1K1MX3-easEXWcLuvBiN_b_CJ61yjftA/s3473/GLOWING.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="3473" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_RaRUKi04amgO29DHGr0vW0m-XKbtaDkBnLedHT2NRc8j7yNdLrE4mkv84RglkRqHRhsdDfRO5KMNqTzfZiz0pbaVvNyPY70ZDb2msR5nCUPcn5I4SEs3J8xzKeHwCMSNmO6Q50XyF8_4szi6f_1icR31X1K1MX3-easEXWcLuvBiN_b_CJ61yjftA/w640-h450/GLOWING.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>The annual Glow Paddle on Lake Natoma</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SoAyeKSQR6pRvaXiEdmoYFNB65yB54u7ReQgeeMSHLFl51H2MDc5J9Iaw6PGn19ZkqAqKGuv-H5aof6Rt4gfz2SZ8OnuI-Qmd3aFNUmVogqzQiJfHLTN3sbXAr2ILaMX0c9UN989HEMtyo36XzhjLixj4Dx4TtveimAQWO2j988k3w2i2--D8RJB6w/s4032/salmon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SoAyeKSQR6pRvaXiEdmoYFNB65yB54u7ReQgeeMSHLFl51H2MDc5J9Iaw6PGn19ZkqAqKGuv-H5aof6Rt4gfz2SZ8OnuI-Qmd3aFNUmVogqzQiJfHLTN3sbXAr2ILaMX0c9UN989HEMtyo36XzhjLixj4Dx4TtveimAQWO2j988k3w2i2--D8RJB6w/w400-h300/salmon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Salmon on the Lower American River</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx9RzWwZXxUfVg-sHjr6OlQ_RbR7Tw4gT1PZQHp5rvxUkWcKH_7G0eQhbDcZvgbhTbcykblHj9tzlJb2fHfeL5FiQH6cE-3GpL3bHeswp0RKze0bic0TWFD-awYnukewxheikXGniCWgRJBHiyL1qlTVW2bLaympiStbdbs0ZD-NiHBf_-BLCpD3vDA/s3084/CA%20CLASS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="3084" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx9RzWwZXxUfVg-sHjr6OlQ_RbR7Tw4gT1PZQHp5rvxUkWcKH_7G0eQhbDcZvgbhTbcykblHj9tzlJb2fHfeL5FiQH6cE-3GpL3bHeswp0RKze0bic0TWFD-awYnukewxheikXGniCWgRJBHiyL1qlTVW2bLaympiStbdbs0ZD-NiHBf_-BLCpD3vDA/w400-h226/CA%20CLASS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Kayaking with Current Adventures on Lake Natoma</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx9RzWwZXxUfVg-sHjr6OlQ_RbR7Tw4gT1PZQHp5rvxUkWcKH_7G0eQhbDcZvgbhTbcykblHj9tzlJb2fHfeL5FiQH6cE-3GpL3bHeswp0RKze0bic0TWFD-awYnukewxheikXGniCWgRJBHiyL1qlTVW2bLaympiStbdbs0ZD-NiHBf_-BLCpD3vDA/s3084/CA%20CLASS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b></b></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5R2mz4s8LDrl8L7YlrwI_idW_RCVPpPsv0s6iMOo2FQZXbJpifq38vwB_ZQ9ul9xQI86rC9DP2LUbBzd4jSZNkrjOZT1zowHAZ0Bi1yDN2qLytLsl8HaXR3TnDSgQmH8Ou0cyivPZRgpeZaAi3Z8LqN7K4de_JiWM4I1QyE-5buGr6YaL5NJP2QRgw/s1798/SAc%20River.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="1798" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5R2mz4s8LDrl8L7YlrwI_idW_RCVPpPsv0s6iMOo2FQZXbJpifq38vwB_ZQ9ul9xQI86rC9DP2LUbBzd4jSZNkrjOZT1zowHAZ0Bi1yDN2qLytLsl8HaXR3TnDSgQmH8Ou0cyivPZRgpeZaAi3Z8LqN7K4de_JiWM4I1QyE-5buGr6YaL5NJP2QRgw/w640-h520/SAc%20River.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>The Sacramento River with Bayside Adventure Sports</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfspdp9LW_biPfUZmS6V9w7kiaI3uKqxZpu9AJ97fqGZYl7c8LcYaYBPwdSYYi8sC9N1e8YYtvLfHTmpGzUoPVK81MMHi3zMFiXREblrItL82yPTq0-igczUE6H3zQXAJCoPc0kBdcCxGeBB3vFKV3DEY6Z1OqNdhowvxfkPIDV9hHCB_rugB5jZXnw/s1440/DEVB.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfspdp9LW_biPfUZmS6V9w7kiaI3uKqxZpu9AJ97fqGZYl7c8LcYaYBPwdSYYi8sC9N1e8YYtvLfHTmpGzUoPVK81MMHi3zMFiXREblrItL82yPTq0-igczUE6H3zQXAJCoPc0kBdcCxGeBB3vFKV3DEY6Z1OqNdhowvxfkPIDV9hHCB_rugB5jZXnw/w400-h300/DEVB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Debbie Carlson at Yosemite </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVzg2sM0g9HDxr4Ik3b8HdsS5atz_4sUSEh1EgruhckC_kwXIQPKQLHvrKxTL4rIhnztS5bd7PatoWXHl6I28TMyvM85ts-ruxET13inS2h6RHLDJNOgAvbadU5PXDS3Xld21zE3YJFU1dBaYGUjM6vtcK9rOOoqSipQY5DViGETdRQJieL9MtNweOw/s4032/SLY%20SLEEP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVzg2sM0g9HDxr4Ik3b8HdsS5atz_4sUSEh1EgruhckC_kwXIQPKQLHvrKxTL4rIhnztS5bd7PatoWXHl6I28TMyvM85ts-ruxET13inS2h6RHLDJNOgAvbadU5PXDS3Xld21zE3YJFU1dBaYGUjM6vtcK9rOOoqSipQY5DViGETdRQJieL9MtNweOw/s320/SLY%20SLEEP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Sly Park Paddle Rentals </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2496" data-original-width="4032" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHAgyY6uwFDiuIaTQ2U3szIQHUrx28HwN7EZRkVTswQnxtykRUC-knyiptH1tfmlt6nXD4e6QTUXKncJnC_7QliIBps4ypYrAo1yDzddtIus989W9iULuZP0FZVLvJlNEi9mzZnqNMbozqaoOV8ydFMkGsVDCuNkPCFlkUMrNYa6ef4u8UvvS_axZ8Q/w640-h396/HOME.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Our new home in Placerville, California</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHAgyY6uwFDiuIaTQ2U3szIQHUrx28HwN7EZRkVTswQnxtykRUC-knyiptH1tfmlt6nXD4e6QTUXKncJnC_7QliIBps4ypYrAo1yDzddtIus989W9iULuZP0FZVLvJlNEi9mzZnqNMbozqaoOV8ydFMkGsVDCuNkPCFlkUMrNYa6ef4u8UvvS_axZ8Q/s4032/HOME.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><b></b></a><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-53270367007091074012022-12-09T16:33:00.000-08:002022-12-09T16:33:42.326-08:00OVER THE BOW: THE RED RIVER<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19vh5rgGfcX5jLNrqtPcl9B9H8opgvEuRqSAuVEAU5I0VG23ZXWI2cNc7P67YwWPVKe0McHXMOS_tDmWaAdH9PdhIDtWw91WfNEINFqBUKTgVQyN0qcMwiHhPWVAGSOmNbKcYlC-_3B_T69mkZyQX97OwcPNm0sxpdkNi5VT95wlNmg1pJE2eP0fPfg/s2615/SAM_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2615" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19vh5rgGfcX5jLNrqtPcl9B9H8opgvEuRqSAuVEAU5I0VG23ZXWI2cNc7P67YwWPVKe0McHXMOS_tDmWaAdH9PdhIDtWw91WfNEINFqBUKTgVQyN0qcMwiHhPWVAGSOmNbKcYlC-_3B_T69mkZyQX97OwcPNm0sxpdkNi5VT95wlNmg1pJE2eP0fPfg/w640-h358/SAM_2018.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different. --- J.B. Priestley</span></b></h3><p></p><p>In the northernmost tier, most stow away their kayaks, hide their canoe behind the garage and stash their paddles and camping gear back in the corner where they put the cross-country skis and snowshoes the spring before old man winter arrives. It's inevitable. Those lakes and rivers will either be frozen over or soon to be.<br /><br />"There is one thing I should warn you about before you decide to get serious about canoeing," said Canadian canoeing naturalist, author, artist, and filmmaker Bill Mason, " You must consider the possibility of becoming totally and incurably hooked on it. You must also face the fact that every fall about freeze-up time, you go through a withdrawal period as you watch the lakes and rivers icing over one by one. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can help a little to ease the pain, but they won’t guarantee a complete cure.”</p><p>It was a magical experience for me, kayaking after the first snow in Fargo ten years ago. My skiing friends woke up excited about seeing a new blanket of snow, but for me, I still knew there were still a few more paddling days before the Red River iced up, and I would hide the kayaks away for the season. <br />The water was flat, the wind calm, and my hands were cold but warmed up nicely while on the river. The first snow was a sure sign the time was running out for paddling on the Red River. <br /></p><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Over the Bow is a feature from Outside Adventure to the Max, telling the story behind the image. If you have a great picture with a great story, submit it to us at nickayak@gmail.com<br />Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Instagram</a>, and now on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Youtube</a>.</span></span></h3><br /><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"></div></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-78268114012786028552022-11-18T19:56:00.002-08:002022-11-18T19:56:47.826-08:00WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAzDguMYrxSWXGDC5jVrc8yHykJ2Jzd7hpqTXnYs3DdRzqR8wi89OPwyVsyzffMq4YhAb-_2xHS4NLA3aGNe7G1h0wxc8uJzG2_DOuvkCrRNMrSDJ6fqbnzbC1V1M6Tlylj7jMGU5xl2Kc51c5hvoa3Mrs0ldJaBwicRuYL_hMt_xNiOUshi_6fAkyQ/s3985/WILD%20things.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2374" data-original-width="3985" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAzDguMYrxSWXGDC5jVrc8yHykJ2Jzd7hpqTXnYs3DdRzqR8wi89OPwyVsyzffMq4YhAb-_2xHS4NLA3aGNe7G1h0wxc8uJzG2_DOuvkCrRNMrSDJ6fqbnzbC1V1M6Tlylj7jMGU5xl2Kc51c5hvoa3Mrs0ldJaBwicRuYL_hMt_xNiOUshi_6fAkyQ/w640-h382/WILD%20things.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">“Let the wild rumpus start!” --- Maurice Sendak</span></b></h3></span></b></h3><div><br /></div>After living in mostly an urban setting for most of my life, my wife Debbie and I moved to a country setting on the outskirts of Placerville, California, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At the end of the lane, our new home sits on a ridge overlooking the valley below. Our view is amazing! Looking eastward, we enjoy the sunrise every day through our windows and can watch the full moon as it rises over the trees. <br />In our front yard, Debbie has spent the summer season cutting, clipping, and trimming back the overgrowth of bushes and trees. She constructed a cactus garden and is looking forward to planting a new garden next year.<br />Behind our home is a tree line filled with California buckeyes, an assortment of oaks, and pines. It is also where the wild things are. <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewJ6L5nOx8jl7Q2a3g9rmabokMKDS2863bVBz6cpLt0WvtWteESf8XS_Z2h5D6WF0pdzwvKW12cCW3MzeWXhnd5dPE5nJ2J694lVTt5bLuhf_zXdYUP0U06TFLZy2jEZawcEWPoQ6X2Y-URAA5fFZM2lI_pRsyu8s3ZdwjwMfDEk3yhVh841e5V6Qxg/s4032/wild%20things%20leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2598" data-original-width="4032" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewJ6L5nOx8jl7Q2a3g9rmabokMKDS2863bVBz6cpLt0WvtWteESf8XS_Z2h5D6WF0pdzwvKW12cCW3MzeWXhnd5dPE5nJ2J694lVTt5bLuhf_zXdYUP0U06TFLZy2jEZawcEWPoQ6X2Y-URAA5fFZM2lI_pRsyu8s3ZdwjwMfDEk3yhVh841e5V6Qxg/w400-h258/wild%20things%20leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The herd of black-tailed deer foraging along the hillside has been a common sight since moving here. Our local population, with their distinctive black tails, wanders about the property in the early mornings and evenings. Shy at first, they seemed to have gotten used to us.<br />In hopes of them not eating her plants, Debbie has planted deer-resistant plants and offers them squirrel food, of course, which makes the neighborhood grey squirrel population happy also.<br />The does and their fawns have been roaming through the yard on their spindly legs most of the summer. They have tried with limited success to eat from the bird feeder. <br />While as of late, even the bucks with their velvet-covered antlers have joined in. <br /><br />A bushy gray fox and a long black-tailed jackrabbit have routinely welcomed me home as I have driven up the lane. Debbie admired both the tail of the fox and the ears of the rabbit. Commenting that both seem much bigger than any other parts of their bodies. Shyer than the deer, they are gone in a flash.<div><br />The pleasant surprise is the covey of California quail that are seen around our home. <br />The stately male with his distinguishing head plume acts as the lookout while the hens and their tiny babies scurry about pecking the ground. <br />And there are a lot of them. A single quail’s nest sometimes has as many as 28 eggs meaning all the adult birds care for and protect all the chicks. <br />Even smaller are the hummingbirds buzzing about our front porch feeder. The little birds are definitely entertaining with their aerial acrobatics. <br /><br />The excitement came early in the summer when Debbie spotted a rather large black bear rattling through the trees and brush near the house. While it was concerning to have a 380 lbs. bear in the yard. It was humorous to hear my wife talk to it like it was the neighbor's lost pet. <br />"Go away minster bear," she said from the safety of the bedroom window, "There is nothing for you here. So, you better move along."<br />Which it did. But it still reminded us to secure our trash cans during the night. <br /><br />Naturalist John Muir wrote, “Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.”</div><div><br />As Thanksgiving approaches, I wanted to take a moment to ponder how thankful I am for the wildlife. It is hard to for me put into words how grateful I am for wildlife and wild places.<br />As a human being living in cohabitation with animals and plants, I realize how important it is for all of us to protect nature and show compassion towards all wild things. </div><div><br /></div><div><h3><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-36685643921467516862022-11-11T18:59:00.000-08:002022-11-11T18:59:13.879-08:00NOVEMBER PANORAMA<div><i><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a0TZGM-YIfT8AyULhH05GP63q8RwfdBS1z8Pv8jd_fk71rMrSlZxF32l0jQ-0j9fIQMqAcCFAqAaADWP3aSZt7JxPXH5RAlM2ToE95rCuhggq0_cX_Q34Tw3a1eQKhhw5cbJi5KjsdlVTKP5FOjs3WHFIov5b4JwkShq0qRH1AlXY3p3DxLlA_tuvw/s1357/11%2005%20b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1357" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a0TZGM-YIfT8AyULhH05GP63q8RwfdBS1z8Pv8jd_fk71rMrSlZxF32l0jQ-0j9fIQMqAcCFAqAaADWP3aSZt7JxPXH5RAlM2ToE95rCuhggq0_cX_Q34Tw3a1eQKhhw5cbJi5KjsdlVTKP5FOjs3WHFIov5b4JwkShq0qRH1AlXY3p3DxLlA_tuvw/w640-h390/11%2005%20b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></b></i></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">“The river this November afternoon</span></b></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Rests in an equipoise of sun and cloud:</span></b></i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">A glooming light, a gleaming darkness shroud</span></b></i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Its passage. All seems tranquil, all-in tune.” --- Cecil Day-Lewis</span></b></i></div></i></h3><p>Sitting back, enjoying a cup of hot coffee while watching the birds fly over my stack of kayaks to the bird feeder. The skies have cleared after much of a week of stormy weather. Rain fell throughout the early part of the week while the foothills got blanketed with snow at higher elevations, with the bulk hitting the Sierra Nevada mountains. </p><p>So far, so good. The recent storms certainly dampened the threat of wildfires, but for ending the long-enduring drought here in California. It's still much too early to tell. Weather forecasters say that these November storms are starting when we usually expect them, but it's still really early in the year to see what may happen.</p><p>I'm thinking I should be loading up one of those kayaks and taking it to a nearby lake. That is the best part about living here in California. Unlike when I was living in the mid-west, my kayaking season doesn't end when the rain strips the trees of their leaves and the snow falls. Sure, there are days when the weather is a bit uncomfortable, but there are still days ahead of paddling in just shirtsleeves that can't be squandered. However, losing an hour at the end of the day always surprises me when we flip back to an hour to standard time. Great if you are an earlier riser in this light switch from evening to morning. But I'm not ready for the darkness, as the sun seems to slam into the horizon before my eyes. Exploding into little bits before disappearing into the night.</p><p>Still paddling in November is an anomaly for many. The cool temperatures seem to outweigh the beautiful fall colors and golden light from the autumn sun. In my recent trips to Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake, they have been virtually abandoned by the summertime crowds, leaving an empty view of the glistening water. The refreshing clear and crisp autumnal air and uncrowded shores make me wonder why November paddling doesn't get its homage and due.</p><h3><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3><p><br /></p>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-1161636981142270372022-10-28T17:37:00.002-07:002022-10-28T17:38:20.796-07:00HAUNTED RIVERS <h3 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyxq5JAARyUFRjC4nSMC9KFa-TQuwySx8RKcX8hUwAEP5ehd8Z1HqLUtSmfV1TawXYQLPMvH55-i6yHwpcb2InS5u6NRiLJgvSHrCIluBV8dAPscGwxpV2_Ydge3_fyy5oBzirO91zp-jjm6ydjmzp8v1O2DcLGnzFYiXPB3bZ9133bOjxGEqO27GjA/s3880/20221015_174227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3880" data-original-width="2910" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyxq5JAARyUFRjC4nSMC9KFa-TQuwySx8RKcX8hUwAEP5ehd8Z1HqLUtSmfV1TawXYQLPMvH55-i6yHwpcb2InS5u6NRiLJgvSHrCIluBV8dAPscGwxpV2_Ydge3_fyy5oBzirO91zp-jjm6ydjmzp8v1O2DcLGnzFYiXPB3bZ9133bOjxGEqO27GjA/w480-h640/20221015_174227.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></h3></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>“The eeriness of this lonely island, set among a million willows, swept by a hurricane, and surrounded by hurrying deep waters, touched us both, I fancy. Untrodden by man, almost unknown to man, it lay there beneath the moon, remote from human influence, on the frontier of another world, an alien world, a world tenanted by willows only and the souls of willows. And we, in our rashness, had dared to invade it, even to make use of it!” --- Algernon Blackwood</i></span></h3><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>It's only in the daylight we see rivers with wonder and magic. Our favorites can often offer us serenity or endless thrills. Who of us doesn't look to see around each bend in a wild river, leading us to either the rumble of rapids or floating lazily in the sun.</div>We take ease near the stream in the light of day, where our imaginations and our innermost fears are not exploited by the sun.<br />Yet, it's in the night, when those comforting rivers can turn foreboding. With each whisper of sound or shadow in the moonlight, our perceptions of uncertainty, dread, and fear can bewitch us.<br />In Algernon Blackwood's The Willows, a novella about an adventurous canoe trip down the River Danube, it's only the night that the voyage turns frightful when mysterious forces emerge from within the forest creating spine-chilling sounds and bizarre shadows.<br />"I felt of dread was no ordinary ghostly fear," the narrator tells us, "It was infinitely greater, stranger, and seemed to arise from some dim ancestral sense of terror more profoundly disturbing than anything I had known or dreamed of. We had “strayed,” as the Swede put it, into some region or some set of conditions where the risks were great, yet unintelligible to us; where the frontiers of some unknown world lay close about us."<br />So. what's out there enshrouded in or along the watery brink? Is it a ghostly presence from the past? A spirit wandering lost, or a phantom bent on destruction.<br />Or is it just a concoction of some old scary tales meant to make us cringe and look over our shoulders in apprehension on a cool October night? What do you believe?<br />So, whether you're daring or doubtful here are a few of our nation's haunted rivers you might want to visit (if got the nerve), this Halloween or anytime, for your opportunity to see a ghost.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Pocantico River, New York</span></b><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegMAQIsUw5FZoMTJU1UGO0qBGu9fhXKD9dkxuzLty0dtvo8GyPrNKq4wKpChGrzPq8vY6777L32USzvfHEP8SJdGR4v6JV3M0DEHnEaDz2IsMRH0bwF5YQlZ9Iy4EAMVmVz3Tx3EgNPX1M2tBWW4TdgJ56j5u0w5HwPt4RWYho-IMrvjw2AmcZLCvOA/s2560/Pocantico_River_with_stone_bridge_in_Rockefeller_State_Park_Preserve_Sleepy_Hollow_NY-scaled.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegMAQIsUw5FZoMTJU1UGO0qBGu9fhXKD9dkxuzLty0dtvo8GyPrNKq4wKpChGrzPq8vY6777L32USzvfHEP8SJdGR4v6JV3M0DEHnEaDz2IsMRH0bwF5YQlZ9Iy4EAMVmVz3Tx3EgNPX1M2tBWW4TdgJ56j5u0w5HwPt4RWYho-IMrvjw2AmcZLCvOA/s320/Pocantico_River_with_stone_bridge_in_Rockefeller_State_Park_Preserve_Sleepy_Hollow_NY-scaled.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> <span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Pocantico River</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Pocantico River in western New York was made famous by Washington Irving's Halloween classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Ever since people have been keeping a keen out for the Headless Horseman. Who, as the story said, would ride alongside the river looking for hapless victims.<br />The Pocantico is a nine-mile-long tributary of the Hudson River following an urban setting, But even today, it has a dark and unnerving nature. "The Pocantico winds its wizard stream among the mazes of its old Indian haunts, sometimes running darkly in pieces of woodland," wrote Irving.<br />He had obviously heard the tales surrounding the Old Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and Spook Rock to inspire his story of the Headless Horseman. <br />Spook Rock sits on the eastern side of Rockefeller State Park, next to the Saw Mill River Parkway. Just its name conjures up ghosts. The history of Tarrytown tells the legend of the Lady in White who haunts the rock after dying in a snowstorm. It's said you can still hear her cries of the howling of the wind and see her gestures to warn of impending winter storms.<br />It also tells of the ghost of a colonial girl, who jumped to her death there to escape a Tory raider during the revolution. As well as the heartbreaking tale of Star Girl the spirit of an Indian girl who roams the area lamenting the death of her lover and son.<br />It is said that even today, on a quiet spring night, one can stand on the banks of the Pocantico River and still hear Star Girl crying out for her lover and child.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Blackwater River, Florida</span></b><br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqopX3nWK0L2n8gMRIoTs8b0Cdi2BBBVdyndPy85567A90xPv2g3DOkURWDV2G6lKCPtZvpRuSY712BG90WzYiwEBlMxml49nifNNmcdAUkKVqMuF8NVBR139_GtPE6cWdGDCqbuD2VXq1X1RdnlT17FIEP-DMaR0qv6hpgGuLyKgr7hz0kSTF0Vvsw/s800/Blackwater.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqopX3nWK0L2n8gMRIoTs8b0Cdi2BBBVdyndPy85567A90xPv2g3DOkURWDV2G6lKCPtZvpRuSY712BG90WzYiwEBlMxml49nifNNmcdAUkKVqMuF8NVBR139_GtPE6cWdGDCqbuD2VXq1X1RdnlT17FIEP-DMaR0qv6hpgGuLyKgr7hz0kSTF0Vvsw/s320/Blackwater.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Blackwater River </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>The <a href="https://www.paddleflorida.net/blackwater-river-paddle.htm">Blackwater River</a> is considered a favorite spot for canoeing, kayaking, and camping in Florida's panhandle. Streaming through undeveloped lands by paddling the river is, said to be like going through beautiful tropical rainforest. But beware, for the Blackwater has two mysterious and sinister residents in its mist.<br />Locals will warn you to be careful when taking a dip. They say that there's a deathly pale-looking woman with long jet-black hair smelling of rotting flesh who will drag you under the water, attempting to drown you in the river. So far, only a lucky few have escaped her vile clutches.<br />While in <a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blackwater-river-state-park">Blackwater River State Park</a>, a woman wearing a long white gown covered with blood is said to appear near the oldest white Atlantic cedar tree in the park. Legend says she was sacrificed there in a bloody ritual.<br />Rumors now say that people who visit the spot experience chills and have the feeling of being suffocated as a result of all the sacrificial rituals that took place there.<br />And one final warning. If you do see this ghostly woman is white, don't look in her eyes and runway. Otherwise, you could be next.<br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br />Tombigbee River, Alabama</span></b><br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm4DtTmhnB3_2OEOmP-e5qeS6wP2qXkkTO_xY2UmPYmmsgcAeBZq0gxGb4f3BXvwxMKsiwijlC0oXSsamLqjKCVMm8n-XDwKetcDaHA23nB7jgUNMIz-ew56eRz6OZpbD-6nBodlwwZ_o3WoxWSJcjAno-x2xdbVlYSt-Qg92vi_R7UVYMU2HzdqK8w/s590/Tombigbee_River_below_Moscow_Landing_in_1888.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="590" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm4DtTmhnB3_2OEOmP-e5qeS6wP2qXkkTO_xY2UmPYmmsgcAeBZq0gxGb4f3BXvwxMKsiwijlC0oXSsamLqjKCVMm8n-XDwKetcDaHA23nB7jgUNMIz-ew56eRz6OZpbD-6nBodlwwZ_o3WoxWSJcjAno-x2xdbVlYSt-Qg92vi_R7UVYMU2HzdqK8w/s320/Tombigbee_River_below_Moscow_Landing_in_1888.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Tombigbee River</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Tales of ghost ships and phantom vessels are common folklore along both coast and the Great Lakes. Fleeting images of ships disappearing into the fog have been reported by sailors and beachcombers alike.<br />Over the years, witnesses have reported seeing “The Phantom Steamboat of the Tombigbee” fully engulfed in flames along the shore of Alabama's <a href="https://www.outdooralabama.com/rivers-and-mobile-delta/tombigbee-river">Tombigbee River</a> near Pennington, Alabama.<br />Side-wheeled paddle steamer Eliza Battle was the most luxurious riverboat on the river until disaster claimed her on a cold winter night.<br />On March 1, 1858, she was fully loaded with more than 1,200 bales of cotton and carrying 101 passengers and crew when a fire broke out on the main deck. Panic ensued as the blaze spread over the boat. Passengers, mostly in their nightclothes, could only escape the flames by leaping into the icy river waters.<br />In the end, the ship sank, leaving somewhere between 26 to 33 people dead due to mostly exposure to the freezing water.<br />Soon after the disaster, ghost stories began to circulate. Witnesses claimed to see the ill-fated “Eliza Battle" ablaze again near where she sank, accompanied by screams of people begging to be rescued. The sightings of the burning steamers are to happen mostly on cold and windy nights. <br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Mississippi River, Missouri & Illinois</span></b><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXWJUabY6STFELPoR6PzCVIvpR8dtQV7JfofT9YgRxtilxuXPHFaWgwjjjQD5SkQXceKLjlkSj5h-X4EYnBBl9mm9d0BvcumS3I11CRm5wlm5JgErOwqDp2F0kiWf_5MH-zGxdMHQiS9IFf4vvGTETxlY8mUgqPcGRqpu1e06vmq6nihh4ONNcflO1A/s800/tower-rock-mississippi.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXWJUabY6STFELPoR6PzCVIvpR8dtQV7JfofT9YgRxtilxuXPHFaWgwjjjQD5SkQXceKLjlkSj5h-X4EYnBBl9mm9d0BvcumS3I11CRm5wlm5JgErOwqDp2F0kiWf_5MH-zGxdMHQiS9IFf4vvGTETxlY8mUgqPcGRqpu1e06vmq6nihh4ONNcflO1A/s320/tower-rock-mississippi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Tower Rock</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></b></span><div>From its source up in Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico, the <a href="https://mississippiriverwatertrail.org/">Mississippi River</a> is brimming with bigger-than-life stories and legends and of course, ghostly yarns.<br />And nowhere is the river more haunted than Grand Tower, Illinois, to Cape Girardeau, Missouri.<br />According to the local folklore, the paranormal activity likely stems from the two massive boat accidents and one spooky reunion at Tower Rock.<br />On an October night in 1869, the steamship Stonewall was traveling on the river when it caught fire in what would become one of the worst disasters on the river.<br />It's estimated that the death toll was somewhere between 200 to 300. But nobody knows for sure because the passenger list was burned up with the steamboat.<br />Witnesses reported watching The Stonewall burn for nearly two hours before sinking into the river on that eerily dark and quiet.<br />Seventeen years later on another October night, the steamboat Mascotte's boiler exploded, engulfing that ship in a fire. Eyewitnesses said as the fire raged, the ship's smokestack fell over the gangplank, trapping passengers attempting to escape. All in all, the river disaster claimed 35 lives.<br />Psychics say the spirits of the dead in these disasters remain to this day. They have told of seeing the ghosts of these tragic ship fires making lonely pilgrimages back to the water from the local cemetery and of seeing unearthly hands and fingers reaching out of the dark river water.<br />It's also not uncommon for barge captains and crews to observe unexplainable lights bouncing across the water and hear ghostly screams and cries for help while passing through the spooky stretch of river.<br />The nearby Tower Rock offers even more supernatural lore for the Big Muddy. The 60-foot rock formation has been a silent sentinel along the river throughout its history. Boatmen would celebrate passing by it with a drink of good cheer. River pirates used it as an ambush spot, and Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis & Clark would write about its peril: “strong currents thus meeting each other form an immense and dangerous whirlpool which no boat dare approach in that state of the water…”<br />But the spookiest story of the rock happened in 1839 when an entire wedding party's boat got caught in a giant whirlpool and sucked under the muddy waters. Only one slave survived.<br />On that very day, a baby niece to the groom was born and given the same name as the bride. And twenty years later, to celebrate her birthday, she holds a party upon Tower Rock.<br />And as the story goes, the gathering was suddenly astonished when members of the wedding party arose out of the Mississippi River and presented her with a mysterious parchment scroll forewarning her of the Civil War. After delivering the prophetic message, the entire ghostly group, once again disappeared into the murky waters of the river.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Missouri River, Nebraska</span></b><br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztQCQlhGMs9pqBbex5BvQrhQWFxx6XJdOK6tQBEV_t462Tr4-mX2r53F7Soakd5twOaaWUlPQhMiO5LKknwy0jErrpZk7W4e_dw6tIPnAhHitggykUDv6KFDC8Zxj8dv6msX5PO5rNx6da7TXe4IkhNujTpTV0TOaDcZoHosvF0lhrJHiIGm3WpISpg/s700/Blackbird_Hill_by_Karl_Bodmer_-_cropped.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="700" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztQCQlhGMs9pqBbex5BvQrhQWFxx6XJdOK6tQBEV_t462Tr4-mX2r53F7Soakd5twOaaWUlPQhMiO5LKknwy0jErrpZk7W4e_dw6tIPnAhHitggykUDv6KFDC8Zxj8dv6msX5PO5rNx6da7TXe4IkhNujTpTV0TOaDcZoHosvF0lhrJHiIGm3WpISpg/s320/Blackbird_Hill_by_Karl_Bodmer_-_cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"> <b> <span style="color: #ffa400;">Blackbird Hill by Karl Bodmer</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Blackbird Hill is a distinctive 300-foot-high landmark on the west side of the Missouri River in northeastern Nebraska. It was well-known to river travelers throughout the 19th century. In 1804, Lewis and Clark climbed the rise to visit the grave of an Omaha chief, while famed frontier artists George Catlin and Karl Bodmer painted it in the 1830s. Traditional Native American accounts say that Chief Big Elk is buried at the site. It is also said to be haunted by the spirit of a young woman who was murdered on the hill more than a century and a half ago.<br />According to local folklore, a young couple fell in love and agreed to marry. But first, the boy had to make his fortune, promising her he would return for her. But after years of waiting, the young girl finally gave up, thinking her husband-to-be was dead. She married another man and settled atop Blackbird Hill.<br />As the story goes, it was years later when the former lovers were once again reunited, when the young man came looking for her on the banks of the Missouri River. Overjoyed to see him, she confessed that she had never stopped loving him and only married another because she thought he was dead. Surely, it was fate that brought the long-lost lovers back together. She told him that she would go home to tell her husband that she wanted out of their marriage, so they could leave together in the morning.<br />When the girl returned to the cabin, she explained the situation to her husband, saying she did not love him and intended to leave him to marry her first love. At first, the husband begged her to stay. But when she refused, he went into a bitter rage and attacked her with his hunting knife. Mortally wounding her and with nothing to live for, he carried her to the cliff of the hill overlooking the river and leaped with her into the river far below. The woman’s death scream pierced the air until it was silenced by the muddy waters of the Missouri River. The young lover witnessed the couple tumble and drowned in the river, and he also became a victim as he later died of a broken heart.<br />A century and a half later, the river no longer touches the base of the hill Blackbird Hill, but the young woman’s restless soul remains. According to the legend, on October 17th, the anniversary of the murder-suicide, the woman’s chilling screams can be heard at the top of the hill. Over the years, dozens of people reportedly have heard her cries of terror.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">So, what do you believe? Are these just good old-fashion ghost stories passed down over the years?<br />Or are there really haunting spirits out there at the edge of the water?<br />Whatever you believe, these tales have intertwined with the history and folklore of these waterways. They have captured our imaginations and can provide us, that is if you’re feeling especially brave, a spooky adventure where you can go see for yourself. But only if you dare.<br /><br />Happy Halloween<br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><h3><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OutsideAdventuretotheMax/">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nickayak/">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Fy9wGzESVWDMuWTC9Ihqw">Youtube</a>.</span></h3></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-45224162999922579332022-10-21T04:44:00.000-07:002022-10-21T04:44:46.971-07:00OVER THE BOW: DONNER LAKE<h3 style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR506IfdmsSWiaa3I2iNGb1nmpdBRQgzdLrglwzbUh8-GSfN2T5lhBcxqLu3pFIjjvT48zNKcWKqRV5Xa71HEvjq5ieLwbNr51eQBLvYIW_qgJ97aeQ7CDoCfolG4HdKHB3OCtYvgckTSHOzmem-ritjAza6jMOjHSz6rsWgHrlXPWkjzL12PHJcGWww/s1440/donner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="1440" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR506IfdmsSWiaa3I2iNGb1nmpdBRQgzdLrglwzbUh8-GSfN2T5lhBcxqLu3pFIjjvT48zNKcWKqRV5Xa71HEvjq5ieLwbNr51eQBLvYIW_qgJ97aeQ7CDoCfolG4HdKHB3OCtYvgckTSHOzmem-ritjAza6jMOjHSz6rsWgHrlXPWkjzL12PHJcGWww/w640-h624/donner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">We were in the shadow of the <span style="font-size: 18.72px;">mountains;</span> the light was cool and <span style="font-size: 18.72px;">quiet,</span> and no wind was stirring. The aspen trunks were slightly <span style="font-size: 18.72px;">greenish,</span> and the leaves were a vibrant yellow --- Ansel Adams</span></i></h3><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div>Sitting at just under 6,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Donner Lake offers an array of breathtaking panoramic views of craggy peaks, charming chalets, and the lake's clear blue water. Located 11 miles Northwest of its big sister Lake Tahoe near Truckee, California, it is the area's history that captivates us. The harrowing tale of the Donner Party being stranded there in the winter of 1846-1847 is one of the greatest tragedies in the history of westward migration. While the Chinese laborers who toiled to build the transcontinental railroad over the mountains with picks and shovels can only be considered a triumph. </div><div> </div><div>It's Autumn, and the tourists of summertime have headed back home. While others wait for the snow to come so that they can return to the slopes. The lake was quiet and still felt like summer. A few swimmers were even venturing into its waters, and I led a kayaking group out onto it. California can't compete with whole forests of trees changing colors like in New England. The only hint that it was fall was a few stands of stunning, brightly colored aspens reflecting off the lake. </div><div><br /></div><div><h3><b style="color: #ffa400;">Over the Bow is a feature from Outside Adventure to the Max, telling the story behind the image. If you have a great picture with a great story, submit it to us at nickayak@gmail.com</b></h3><h3><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OutsideAdventuretotheMax/">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nickayak/">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Fy9wGzESVWDMuWTC9Ihqw">Youtube</a>.</span></h3></div><div><br /></div><div dir="auto"></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-5322085705586800522022-10-14T00:00:00.001-07:002022-10-14T04:42:50.339-07:00 GLOW PADDLE 2022 & VIDEO<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVG1C_zyIhAZtY79Nw2WJ0NYcLNh-ud5YRr65LP3oQ3znOu9PKEiZhLcefE1PGjdzgRF-7dE3V_BasNDlq1mJYavWH1anuMaqXZIxcCk_aloQSFq15whk4SPeqCdnG0fRu6vLco9TUAS8idwGVcAFNZfZzYWsFowYo22lav82cYK8_wiD6ZD8LsEdlQ/s2016/GLOW%20PADDLE%2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVG1C_zyIhAZtY79Nw2WJ0NYcLNh-ud5YRr65LP3oQ3znOu9PKEiZhLcefE1PGjdzgRF-7dE3V_BasNDlq1mJYavWH1anuMaqXZIxcCk_aloQSFq15whk4SPeqCdnG0fRu6vLco9TUAS8idwGVcAFNZfZzYWsFowYo22lav82cYK8_wiD6ZD8LsEdlQ/w640-h480/GLOW%20PADDLE%2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The sixth annual Glow Paddle once again lit up the waters of Lake Natoma last weekend. It was not ordinary kayaking or paddle boarding experience as well over 30 watercrafts, decorated with a myriad of colorful lights and glowsticks, paddled along the lakeshore at dusk and then in the dark.</div><div>The premise of the event was simple. Participants brought their own kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, boats, or inflatables to Lake Natoma's Black Miners Bar within Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and lit them up like Christmas trees. The glowing fleet then launched onto the lake and waited for the sunset to light up the night.</div><div>Experiencing nature and the lake in the dark was only enhanced by the nearly full moon as lit-up paddlers journeyed up to Folsom Rainbow Bridge on still waters. It was a truly magical sight to see all the boats on the water. </div><div>A traditional informal event, the Glow Paddle was made up of several paddling groups and was a fun and free activity.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="436" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vg5yehYCXBE" width="614" youtube-src-id="vg5yehYCXBE"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-79500460244717217012022-09-30T16:29:00.000-07:002022-09-30T16:29:18.134-07:00KAYAK SUMMER 2022<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaehY5K1QJ7AuAyzrYx4iAuGqFr_KB4i34OpviZSdr5cRfSKtWlk1K6SSnC2oxCSuuFqc2ibbZ4i6KaKaoTYS_G39G9jq-pmYLuHwusvji-AV4nraHteZiAw8BLN320ezXf0JVPi1fupoK56b7vFmPA-9SID4MTFG1FRexf5jtpyEprrx7aGwhBJtwA/s1918/Summertime%20lead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1918" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaehY5K1QJ7AuAyzrYx4iAuGqFr_KB4i34OpviZSdr5cRfSKtWlk1K6SSnC2oxCSuuFqc2ibbZ4i6KaKaoTYS_G39G9jq-pmYLuHwusvji-AV4nraHteZiAw8BLN320ezXf0JVPi1fupoK56b7vFmPA-9SID4MTFG1FRexf5jtpyEprrx7aGwhBJtwA/w640-h360/Summertime%20lead.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>It is the glistening autumnal side of summer. I feel a cool vein in the breeze, which braces my thought, and I pass with pleasure over sheltered and sunny portions of the sand where the summer's heat is undiminished, and I realize what a friend I am losing. --- Henry David Thoreau</i></span></b></h3><br />We were lying on a white granite beach on a high Serria lakeshore staring up into the cosmos. Campfires were prohibited, and rightly so. So, the stars blazing in the sky were our only source of light since the full moon had leaped over the peaks of the mountains just yet. We were waiting for meteors to streak across the sky when someone mentioned Elan Musk's Starlink. It's a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing satellite Internet access coverage to 40 countries around the world. Starlink now boasts well over 2,000 functional satellites orbiting overhead.<div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCKSeWLdd1l0vXGkImhkqkvJ3nBFKkW7WSlJ0Sd9iv6-bwYe8YqesLuy2Zy8tuGgGt0WN1dRS6vq1S4I9Ko0oV-zsd9Bn9PJuKbM5P0NbRh9KKgiaqK-NDWyURciqlRBqYIb5YS1UtJ0DNcVQRs_jwhjhkNcuyxSgHzPUWf3v3rAYQMxSCI5FGqPAFw/s1440/summer%20time%20ww.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCKSeWLdd1l0vXGkImhkqkvJ3nBFKkW7WSlJ0Sd9iv6-bwYe8YqesLuy2Zy8tuGgGt0WN1dRS6vq1S4I9Ko0oV-zsd9Bn9PJuKbM5P0NbRh9KKgiaqK-NDWyURciqlRBqYIb5YS1UtJ0DNcVQRs_jwhjhkNcuyxSgHzPUWf3v3rAYQMxSCI5FGqPAFw/s320/summer%20time%20ww.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Sly Park Paddle Rentals </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Moments later, the strange moving chain of bright dots resembling a brilliant caravan of lights traveled from west to east across the sky. I tried to count the number of the bright lights but quickly lost count as they moved in succession across the sky. Lasting a few minutes, it was like a freight train rolling by and heading off to some faraway place. And then it was gone. The progression of satellites was a quick and stunning display. And then disappeared into the sky. <br /><br />My summer was like that too. It's a very fast succession of days that dwindles at the dawn of autumn. Now once again, I'm saying goodbye to my well-spent summer days. <br /><br />When my wife, Debbie, and I moved from Fair Oaks to Placerville, California, last May, it brought me much closer to the proximity of Sly Park and the South Fork of the American River. <br />Sly Park and Lake Jenkinson were a given since I was once again working the boathouse for Sly Park Paddle Rentals for my fifth year in a row. My weekends were filled with a steady dose of canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. And to think I'm lucky enough to be getting paid for it.<br />On the South Fork, on the other hand, I only got to cross the Highway 94 bridge. Like a lot of paddlers, I look over the bridge while driving over it to check out the current and see if I see any boats or anyone I know. And wish I was there. It didn't matter if the flow was high or low. I wanted to go. The South Fork whitewater will have to wait a while longer.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AUALyomtN2c2V16DrCwsTds8wcSFpK4Ll2BOmY_8UjDhXdal-tX554dHKdPJM3mMVsYXnc_ULPkdpSF0DRxiVOAQUaM19yP_MpRhfhOr4F8pkkjwFdimukoRS3JnStEubTO6Glj9S2afnRnALf9gTFhVPYgOQ7neW6OF97SRy28PZg8W1i-Th_BJqg/s3003/gat%20aa.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2147" data-original-width="3003" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AUALyomtN2c2V16DrCwsTds8wcSFpK4Ll2BOmY_8UjDhXdal-tX554dHKdPJM3mMVsYXnc_ULPkdpSF0DRxiVOAQUaM19yP_MpRhfhOr4F8pkkjwFdimukoRS3JnStEubTO6Glj9S2afnRnALf9gTFhVPYgOQ7neW6OF97SRy28PZg8W1i-Th_BJqg/w400-h286/gat%20aa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>GAT training with Current Adventures </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>They had been waiting for a long-time to be racing on the Lower American River. After a Covid-related shutdown for the past two summers, the Great American Triathlon race and our training resumed with Current Adventures. Dan Crandall and I showed the racers for the racers the best lines for the kayaking section run down the American River through San Juan Rapids. Win or just participate, our paddlers rocked their evening training sessions. By all reports, they rocked it on race day. <br /><br />My summers wouldn't be summer without our Annual trips to Loon Lake and down the Sacramento River with Bayside Adventure Sports. Our jewel is Loon Lake on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. A scenic vista along the entire lake. It has picturesque mountain views and splendid emerald color waters surrounded by white granite boulders, laced with Sierra junipers growing on tops and ridges and in the splits between the glacier pavements of granite. My paddling partner john Taylor and I spent the whole week there leading two different groups during August. Our paddlers never know how valuable these quiet places are until they paddled into them for a few days.</div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm9f_p9zFvlZeCRwk4Sb5sTMrGsg3jeo1zmN-zHz19bjm8Q5C0Rf2-o37K28vEspdr9h65oVQBPAW1uFi6g9hVeYdo_Cqu0YTyKqLfB87PLWMgp5Lstc2F7MnP7KiINkn02Rbn-imlAseInrhN0-FkJ7PnGYoEbXVY5P2YO0uDAx2Hy48lHGUH4DPgA/s1402/loon%20grass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1402" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm9f_p9zFvlZeCRwk4Sb5sTMrGsg3jeo1zmN-zHz19bjm8Q5C0Rf2-o37K28vEspdr9h65oVQBPAW1uFi6g9hVeYdo_Cqu0YTyKqLfB87PLWMgp5Lstc2F7MnP7KiINkn02Rbn-imlAseInrhN0-FkJ7PnGYoEbXVY5P2YO0uDAx2Hy48lHGUH4DPgA/w640-h430/loon%20grass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Loon Lake with Bayside Adventure Sports</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our Sacramento River weekend trip near Red Bluff, California, finished my summer season just last weekend. The highlight was seeing Lassen Peak, one of the largest domed volcanoes in the world, as a backdrop for our fast river run.<br /><br /></div><div>Sandwiched in between, I paddled throughout the summer, trying to squeeze every drop out of our summer I could.</div><div> </div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7JoebAKfXQrtX-oJb1MHsQr0JmwyUrD5G68x_5xbDiRRoSav3bt-lA7p-3KSCgBr4Mdr6IgN98xArho0bYDw0Ot7wIr4jIFtglaf_udiqcsXXXC-y_408xi-p9vm5R204gn9JgtwzMbjcDpLtlP9XmCPiN73owvJYfKJNh6pEZe-IdVHzVpUmtO9Bw/s1301/summertime%20ccc.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1301" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7JoebAKfXQrtX-oJb1MHsQr0JmwyUrD5G68x_5xbDiRRoSav3bt-lA7p-3KSCgBr4Mdr6IgN98xArho0bYDw0Ot7wIr4jIFtglaf_udiqcsXXXC-y_408xi-p9vm5R204gn9JgtwzMbjcDpLtlP9XmCPiN73owvJYfKJNh6pEZe-IdVHzVpUmtO9Bw/w400-h285/summertime%20ccc.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Jenkinson & The Boathouse</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>"Suddenly, I experienced the feeling of longing, longing for the canyon. It was almost as if we left something back there." Recalled adventure paddler Andrzej Pietowski when describing the fleeting moments of looking back into Peru's Colca Canyon, the deepest on earth, after making its first descent down it, "Something viable, breathing, some small but living part of ourselves. The longing has remained with me ever since."<br />Summer 2022 is over. It's time to officially remember what day of the week it is. I do look back, longing for more of it. I feel like I left part of myself behind. I feel like I left something out. <br />And now, as we hurtle ourselves toward another autumn, I reflect on that high Sierra beach watching Starlink satellites trek across. Just like them, summer might be gone, but memories still flicker.<div><br /></div><div><h2 style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.5em 0px; position: relative;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Here is a look at some of my favorite images from this past summer.</span></b></h2><div><b><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5Uf4OpBXiAhzTtflGNwh6jlDmi9MW4kWDY7EPLv6Tkl37dqxNbFsSaAdR3CkfBbov8PC2JUSTurqX-3zPLaxzB83_aLgy1z2Sm9udpHAVud9M_LDPx4-briQRAuZ6scp8fK1DEgNw0gFE8AeYwk0lWF0I00zFpVuPYt8JdNaS9fE5ciRkqzmGpQVjA/s4032/lassen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1922" data-original-width="4032" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5Uf4OpBXiAhzTtflGNwh6jlDmi9MW4kWDY7EPLv6Tkl37dqxNbFsSaAdR3CkfBbov8PC2JUSTurqX-3zPLaxzB83_aLgy1z2Sm9udpHAVud9M_LDPx4-briQRAuZ6scp8fK1DEgNw0gFE8AeYwk0lWF0I00zFpVuPYt8JdNaS9fE5ciRkqzmGpQVjA/w640-h306/lassen.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>The Sacramento River with Bayside Adventure Sports </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6asbH5h82zPPEg0A60y2L0pLLtRxl3Whdx1yQ7REKfh13gJNuFDxp2iTSOpIn3vMBLb57GHgPNe0m2SZCHKsyKiDVXYiy41IzDxPznvauXF1_2dI_2cxV8bnqtpYx65G3g6rCdJHXK2umnYIqD0u8ulaUSdGDm3cowNSzdiM9pkQk1KtieNK9UMW1lQ/s1440/basyside.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6asbH5h82zPPEg0A60y2L0pLLtRxl3Whdx1yQ7REKfh13gJNuFDxp2iTSOpIn3vMBLb57GHgPNe0m2SZCHKsyKiDVXYiy41IzDxPznvauXF1_2dI_2cxV8bnqtpYx65G3g6rCdJHXK2umnYIqD0u8ulaUSdGDm3cowNSzdiM9pkQk1KtieNK9UMW1lQ/w400-h400/basyside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Natoma </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviLvc7qaNcttdW25YceOZauM3OlQb_7JflVSO6FUJVWq_hNKm_bnhLVjk97ezxBlGU1jY5yMni2dERTrqr1OZ7D1zYnGuNgfl7Uc_eIFhyZLV8V1VAZaoLGi_wXq52FYiJ3mVkdiFFVuOl0vuFXa3hSKo8HiOcr8fobuf-CbUpVAyyFv_ArPnhu6xOQ/s4160/summer%20time%20ff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviLvc7qaNcttdW25YceOZauM3OlQb_7JflVSO6FUJVWq_hNKm_bnhLVjk97ezxBlGU1jY5yMni2dERTrqr1OZ7D1zYnGuNgfl7Uc_eIFhyZLV8V1VAZaoLGi_wXq52FYiJ3mVkdiFFVuOl0vuFXa3hSKo8HiOcr8fobuf-CbUpVAyyFv_ArPnhu6xOQ/w640-h480/summer%20time%20ff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>The Lower American River </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiKnVokjznqZiDOxqPIF_FQ73zaT1D8QCAUSPwWhPXD6tF86_8B8--g_21AQSKPaxbB4kYAhyygJ1HxQOaClrOmT3otUgWLbxniKPwx2ABYTKUaYkaRRGuies1CQRP5D0oBo-C2PS2IbW2s25gQ41iXYPvzgltanw0AOlWR_FVi-RiCC69sJly1P3QQ/s2901/food%20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="2901" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiKnVokjznqZiDOxqPIF_FQ73zaT1D8QCAUSPwWhPXD6tF86_8B8--g_21AQSKPaxbB4kYAhyygJ1HxQOaClrOmT3otUgWLbxniKPwx2ABYTKUaYkaRRGuies1CQRP5D0oBo-C2PS2IbW2s25gQ41iXYPvzgltanw0AOlWR_FVi-RiCC69sJly1P3QQ/w400-h306/food%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Shore dinner at Loon Lake </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpR-4rkIlg1yjhUsL4BrqD2nWtbAOPKco5A2BUflFlzaceZpRsifxeRqJAMBashcAbV58803Yd1x5qFNfRKR9H-J6uDNhZ8sL71igdXb-TtzrJF_9wayAgzYsGl4jfcQSkzdizIDH9XFG_zp0Ex8yZCzB5JNNIlOyU6uEtdto4ry3gH0BE1v0ByVDFg/s4032/GAT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpR-4rkIlg1yjhUsL4BrqD2nWtbAOPKco5A2BUflFlzaceZpRsifxeRqJAMBashcAbV58803Yd1x5qFNfRKR9H-J6uDNhZ8sL71igdXb-TtzrJF_9wayAgzYsGl4jfcQSkzdizIDH9XFG_zp0Ex8yZCzB5JNNIlOyU6uEtdto4ry3gH0BE1v0ByVDFg/w400-h225/GAT.jpg" width="400" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>GAT training on Lower American River </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew3fYmAP15c3mOWq8-Tkdh5Aa1rfkmiZkkQabX3gVzQ6IIqw5c0xMcjfGQ3gc3dWA88pqQUMTR2c4dGPVIRNmFXhai5qjOeKc3APUOmMCGOrnLdUTuim-pwzZGiuoPRg1PvgMPv1hUrta1WJOuv1StReGnNapjMkf18piwcradQg07CKG1O7KdYA7pg/s3844/summertime%20cc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3844" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew3fYmAP15c3mOWq8-Tkdh5Aa1rfkmiZkkQabX3gVzQ6IIqw5c0xMcjfGQ3gc3dWA88pqQUMTR2c4dGPVIRNmFXhai5qjOeKc3APUOmMCGOrnLdUTuim-pwzZGiuoPRg1PvgMPv1hUrta1WJOuv1StReGnNapjMkf18piwcradQg07CKG1O7KdYA7pg/w640-h360/summertime%20cc.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Lake Jenkinson</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8ycdCqfNbGLnx_xSn1hP5pOlGE_iRL22Fjl4BfS2x6kgy6GXJpg4Hy274P_jGuwWC38kohyxxloH5kOZngVRVxBCPD89LMQtnrEAp1hXAp0riNKIeSK6hdHHZiQqC6NnGE5u__ljS4PvUhNYHr7RudNqfKtKApb6dP1WnOjVWhr-urIlLwU8BuBgTw/s4160/Lower%20A%20R.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2312" data-original-width="4160" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8ycdCqfNbGLnx_xSn1hP5pOlGE_iRL22Fjl4BfS2x6kgy6GXJpg4Hy274P_jGuwWC38kohyxxloH5kOZngVRVxBCPD89LMQtnrEAp1hXAp0riNKIeSK6hdHHZiQqC6NnGE5u__ljS4PvUhNYHr7RudNqfKtKApb6dP1WnOjVWhr-urIlLwU8BuBgTw/w400-h223/Lower%20A%20R.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">The Lower American River </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBiAVjrZB_XLoO1zqJDsc-1EvoaTFf7oNDzXXI1F3zUWSJYvFLrGIyNisGeJm0FezPVYj7DjEKwUdehpHzJjfFZjqwwjgppygnyWSTqNrjw5wdMRAMD6QpUEy5Dqw5BJXMXn1Dd88sD9vsBA3gg2a0gKbyjGk2eVR2w4IafU2chyKWUVS7xRNzek_Ng/s1881/summer%20rain.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1881" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBiAVjrZB_XLoO1zqJDsc-1EvoaTFf7oNDzXXI1F3zUWSJYvFLrGIyNisGeJm0FezPVYj7DjEKwUdehpHzJjfFZjqwwjgppygnyWSTqNrjw5wdMRAMD6QpUEy5Dqw5BJXMXn1Dd88sD9vsBA3gg2a0gKbyjGk2eVR2w4IafU2chyKWUVS7xRNzek_Ng/w640-h360/summer%20rain.jpg" width="640" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Lake Jenkinson </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b><h3><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h2 style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.5em 0px; position: relative;"><b style="background-color: #1c1c1c;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></b><b style="background-color: #1c1c1c;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></b></h2><h2 style="color: white; font: 18px Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; margin: 0.5em 0px; position: relative; text-transform: none;"></h2></div></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-62802322014392434692022-09-23T08:20:00.000-07:002022-09-23T08:20:32.628-07:00BOATHOUSE DAYS, MY FIFTH SUMMER ON LAKE JENKINSON PART II<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFlPzMsfaozB3qv9tpMUPn_KNhyy3R7fdQQVbL3WJA7m1a1JKqWlgz_QcS6w_K-Q6oDqbs-vwbBMdFI0ODUouQiY-jUduUUzuySvdNJXmUAQCTUhu-sDDNZqF1X3z8SBFz9h9KqcChG7CCdFoDdRlkJcdUp4ywY8_ttOvlwxsGOqb7DavUNiecC0AhQ/s4032/SALY%202%20LEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFlPzMsfaozB3qv9tpMUPn_KNhyy3R7fdQQVbL3WJA7m1a1JKqWlgz_QcS6w_K-Q6oDqbs-vwbBMdFI0ODUouQiY-jUduUUzuySvdNJXmUAQCTUhu-sDDNZqF1X3z8SBFz9h9KqcChG7CCdFoDdRlkJcdUp4ywY8_ttOvlwxsGOqb7DavUNiecC0AhQ/w640-h360/SALY%202%20LEAD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability --- Sam Keen</span></i></b></h3><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></b></div></span></i></b></h3><div>Summertime and the livin' is easy," the popular George Gershwin song goes. On Lake Jenkinson at Sly Park Paddle Rentals, it definitely had that feeling when the blue skies and sunshine greeted me on the weekend mornings. The rains of June are soggy memory now through the end of August. It would be only sun-splashed days at the boathouse.</div><div>After 5 years, I've got my routine down, opening up my little boathouse. Make a list of reservations at home, grab the park radio at the front gate, and drive the 3 miles meandering through the park to Stonebreaker Boat Launch. <br />Once there, I would resemble a pack mule carrying a weekend supply of ice, food, and water down the long path to the boathouse. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-cX2v_46eg83Sw1anCNzzIAkjjoExCsj83ecmSqYT2WfmoRdMMLY3enWStJ-hCLegOEUBzhQJx0gwB9I7ycEir0uwShDGBZUj0NFDI2HyN0NjnbryP2TOs88TemL0FHlqouGYSoQ9hMy3jyYnVhHb1d7nEj9q49OJs1xUgKbsoReLCnNjWfgiEwwdw/s4032/SLY%202%20a.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-cX2v_46eg83Sw1anCNzzIAkjjoExCsj83ecmSqYT2WfmoRdMMLY3enWStJ-hCLegOEUBzhQJx0gwB9I7ycEir0uwShDGBZUj0NFDI2HyN0NjnbryP2TOs88TemL0FHlqouGYSoQ9hMy3jyYnVhHb1d7nEj9q49OJs1xUgKbsoReLCnNjWfgiEwwdw/w320-h180/SLY%202%20a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />After a gulp of coffee, I would pull the stacked paddle boards out of the boathouse and line them up on the dock. Then knock a few kayaks off the dock into the water and stage an arm full of PFDS nearby. <br />Almost there. Next, I set up my flag and throw up my open sign that I'm ready for business. <br />If I was early, and usually was, I would save the flag and sign for later and enjoy a quick wake-up swim in the lake followed by breakfast with a cup of coffee. <br />"Morning simply isn't morning without a cup of coffee, but not just any cup will do," wrote canoeist and writer Jerry Dennis, "I want it black and strong enough to kick-start me into wakefulness."<br /><br />If a Saturday or Sunday, y crew of high school kids, Walden and Noelle, jump into action outfitting the novices with PFDs and paddles. <br />Tandems and SUPs are the crafts of choice on these hot summer days. Canoes are still very popular for families with small children. Want to paddle on your own? Check out a single kayak.<br />While anyone can walk up and get a boat, reservations are encouraged. Since they have already paid for the rental and filled out the waiver, they are in the express lane to the water.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajCEtk4vn20WDKCvJw7sqUrLA_JhMzCOEhPCckSskzY24O5gVbIiY5QOWvknuHbg1Jhp199Wsc0ti4x8uzgVBQzPL_GxPGC6puxIWcuQqow4m-LCW5tpFbMMdA5UqlOGIIdRnZmg3MulbHz6aeA9eIDN_q6mMjOvLbpH4ivmribl0h1iBAziwTrTqMg/s4032/Sly%202%20d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajCEtk4vn20WDKCvJw7sqUrLA_JhMzCOEhPCckSskzY24O5gVbIiY5QOWvknuHbg1Jhp199Wsc0ti4x8uzgVBQzPL_GxPGC6puxIWcuQqow4m-LCW5tpFbMMdA5UqlOGIIdRnZmg3MulbHz6aeA9eIDN_q6mMjOvLbpH4ivmribl0h1iBAziwTrTqMg/w640-h360/Sly%202%20d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div> <br /><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Friday, July 8...Busy start to my day. Dan and I had Great American Triathlon Training last night. We did the whole course. Afterward, I had to bring some boats up to Sly with me because our paddlers wanted to try them out on the lake. I suggested they come up to Sly Park. So, here I am, unloading two sit-inside kayaks. I dropped them off at the boat ramp and floated them over, thinking that the way winds work, they would be pushed over the rest of the way to the boathouse. It didn't happen, and I ended up swimming them over the rest of the way. </b><br /><b>The water is very swimmable now. It's clear and refreshing. When I jumped in, there, of course, was a little shock of cold, but it quickly subsided as I swam toward the boats. </b><br /><b>Last month I would have paddled them over but being so warm out, it's the only way to go.</b><br /><b>All is well for Friday. I brought a good lunch and even dropped off some cookies at the front gate for the staff. Just a random act of kindness. It made his day. He was really hungry. </b></span></i><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2LU-pfeuab7NiJJd67Pe0rN40yXflHOEsFHumGbBC0K91AZyQEuApgqLlpvd2s3JLLHoGmpm4-KGCsr3VrRDArBEpjPcg4t3A-i_ku1_79_SMjZeWSQ4fOc8yRLod_uYeM6nWcAFBzhCZpH5JjSEfHlaPJQ7Zf9wVIdx-JbmXHTNiXRCxNfB3S7UaA/s4032/20220708_185650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2LU-pfeuab7NiJJd67Pe0rN40yXflHOEsFHumGbBC0K91AZyQEuApgqLlpvd2s3JLLHoGmpm4-KGCsr3VrRDArBEpjPcg4t3A-i_ku1_79_SMjZeWSQ4fOc8yRLod_uYeM6nWcAFBzhCZpH5JjSEfHlaPJQ7Zf9wVIdx-JbmXHTNiXRCxNfB3S7UaA/w400-h225/20220708_185650.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Saturday, July 9...By far one of our busiest days of the season. It was a tandem day as every one of them went out. Some even went twice and three times.</b></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>The weather was perfect, with light winds and clear blue skies. </b><br /><b>The only drawback was the lake was dropping. Our gangplank was even with the last cement block of our sidewalk. It won't be long till it's dirt.</b><br /><b>The night before, I took a paddle and hike up to the falls just to see them flowing. I haven't been able to paddle to the bridge for a few years now. I have to remind myself over and over again of what it used to look like with water. Each year I say, hopefully, next season, we will have more water. </b><br /><b>I'm so grateful that this view of Middle Earth did not burn up in last year's fire. It was so so close. </b><br /><b>Sunday, July 10...We have a few reservations. But most of them haven't shown up yet. Some folks are like that. They'll rush to get here and run behind. When they get here. I tell them to take it slow and relax, you're at the lake now. </b></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHHZOfgXfspap4sXOVZWH4dIekSz5wlfKbytEwQpQzftpBIef09tXJuI2TYHFjl_VcheaKM4thPl1nhK9W1e8IRzVtfn8zvtxHK0DCU6w5FhLm-_U8JtPdQn3wEbFYpoqfBKqnjXIdkPtkDKYcj6FOrkS6zK3Cl5OBBz7hE6y8O4KOCyYoHgEOtB4KQ/s3502/SLY%202%20e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2236" data-original-width="3502" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHHZOfgXfspap4sXOVZWH4dIekSz5wlfKbytEwQpQzftpBIef09tXJuI2TYHFjl_VcheaKM4thPl1nhK9W1e8IRzVtfn8zvtxHK0DCU6w5FhLm-_U8JtPdQn3wEbFYpoqfBKqnjXIdkPtkDKYcj6FOrkS6zK3Cl5OBBz7hE6y8O4KOCyYoHgEOtB4KQ/s320/SLY%202%20e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></b></span></i><div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">“Enter, stranger, but take heed<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Of what awaits the sin of greed,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">For those who take, but do not earn,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Must pay most dearly in their turn,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"> J.K. Rowling</span></b></i></h3><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></b></i></div>We had a few days in the middle of July that was more than a little upsetting for me. Our boathouse and dock are an easy target for someone when it is unattended. Even with the gate securely locked, I've found muddy footprints, beer cans, and tangled fishing lines left behind on the dock. And while usually, the park brings in some great patrons, we did end up with the door kicked in this year, some boats taken on a joy ride, and on another night had a paddle board stolen off the deck. I would try to keep a look out for it for the rest of the summer. <br /><br />In the meantime, it was always a great way to start the day with either; a quick swim, a canoe ride, or both before opening up. And at the end of the day, I would always paddle my kayak. Sometimes I would stay in the comfort of the upper lake by paddling up the creek or across the way from the boathouse to the wind-protected bay, while other times, I would head out across the big lake and round the island on the far west end. When there is enough water, it is two islands, but with the lake dropping every week, it has become one large one. It can be pretty bumping out there as I crash through the waves of motorboats. But the setting sun always makes the water glisten in gold. Coming through the narrows in the twilight, the water was very still and quiet.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVybQejVaj65D4R7rvb1hdPpvoOYj3RsKmb78FgVeLOn5kUBYM2yek4lngYMlalh0cR443yWP4iInACNvY7XFiEZ9J8chxTMhhixe49aWrycL4wi2ULHg1cSvxFGwCXYoKWgivAWEKS3jXz_dnB1Dd5GVXL3rHeIZ0ZTyYvHJim2EPs6fFphL_oSyM1A/s1920/VideoCapture_20220828-214720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVybQejVaj65D4R7rvb1hdPpvoOYj3RsKmb78FgVeLOn5kUBYM2yek4lngYMlalh0cR443yWP4iInACNvY7XFiEZ9J8chxTMhhixe49aWrycL4wi2ULHg1cSvxFGwCXYoKWgivAWEKS3jXz_dnB1Dd5GVXL3rHeIZ0ZTyYvHJim2EPs6fFphL_oSyM1A/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20220828-214720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div>I send all sorts of people away in boats. There are big people, small people, men, women, and kids. Some have paddled before, and some have never stepped into a canoe or kayak in their entire life. And yes, I think that is a little alarming when I think about it since I'm about to send them out onto the lake. <br />Good luck, I tell them. I hope you have fun. See you in an hour, and glad you signed the waiver. <br />My rescues are few. Most of the time, they come back safe sound, saying they had a great time. Sometimes they come back soaked to the skin, but they still say they had a great time.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZHfni6qKmOBDSynuNEgqwdRXy06RNGa-IDQ0bK8m2BHylpD5sAU7Ewof0YdSev2H-Ae4VK37uPbF9e69tPcoiGAaNxIB7YAP8DKrcE5IDEyVq635UfWjP9BGOXuexuyLR0mOG0i2rD0YsMN374flj_czBL8nPdJSiZvGshs5MZOxU-wp9x3pSDfYWQ/s2885/SLy%202%20b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2261" data-original-width="2885" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZHfni6qKmOBDSynuNEgqwdRXy06RNGa-IDQ0bK8m2BHylpD5sAU7Ewof0YdSev2H-Ae4VK37uPbF9e69tPcoiGAaNxIB7YAP8DKrcE5IDEyVq635UfWjP9BGOXuexuyLR0mOG0i2rD0YsMN374flj_czBL8nPdJSiZvGshs5MZOxU-wp9x3pSDfYWQ/s320/SLy%202%20b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Friday, July 15...Greeted today with a busted-in door and a missing kayak. What a way to disrupt my morning. </span></b></i></div><div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Saturday, July 16...An eventful day yesterday with our door getting bashed in and a kayak pirated away. But we got it back, and the ranger came and fixed the door. The first one didn't work. Since I didn't want him to carry them up the hill, I stacked them on canoes and paddled them to Stonebreaker. </span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, July 17...The start of another disappointing day as one of our SUPS was stolen last night. Thinking someone took it for a joy ride, I search and search along the lake shore early this morning with no luck.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Friday, July 22...A much better way to start the day at Sly Park. Quiet and uneventful. No break-ins, nothing stolen, just peace and quiet. </span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">After opening, I took a canoe out on the morning's breathless waters floating along, listening to the sounds of the forest. The swish of my paddle, the buzz of bugs, and the caw of crows.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Friday, July 29...SUP paddling is certainly all the rage right now. Here at the lake, I'm seeing more and more of them. Mostly inflatables, made with hard materials but easy to store and transport. They fit in the closet as well as in the trunk of a car. It's getting common to see folks pumping their SUPS up either by hand or with an electric pump either in the parking lot or right at the lake access, hooked up to a car battery. The sound of their electric pump's hums over the water. </span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">There are generally two types of paddlers for them. The first is there for a power paddle workout going from one end of the lake to another. The others are there as social paddlers more interested in rafting up in groups of 2 to 20, never leaving sight of the boat access.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div><i><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpUjxp2Bhys8iV8DQi92BlJzx9ag6DmGtdicMz58K5_uFQ1_wMTbpTHDxY0oUgF_Nw0qfXI3zYX6HO4GSEwwx_V4nT-NgmFRYC2buKiEkhHRF5flWjfatdYnzM12gs2oswstFyKHjQtN0S79UVdw24EnUb_GKbuXrZUeES_Tc2VBeFAzmjpxryA1kZA/s4032/SLy%202%20j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpUjxp2Bhys8iV8DQi92BlJzx9ag6DmGtdicMz58K5_uFQ1_wMTbpTHDxY0oUgF_Nw0qfXI3zYX6HO4GSEwwx_V4nT-NgmFRYC2buKiEkhHRF5flWjfatdYnzM12gs2oswstFyKHjQtN0S79UVdw24EnUb_GKbuXrZUeES_Tc2VBeFAzmjpxryA1kZA/w400-h225/SLy%202%20j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, July 31...The lake is going down. It dropped, even more, this week. I had to start building a trail again.</span></b></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Sunday, August 7...Quiet start to my day. The sign at the gate says the lake is 74% percent, but it seems to have dropped more overnight. The boathouse and dock keep sinking further and further into the lake. No telling what it will be in two weeks. But summers are like that now in the foothills.</b></span></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Friday, August 19...Like always, the lake has dropped. Had to extend my little foot trail to the gangplank another six feet. Who knew that running a boathouse would involve trail building.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Not a cloud in the sky right now, and it's hot! I'm hoping for a breeze soon. It will be easy to cook my burritos by wrapping them in tin foil and laying them on the deck.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div><i><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Muo5WdBsPYR-nPKS0sk5dkCtEEjJbAcaUHYhCz7-SQnuif_yIcEMRivx0WOTVuYNdkVpYi1SClBre6CycYjd6puDwxF8CNwSUkDWyvFq6Zhjop_kNvqqDCTEVncQ6fwblqt26xGZA0_ztGIo8VtaI_LvQXZWIS-OjdQ7rirJO6sEPlRLCgHSIU5MA/s4032/20220820_100652.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Muo5WdBsPYR-nPKS0sk5dkCtEEjJbAcaUHYhCz7-SQnuif_yIcEMRivx0WOTVuYNdkVpYi1SClBre6CycYjd6puDwxF8CNwSUkDWyvFq6Zhjop_kNvqqDCTEVncQ6fwblqt26xGZA0_ztGIo8VtaI_LvQXZWIS-OjdQ7rirJO6sEPlRLCgHSIU5MA/w400-h225/20220820_100652.heic" width="400" /></a></div></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Later, I thought their tandem with two dogs was a little overloaded. They opted for a tandem boat. They had told me they rolled a canoe years before. Too bad they had the same result today. Not 100 yards from the boathouse. But I was quick to rescue everyone. I paddled out in a canoe telling everyone in a calm voice that they were all ok. I gathered up their dogs first. Then told the woman to swim toward shore while the gentleman needed a little help. I had him wrap his legs around the bow of the canoe and paddled him to shore. </span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">The rangers came, but it was all ok. We got everyone out of the water to shore. The PFDs worked like they were supposed to, giving us all a happy ending. I think they were both a bit embarrassed by all the fuss. But it all ends well.</span></b></i></div><br />It's a long goodbye to summer once the calendar rolls mid-August. The season that brought us warm nights, canoe camping adventures, and, of course, my great boathouse tan is quickly fading away.<br />While it's still scorching hot outside, the season is a time for folks to get back to normal. School is starting. There are games and activities to go to, and the trip to the lake is a summer vacation memory.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMjiuO1BPFSsSiYHjKMSnW-an0IgS7lV0blQPbBAkbIBAJTZPI0E1CMuGR3-BmqMoi-va5flwzizaEUBVUdxnlQPhjRjgWRb-VeOjXAdp3OOK7cAC-SNMOkkku0lL8luDH5nHOh6RfMIy61VxslUqp6UbB3_oEnPRDJXzZC17-vPLTonPJtSNP71dqA/s4032/Sly%20g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMjiuO1BPFSsSiYHjKMSnW-an0IgS7lV0blQPbBAkbIBAJTZPI0E1CMuGR3-BmqMoi-va5flwzizaEUBVUdxnlQPhjRjgWRb-VeOjXAdp3OOK7cAC-SNMOkkku0lL8luDH5nHOh6RfMIy61VxslUqp6UbB3_oEnPRDJXzZC17-vPLTonPJtSNP71dqA/w400-h225/Sly%20g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>For the last few seasons, the path to the boathouse gets longer and longer as Lake Jenkinson shrinks and the boathouse and dock sink into the lake valley. The sidewalk leading to the dock dropped off sometime in July. Leaving me to continuously fashion a trail the rest of the way to the gangplank.<br /><br />The lake was still a treasure for me. Morning swims, Paddleboard floats and ending every evening on the water with a kayaking experience taking out across the lake left. <br />At the boathouse, I found you have to be ready for anything, from a person forgetting their paddle at home, a canoe drifting away, or a boater's family being marooned on the other side of the lake, and another wildfire.<br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, August 21...The season is going fast now. School is starting, and folks are not thinking about coming to the lake. Yesterday was a busy day. Folks mostly wanted to rent SUPS. <br />I did have another boat rescue which is actually that. The boater could make it back from Stonebreaker access due to the fetch. So, I swam over and paddled it back.</span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYaU-0oPmV3b2YCwetF7EdwKWRAdojt2Q-KuZV-nj-GilhQPePoguuReV3FVgPxCMrtbP9yLb01Wl1jkt7CeFh_LTJ_ZBGF0CBE8DEf7__mzACKi7jkbBgRdKRSfG4QNpbgSpFxkaj4WIStkRKROWLGvaO9T18y0n0IIY7wfQF0VSkajxYO45xCPSaA/s4032/20220805_120516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYaU-0oPmV3b2YCwetF7EdwKWRAdojt2Q-KuZV-nj-GilhQPePoguuReV3FVgPxCMrtbP9yLb01Wl1jkt7CeFh_LTJ_ZBGF0CBE8DEf7__mzACKi7jkbBgRdKRSfG4QNpbgSpFxkaj4WIStkRKROWLGvaO9T18y0n0IIY7wfQF0VSkajxYO45xCPSaA/w400-h225/20220805_120516.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Friday, August 26... It's the last weekend in August for paddling. We only have a few weekends left. But hey, last year, we had already been shut for a week due to the Caldor Fire and would never open again that season. <br />The lake looks great, considering what it looked like last year. It's at 69%, and the waterfall is still flowing into the lake. We'll take it.</span></i></b><br /><br /><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">S<b>aturday, August 27...At close last night I paddled with Rob back to the main boat launch. He paddled with us at Current Adventures and raced during the Great American Triathlon. He often paddles here at Sly early mornings from one end of the lake to another and back. I met him on his return leg and paddled back with him.</b><br /><br /><b>Sunday, August 28... A sleepy start to the day. I did rescue a paddler who forgot his paddle.</b><br /><b>Again, last night, I paddled to the other end of the lake. There was not a lot of boat traffic. It was nice not to battle their waves.</b><br /><b>On the other hand, Stonebreaker has been busy this morning with the crew after crew unloading their SUPs and kayaks. A lot of folks with their own gear in this post-pandemic world.</b></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT1dvY2YOnEctPmqo2KFVgrKkXim1Ez14VEvE79d6xWb-IaH7_bj8P9feFaKGUpQh3xIy4bCe5QIDvHrqypV9YJiQlePYq4Uh4Kn2f6rOoTRBBh_a9YtNBx497M-Fj-XElSLtp2y6iea3pAVVs5MwWrxtXDT8vIVcUJce3xQo1D8BgtTPo7uUj7JSHw/s3119/SLY%20SLY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="3119" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT1dvY2YOnEctPmqo2KFVgrKkXim1Ez14VEvE79d6xWb-IaH7_bj8P9feFaKGUpQh3xIy4bCe5QIDvHrqypV9YJiQlePYq4Uh4Kn2f6rOoTRBBh_a9YtNBx497M-Fj-XElSLtp2y6iea3pAVVs5MwWrxtXDT8vIVcUJce3xQo1D8BgtTPo7uUj7JSHw/w400-h176/SLY%20SLY.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></b></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Friday, September 2...It's going to be super-hot this weekend. Temperatures in the valley will be well over 100 degrees. It's even too warm up here. Escaping the heat is going to be a good plan for the day. <br />I dropped off a kayak and floated it over to the boathouse. Luckily, I still had to swim for it. It was the best part of my day.</b></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Saturday, September 3... I did paddle up into what is left of Sly Park Creek yesterday. There is no backwater there anymore. Only a narrow bar of sediment about 6 feet tall between the stream and the lake. The upper end of the lake is dry indeed. </b></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wiXhWCvPHpr8apSi9rYVtKgauT2KUTfOutzCIUkNRu0Z4HfNarCGjkP5XC7Vs5sppYjnZ0AtXnwOQLyKPO6lnPGYgL2ywrYJlpexRQisKSF9Ub1f92E557EQQaAZ0Phu2K3RozJCkCzJHYlVCbzTmB4qOClaFWXG3R6-0dCL-dkRRepTpNEjWEn33w/s3216/SLY%20me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="3216" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wiXhWCvPHpr8apSi9rYVtKgauT2KUTfOutzCIUkNRu0Z4HfNarCGjkP5XC7Vs5sppYjnZ0AtXnwOQLyKPO6lnPGYgL2ywrYJlpexRQisKSF9Ub1f92E557EQQaAZ0Phu2K3RozJCkCzJHYlVCbzTmB4qOClaFWXG3R6-0dCL-dkRRepTpNEjWEn33w/w400-h225/SLY%20me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sunday, September 4...I started the day by giving her a canoe ride to Stonebreaker. She had rented kayaks for her kids and needed a ride to her kayak waiting for her. It was an easy trek, unlike last night when I had to paddle across and rescue a family. <br />I was just closing when a guy came up and said his boat had conked out and wouldn't start, and he couldn't get to his family on the other side of the lake. I called the rangers, but he said the boat patrol was off the water. So, I told him I would go get them in our canoes. <br />I lashed two canoes together and crossed the lake. I said, "I'm your Uber," once I reached the other side. They had lots of kids and lots of gear. I piled their cooler, tent, and kids into one canoe and tied on a water toy with two others on it. Then loaded the other boat with the other folks and told them to head to Stonebreaker. <br />We paddled across all the way laughing all the way. It was a great adventure for them all to be rescued by canoe. Dad was thankful and handed me a wad of wet cash. An unexpected way to end the day on the lake. <br /><br />Monday, September 5...Labor Day. I can't believe the summer season is already over. It's not over in the temperature department. It's sizzling out there. <br /><br />Friday, September 9...Well, I thought we would escape the fire season, but we didn't. Another one burns near Forest Hill. Last night my wife and I saw the smoke and glow of the fire from our Placerville home. It's too close for comfort. <br />I was greeted with heavy smokey skies this morning hanging over the lake. The park is quiet. The smoke will be keeping the folks away. It's too bad. It's great to paddle into the fall season, but not enough water and now smoke make it bad for business. <br /><br />Saturday, September 10...Better day than before. Just a bit of haze on the lake. The sun was a glowing ball of orange rising over the lake. I have several reservations, but who knows who will show up.<br /><br />Sunday, September 11...I'm seeing ash particles on the kayak seats, and I can't even see the trees across the lake. It's time to call it a day.</b></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoLrb_WsZYw96q-GqKmZ5eYRX466VbdOo1rjv8TOv1M9eLZe4YzZBoXzF5Gr8nBA9pJqw7alqI8HXens9uAcX8GrnStWVtiiTVudCXc3AwWiWPlD0gyM1C8UTkoTCoGuy9U7bO75sEv6ZX_BcVq-xSdjhf1w4RQ4-8qYhCkVh1ToCo6GVXOxGsw5SAA/s1920/SLY%20SMOKE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoLrb_WsZYw96q-GqKmZ5eYRX466VbdOo1rjv8TOv1M9eLZe4YzZBoXzF5Gr8nBA9pJqw7alqI8HXens9uAcX8GrnStWVtiiTVudCXc3AwWiWPlD0gyM1C8UTkoTCoGuy9U7bO75sEv6ZX_BcVq-xSdjhf1w4RQ4-8qYhCkVh1ToCo6GVXOxGsw5SAA/w640-h360/SLY%20SMOKE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Saturday, September 17...Well, it's a wrap for the boathouse this season. I came to the lake to clean out the boathouse. Yesterday it was just too smokey. Today it's super windy, and tomorrow it is supposed to rain. So, we are calling it a season. <br />I loaded all the kayak seats, PFDs, and paddles into a canoe and made four trips back and forth to Stonebreaker. Certainly, would have liked to end the summer on a high note. We will hope for better days to come.</b></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The end of summertime is accompanied by a bit of sadness. However, this season has brought some great memories. I look back at those moments with gratitude. </div><div>Thanks to Dan Crandall, the staff at The River Store, and all the rangers and park staff who helped us keep afloat during the season. Most of all, I'd like to thank our amazing customers for their patronage in making the long walk down the hill to our boathouse. </div><div>We'll see you all next spring. </div><div><br /></div><h4><span style="color: #ffa400;">If you want to go on a canoe or kayak trip at Sly Park contact:<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">PHONE: 530-333-9115 or Toll-Free: 888-452-9254<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">FAX: 530-333-1291<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">USPS: Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, CA 95651<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">info@currentadventures.com<br /></a></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">owner Dan Crandall <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">dan@kayaking.com<br /></a></span> </h4><div><h3><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-38137904862384422032022-09-16T09:39:00.000-07:002022-09-16T09:39:19.581-07:00BOATHOUSE DAYS, MY FIFTH SUMMER ON LAKE JENKINSON PART I<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJovgyqyBB02enwdWc6DYRPNnuSg208NK_3IKJNiREJGUvK7nLAakOnahoYqzt3adH6Z180qODffmoEckOdwSx8n5Ss6BeATQ-S8X3d6O9LEzOQzt3tMgZNcX8ZgR3MkdJImNNi4wqvTAoYq0nSWBrgS3Gh9RKGdKtJh7zez3OgTJQywGcnWcQkNHnZQ/s4032/Sly%20Part%201%20f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJovgyqyBB02enwdWc6DYRPNnuSg208NK_3IKJNiREJGUvK7nLAakOnahoYqzt3adH6Z180qODffmoEckOdwSx8n5Ss6BeATQ-S8X3d6O9LEzOQzt3tMgZNcX8ZgR3MkdJImNNi4wqvTAoYq0nSWBrgS3Gh9RKGdKtJh7zez3OgTJQywGcnWcQkNHnZQ/w640-h360/Sly%20Part%201%20f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></b></h3>May the light that reflects on water be this wild prayer. May water lift us with its unexpected strength. May we find comfort in the "repeated refrains of nature," the softly sheltering snow, the changing seasons, the return of blackbirds to the marsh. May we find strength in light that pours in under snow and laughter that breaks through tears. May we go out into the light-filled snow, among meadows in bloom, with gratitude for life that is deep and alive. May Earth's fire burn in our hearts, and may we know ourselves part of this flame--one thing, never alone, never weary of life. ---Kathleen Dean Moore</span></i></b></h3><div><b><br /></b></div>It's been 5 years since I started working lakeside at the boathouse on Lake Jenkinson, renting out kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to anyone who wanted to come out and paddle the lake. I have weathered a few storms, seen a lifetime of sunny days, and had way too many smokey days. I've seen enough water in the lake to paddle almost right up to the park's waterfall, and I have grimaced after seeing the lake level drop and drop and drop during these last few years of drought.<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYI1bRjXgLcE3L24DBtIHcUexP_-fW4VFpQVdT6C1XhPl_irVtYywTX_aQKG5xDlfXkpmJUP2ceBK9oZNMviP4L_a9F79arZbeiGwFmSHpAaA0mOeNP_E-zc-EM9CcIsDbIiSEcJS5W16ErLDZFg_4H82n2xdd-0bU8qnEahc2GAHVqAlGIEiVsV3Zw/s4032/Sly%20Part%20k.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYI1bRjXgLcE3L24DBtIHcUexP_-fW4VFpQVdT6C1XhPl_irVtYywTX_aQKG5xDlfXkpmJUP2ceBK9oZNMviP4L_a9F79arZbeiGwFmSHpAaA0mOeNP_E-zc-EM9CcIsDbIiSEcJS5W16ErLDZFg_4H82n2xdd-0bU8qnEahc2GAHVqAlGIEiVsV3Zw/s320/Sly%20Part%20k.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This year, I was happy to be back on the water at Sly Park Recreation Area's picturesque upper part of Lake Jenkinson near Pollock Pines, California, to start the season again at Sly Park Paddle Rentals. We had been unceremoniously closed in August of 2021 when the Caldor Fire raged nearby, forced evacuations, and closed the park for the rest of our summer.<br />When I opened the boathouse last May, I had high hopes for the season. And why not? The lake was sitting at 81% percent, Sly Park Falls was flowing strong, and I even had to bail out four nearly sunk canoes filled with rainwater after several inches of rainfall. Let's just say canoes make great rain gages.<br />Cool and cloudy mornings might not have been great for kayak rentals, but they allowed me to get everything for the upcoming season, while late evening paddles around the lake gave me a chance to get reacquainted with favorite spots at the lake.<br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, May 22...We are back on the lake today, open for business! It was a slow start with only a few reservations, but I took advantage of my time in the morning to clean up the boathouse and put everything in order. Also, later on, I bought down a boat from the parking lot along with a bunch of kids' PFDs. We will be needing more PFDs for adults, however.<br />The lake looks great to start the season. It is sitting at 81%. I also hear the waterfall is back, which is great for our paddling guests. I'll have to go up there and check it out next weekend when I'm here again. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9HXcv1ZegF6k4BQtvlEmuNBLh2jFSytdL6P_svQxPmUBA1b15rrH1n_l-hz6jZQuHPgFzqU40Mo1NIKW46d5VRlrkmHPymuGJCJ4hXX_9ykCAYduj7OEwp-XDhChCw3wQH7k4ThL8MYw5X48aLS5TFWggY1aeDYQw8KKwHLZdwrUjEdwBf5dV-BgBA/s4032/Sly%20Part%201%20b.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9HXcv1ZegF6k4BQtvlEmuNBLh2jFSytdL6P_svQxPmUBA1b15rrH1n_l-hz6jZQuHPgFzqU40Mo1NIKW46d5VRlrkmHPymuGJCJ4hXX_9ykCAYduj7OEwp-XDhChCw3wQH7k4ThL8MYw5X48aLS5TFWggY1aeDYQw8KKwHLZdwrUjEdwBf5dV-BgBA/w400-h225/Sly%20Part%201%20b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></i></b><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Friday, May 27...Well, we're kicking off summer and the Memorial Day weekend. It's a cool morning with a haze of clouds overhead. I brought up some adult PFDs and another boat today. The Ride Pescadores are very popular with my renting customers because they are so stable.<br />Last Sunday, I took a paddle up to the waterfall, or at least I tried to get there. The lake is 81% percent. While that's nice, it's not nearly full as it should be. A red bathtub ring borders the water and trees. I paddled past the buoys holding back fire debris but couldn't get much further. Sly Park Creek was a rocky rushing stream of water. So, I had to hike up the trail the rest of the way. Winding through the trees, I got a good view of Sly Park Creek as I walked to the waterfall. Past the bridge, I could hear the rumbling along with a group of men laughing and talking while standing under the fall. Knowing how cold it was, I wondered how anyone could stand to submerge themselves in the falls. Yikes! It's cold.<br />The water poured over the falls in white coursing foam. It thundered down, making the ground rumble. It's always very cool to see. The last time I was here, it was barely a trickle. But now, the jewel of the park glitters again. At least for now.</span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhCua4a2aOVrq8Wm2ICLIvM4p5u6u10yW7H2IbJ8vU1Qf4cKbuqzrg3PB-ah4xlDL4PtpTsRAOj6YhL9wj-ojlA_6l7PY65A8U6a_7dSCwEMQUxAvtBjVkjZkdnGjKuWUqEfg0bSNWN_9XePmzPaihxwc7hgBdfe3S6apCCezc8f9OehlIM6Zs45h3g/s4032/SLY%20Part%201%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhCua4a2aOVrq8Wm2ICLIvM4p5u6u10yW7H2IbJ8vU1Qf4cKbuqzrg3PB-ah4xlDL4PtpTsRAOj6YhL9wj-ojlA_6l7PY65A8U6a_7dSCwEMQUxAvtBjVkjZkdnGjKuWUqEfg0bSNWN_9XePmzPaihxwc7hgBdfe3S6apCCezc8f9OehlIM6Zs45h3g/w640-h360/SLY%20Part%201%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"> </span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, May 29...At least the sun is shining today. I didn't see it much yesterday. The wind blew and blew so much. I was surprised anyone would want to go out on the lake. It was also really cold. <br />Today is a bit warmer and spotty with cloud cover, and the wind has already picked up from the west. The boats are rocking back and forth, and the dock is being pushed around.</span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></b><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Monday, May 30...Memorial Day. Quiet morning on the lake. Got up here early from my new house to get on the water for some canoe time. The lake was a glassy plane. It was like a mirror. No other boats, no loud noises, only stillness, and silence.<br />Took my breakfast out with me and coffee out in the middle of the lake, just floating along before we opened up. A pretty good way to start my day on the water.<br /><br /></span></b></i>The rains kept coming in June for two Sundays in a row. At first, the rains came down gently on the boathouse roof, before turning into a steady drumbeating downpour. As the deluge continued, water poured into the lake from all sides. Water flushed down the hill behind the boathouse. The soothing sound of millions of raindrops splashing into the lake filled the air. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj7uGVBO83EmAutL7tSy-pKN7ySkrNXVFoVF-_LhHpbnvZgKXGdDrJFYo4McQsaB3a_7mjLBZNLXvH3TvmrJfhMpHytQJDGkwcdoyQOBy5oDa7nDJ8KJM8ActLi-jMhhKnNGnX2x4_Ne20KVHXyE0-73LobOvgH_7Oddv27CQOoKu4SW6YTKr-d3OtA/s4032/more%20rain.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj7uGVBO83EmAutL7tSy-pKN7ySkrNXVFoVF-_LhHpbnvZgKXGdDrJFYo4McQsaB3a_7mjLBZNLXvH3TvmrJfhMpHytQJDGkwcdoyQOBy5oDa7nDJ8KJM8ActLi-jMhhKnNGnX2x4_Ne20KVHXyE0-73LobOvgH_7Oddv27CQOoKu4SW6YTKr-d3OtA/s320/more%20rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"How much good the rain would do, how fresh the water in every stream, how flowers would pop with the sun, the Linnaea, the anemones, the dogwood and everything else along the trails," wrote Sigurd Olson, while witnessing a similar spring rain. "The ferns on the rocks would begin to grow again, and the silvery caribou moss would be soft and resilient with just a tinge of green." <br />While the rain certainly took away any fire threat. But dampened the kayak rentals for the day. Only the hardiest of paddlers show up to paddle in the rain. So, after shutting down, I went out to kayak in the storm. The rain beat down on my face. The wind created swells across the water lake. An adventure for sure. Why not? Paddling in the rain can be a rejuvenating experience. <br /><br /><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><i>Friday, June 3...Very still and quiet morning. Bully the Bullfrog is making the only racket with croak, croak, croak.</i></b></span><br /><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Saturday, June 4...Rain on the windshield and sprinkles on the lake to start off the morning here at Sly. The weather hasn't been too kind to us starting this season. Calm winds, mostly, out of the east, which is a nice change.</span></b></i><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5olQqaTGH_-auRdZ33MUaglVVRi6SibDKjWM6SfLE0rdu9WoMs5rWEjlhjvSYkCSCb6ibXkHLVhV_qd1oyyTNamDDKc9cmf0BphPM23_P6HrmfWg5q7Lk3GD04iGaIsZfavg7Lsbvh3qzBK1tAkoVBWBJUWBhs55eyb_-jDTNf5hMjaEJbqpsSVeRnw/s4032/Slyb%20Paret%201%20e.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5olQqaTGH_-auRdZ33MUaglVVRi6SibDKjWM6SfLE0rdu9WoMs5rWEjlhjvSYkCSCb6ibXkHLVhV_qd1oyyTNamDDKc9cmf0BphPM23_P6HrmfWg5q7Lk3GD04iGaIsZfavg7Lsbvh3qzBK1tAkoVBWBJUWBhs55eyb_-jDTNf5hMjaEJbqpsSVeRnw/w400-h225/Slyb%20Paret%201%20e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, June 5...The day started with light sprinkles and turned into a real soaker at the boathouse. No idea if anyone will show up. It's pretty soggy out there. Even the fishermen are heading back in. On the bright side, there is no fire threat today, and the lake needs as much water as it can get.<br />By midday, it rained and rained and continued to rain. I had to dump out the canoes because they make for giant rain gauges.<br /></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">June 10...I got a lot of minnows under the dock today. They swim less than a foot below the surface of the water. I don't remember ever seeing this many before. They swim underneath as the one bigger bass lurks even further below. It's not Roger, he much bigger. I have seen him a couple of times so far this year.</span></i></b><br /><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><b>My other company this year is like always, the Candian Geese that don't migrate, and of course, there are plenty of ducks with their little brews swimming behind in a line. I haven't seen the eagles much this season. One did zoom by last week in the rainstorm, but so far, they haven't been hanging around this side of the lake much this year. I would love to see them up here on this side of the lake.</b></i></span><br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Saturday, June 11...I paddled out to the narrows and back down to Sly Park Creek just to hear its rumble. Then, I went back to the boathouse, where I watched a guy fishing roll his kayak. The fish, I'm sure, were laughing.</span></i></b></div><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><i> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXriLqNfdB_vjjfkzbNgj9dPWZIagcndcj9ID_KzaNvhJW97xsSWoGPvzWel1slE07Tar5LA2r6rprlPlLNXtg3vMWzJ99eJGjgZbU3HtnQE0vC50vw5g4L1WQHIBatn3eC21PGBR9gtKcBZoVKMq7Z1NWVzZcNA9GCV5vLvjJJm_HCAhdQwHDMD-jVA/s4032/Rain%20at%20sly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXriLqNfdB_vjjfkzbNgj9dPWZIagcndcj9ID_KzaNvhJW97xsSWoGPvzWel1slE07Tar5LA2r6rprlPlLNXtg3vMWzJ99eJGjgZbU3HtnQE0vC50vw5g4L1WQHIBatn3eC21PGBR9gtKcBZoVKMq7Z1NWVzZcNA9GCV5vLvjJJm_HCAhdQwHDMD-jVA/w640-h360/Rain%20at%20sly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></i></b></span><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, June 12...Another rainy day at the boathouse. It looks like another soaker. It's welcome. But not good for the kayaking business. We need timely rains Monday through Thursday and bright skies all week. <br />I watched it fall from inside the boathouse. Only one reservation showed up, and I don't know why, but they paddled out into the storm on the lake and came back thrilled to be part of it. <br />When it was my turn out on the lake, it was still stormy and breezy. The rain pelted my face and waves broke over my bow, and the wind pushed me around. But I loved it. It was an exciting feeling to take on the storm. I was dressed for it, which always makes the biggest difference. I laughed at the rain.<br /></span></b></i><br />From Father's Day to the Fourth of July brought in the summertime weather I was used to having on the lake. It brought a steady stream of paddlers to the boathouse. With an increase in business, I even got a few helpers from The River Store to help me on the dock. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsNsbe0nZWAxh1F3LMDMHV7nxLmGFcjmdoJ0DlHzBYzqO3CWDxshD4F-u9PdSR5UQKuOj-DwAOg8hlPAsPJj8IhdJKYLhPZ1Tf5OqsQjjhCI-DTXqIDvHU90IbllVn00ljjVpRKufQP9AALYfrTR4ykJjYqbdCsukV-YJ3rs_dLxIRnfrHL5QYItULw/s4032/Sly%20Part%20kk.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsNsbe0nZWAxh1F3LMDMHV7nxLmGFcjmdoJ0DlHzBYzqO3CWDxshD4F-u9PdSR5UQKuOj-DwAOg8hlPAsPJj8IhdJKYLhPZ1Tf5OqsQjjhCI-DTXqIDvHU90IbllVn00ljjVpRKufQP9AALYfrTR4ykJjYqbdCsukV-YJ3rs_dLxIRnfrHL5QYItULw/s320/Sly%20Part%20kk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Safety is always our biggest concern. Yet every year, we have a few mishaps on the water. Some untimely dunking due to some paddling errors. What do you call people who stand up in a canoe? Why swimmers, of course. It doesn't happen very often. The crazy thing about it is they come back to the dock wet, sunburned, exhausted, and all smiles. No doubt about paddling is a fun way to spend the day.<br />I liked coming in early and leaving late to get my own time on the water. Because any time in a canoe is a good time. The morning might start with a swim and then some coffee on the dock.<br />My evenings would end with a kayak paddle around the lake. I would go to the far west end to see the mountains over the trees. I always wish I had that view. Then back to the quiet of the upper part of the lake. Most would consider paddling the lake after spending the day renting kayaks a little exhausting, but I can think of any other way to end my day.<br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, June 19...Father's Day. It's a bright beautiful day on the water. It's the first time in two weeks that it has not been raining or storming.</span></i></b></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh81eF778_a7pB6_fnmv8_hfBIVIGvyR4zptYpx6_P5CwZzbMY8lemOfXYVDqxYb5PLVnYX8joJzVYYrPtJtIU7MJzVuuX5rhoLRJTd5obrvSHLbl3flZ9PLAyJFJjJQfCDgESUqUE0hBcoMB10pG53JNDCWlziFMhk34Bm-e1ohFJhdEJQztD3GSFCw/s4032/Sly%20Part%20j.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh81eF778_a7pB6_fnmv8_hfBIVIGvyR4zptYpx6_P5CwZzbMY8lemOfXYVDqxYb5PLVnYX8joJzVYYrPtJtIU7MJzVuuX5rhoLRJTd5obrvSHLbl3flZ9PLAyJFJjJQfCDgESUqUE0hBcoMB10pG53JNDCWlziFMhk34Bm-e1ohFJhdEJQztD3GSFCw/w400-h225/Sly%20Part%20j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Saturday, June 24...Clear skies mean a busy day at the boathouse. Catherine came again up from The River Store today to help me out. She is a nice older gal who is set on helping out.<br /></span></i></b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><b>We had an exciting Friday yesterday when a bunch of guys spilled their canoe right in front of the dock. I had to jump in and pull it to shore, along with telling the guys to swim to our ladder. They were all laughing and were in good spirits about the whole ordeal. But I think, they were pretty bummed about losing a computer and camera to water damage. Who brings those things on a canoe? I felt a bit sorry for them and tossed in a free kayak rental because they were such good sports about it all.<br />The rest of that day was pretty relaxing. I took Catherine on a canoe ride up to Sly Park Creek and the falls, which is a favorite of mine. She had never been there before, so it was a nice treat for her and a good way to end the day.</b></i></span><br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sunday, June 25...The lake is very swimmable now. The water feels good and refreshing. The lake traffic picked up today because with being so hot. The most popular craft on the water is the SUP at least that is what my reservations are made up of.</span></i></b></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaqIvXHtzHImOzjNlW4gXMtE_TYnhXxePVEoRYRkFI0p0prIDXaZvpi6WoM97pDK5_nI3eqv0qExs9eSbiuKGS-Wa9vFPi8YXWm1fTHS_xa4hgFRFxlJld_xYf9yKlClWScnxDOsoJKj1Zd3BuwGPifWdj7foYekBN6yRHuFyxptvhyR_KbX1-MexiA/s4032/Sly%20part%201%20d.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaqIvXHtzHImOzjNlW4gXMtE_TYnhXxePVEoRYRkFI0p0prIDXaZvpi6WoM97pDK5_nI3eqv0qExs9eSbiuKGS-Wa9vFPi8YXWm1fTHS_xa4hgFRFxlJld_xYf9yKlClWScnxDOsoJKj1Zd3BuwGPifWdj7foYekBN6yRHuFyxptvhyR_KbX1-MexiA/s320/Sly%20part%201%20d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><b>Friday, July 1...A nice and very hot day. Perfect for a day at the lake. It was such a good day. We welcomed two River Store and Catherine for the day. It's a training day. We will be opening up a boathouse on Lake Natoma soon. I'm sure these guys might be a part of that. <br />They were all good workers today. We had a steady line of business. Tomorrow will be very busy.<br />Another issue was our dock kept blowing out of place. The Ranger's patrol boat had to help put it back in place the first time. Next time I had to jump in and push it back in place. It is going to be an ongoing struggle all season for me and the rangers to keep the darn thing in place.</b></i></span><br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Monday, July 4...Independence Day. The lake is dropping on this holiday weekend. That is how it seems to be in Californian in these times of drought. The bathtub ring of the lake between the trees, and the water is getting larger by the week. The rangers say they hope it stays around 80% all season which certainly would be better than last year. It was a bit of a slow afternoon. It seemed everyone wanted to go home and see fireworks.</span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gw2sb-AX-zBCmSsv5ugSg9KAZuJAx23z8hDUEtpSN4V9aon62V1D2u2LQ4SCSlarToQJx4onte2ERAvPRz2rWY0bvD_duxFL9dzwir-CWt1H-I8F7nwaJ7UNGeQyyzyIDn38VMyzpWzMnBeIpv7fe9O8Eni5ggNY0iRUvT-ilD_-Pr_T4tMeYKK_wA/s4032/More%20Sly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gw2sb-AX-zBCmSsv5ugSg9KAZuJAx23z8hDUEtpSN4V9aon62V1D2u2LQ4SCSlarToQJx4onte2ERAvPRz2rWY0bvD_duxFL9dzwir-CWt1H-I8F7nwaJ7UNGeQyyzyIDn38VMyzpWzMnBeIpv7fe9O8Eni5ggNY0iRUvT-ilD_-Pr_T4tMeYKK_wA/w640-h360/More%20Sly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></b></span><br />There was still plenty of summertime left after the Fourth of July. In the summer heat, Lake Jenkinson was a perfect escape for those looking for some good clean fun with or without reservations.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">If you want to go on a canoe or kayak trip at Sly Park contact:<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">PHONE: 530-333-9115 or Toll-Free: 888-452-9254<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">FAX: 530-333-1291<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">USPS: Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, CA 95651<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">info@currentadventures.com<br /></a></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">owner Dan Crandall <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">dan@kayaking.com<br /></a></span> </h4><div><h3><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-47528155773678954342022-09-09T07:18:00.000-07:002022-09-09T07:18:56.157-07:00A WEEK IN THE SIERRA PART II<div><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hy0Rg11pGN-kgPySUzKLGBviQSNcgm4nWkvuij6rfCugq8FjazQ3DW8BxrmkvE8byPmFrVmG70VYjBD_OdROWphMwylvasKKiW7ctGqZ_XDaj88wGBIscxx9LhYGCr_QKg7E4lLNfwwOLyKEebDkhgd2oDYHmYdUyluMP-BDIN0wCJG_SfdmtQimDQ/s4032/Loon%20Part%202%20Lead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hy0Rg11pGN-kgPySUzKLGBviQSNcgm4nWkvuij6rfCugq8FjazQ3DW8BxrmkvE8byPmFrVmG70VYjBD_OdROWphMwylvasKKiW7ctGqZ_XDaj88wGBIscxx9LhYGCr_QKg7E4lLNfwwOLyKEebDkhgd2oDYHmYdUyluMP-BDIN0wCJG_SfdmtQimDQ/w640-h360/Loon%20Part%202%20Lead.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></i></b></div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">By far the greatest of all these ranges is the Sierra Nevada, a long and massive uplift lying between the arid deserts of the Great Basin and the Californian exuberance of grain-field and orchard; its eastern slope, a defiant wall of rock plunging abruptly down to the plain; the western, a long, grand sweep. Well-watered and overgrown with cool, stately forests; its crest a line of sharp, snowy peaks springing into the sky and catching the alpenglow long after the sun has set for all the rest of America. --- Clarence King</span></i></b><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>Each morning I'd peel open my tent fly and look out over the stillness of Pleasant Lake. I was at the far end of the peninsula on a flat spot, a stone's throw from a small cove less than a hundred yards wide. It was an easy swim back and forth, that I had done the day before. On the other side, a granite white and grey wall rise out of the water. The fissures and cracks in it made it look like a high-rise apartment. Its mirrored reflection in the water doubled its size. In the shadows of the morning, the wall appeared to glow.<br />The sun hadn't peaked over the ridge of Sierra just yet. The moon was fading into the western skies. My tent inhaled the cool dawn air as I climbed out of the tangle of my sleeping bags and put on my pullover and stocking hat.<br />I had the same feeling that naturalist John Muir described best on a July day in his book My First Summer in the Sierra, "Exhilarated with the mountain air, I feel like shouting this morning with excess of wild animal joy."<br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsXjR9zcr2tP5AmT-KLhJz9sq2iNClUae0T7oyNDb6Lyz5Luy7-O31oveHsFxcSeQZvF34OL2aJQOmaPML4uHDrgB1jJlVO5WEKSx40KL180vzPkcy4aEMujycuIa0HQ4NEn1hmABMcsUhy0KAGSAwgBbYAT2Aw9J8zkeEBSCTfKas6ThSPM7NILq0Q/s4032/LOON%20PART%202%20a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsXjR9zcr2tP5AmT-KLhJz9sq2iNClUae0T7oyNDb6Lyz5Luy7-O31oveHsFxcSeQZvF34OL2aJQOmaPML4uHDrgB1jJlVO5WEKSx40KL180vzPkcy4aEMujycuIa0HQ4NEn1hmABMcsUhy0KAGSAwgBbYAT2Aw9J8zkeEBSCTfKas6ThSPM7NILq0Q/w400-h225/LOON%20PART%202%20a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddling Pleasant Lake</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>It's a bit too early for shouting. Whispers were more in order, as I zigzagged through the brush and the hardier little Sierra Junipers trees and leaping sagebrush lizards to our <a href="https://www.baysideadventuresports.com/">Bayside Adventure Sports</a> campsite. Where I found John Taylor already boiling a kettle of water. Nothing better to start the day than with a little pore over coffee. We've been bringing these faith-based groups from Bayside Adventure Sports for a week of outback camping to Loon Lake in the <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/2767998164150818439#">Crystal Basin Recreation Area</a> for five years. As Muir put it so elegantly and simply, "And into the forest, I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” Our participants always return to the flatlands, refreshed and recharged.<div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfIvX6spAiYxzbk2YNrU9k9Z1G85H5at8Rc62jDbMOugPSUCHUqEH1im2xBlljJFqr67H0rKRP6Qq8NMRNo26-YE0nNyWG-I-2O732wF1I7gK9dUD_O_MOCBkzgaFpep9h8QkQtuBeGlkRLKe1zuDnn4RvCPpAaiXZFMkfe82lTUCyOwre1iglOTfJQ/s4160/Loon%20Erin.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfIvX6spAiYxzbk2YNrU9k9Z1G85H5at8Rc62jDbMOugPSUCHUqEH1im2xBlljJFqr67H0rKRP6Qq8NMRNo26-YE0nNyWG-I-2O732wF1I7gK9dUD_O_MOCBkzgaFpep9h8QkQtuBeGlkRLKe1zuDnn4RvCPpAaiXZFMkfe82lTUCyOwre1iglOTfJQ/w400-h300/Loon%20Erin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddling along the granite shore of the lake</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Throughout the week, during morning and sunset paddles on the upper part of Pleasant Lake, we'd explore the narrow coves, bays, and polished granite formations. Paddling here, one can see the mountains' history, through the stories left behind in the rock.<br /><br />When Padre Pedro Font named the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1776, they had already been around for a long, long time. The ice- and snow-covered sharp saw-bladed peaks, the Spanish padre, saw had begun forming under the ocean about 100 million years ago. Beneath the surface of the earth, the granitic rocks formed from molten rock that gradually solidified. Powerful geological forces then gradually forced the landmass up under the waters of the Pacific Ocean and below an advancing North American continent. As a result, plumes of plutonic rock were pushed up towards the surface, and sheets of lava poured down the slopes of volcanic chimneys rising to the surface.</div><div> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomfvEMqw23pA93AOa6CnL-KdMMM0O17Hs9HcwwqL6tsPahcp-63NjLf8b4H9FHEWVM73W4PCflBZMFtOfezpW6KSpO33LS7LBlLY9dHwlgPQ8KliOJPWVZX-zsg1dvIbA6oL_b6y9BNegEoi2-IZS_P1Y8_6CurNYBgmWMRhC_zJo-_VMqD_sTU4QmA/s4032/Loon%20Rocks.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomfvEMqw23pA93AOa6CnL-KdMMM0O17Hs9HcwwqL6tsPahcp-63NjLf8b4H9FHEWVM73W4PCflBZMFtOfezpW6KSpO33LS7LBlLY9dHwlgPQ8KliOJPWVZX-zsg1dvIbA6oL_b6y9BNegEoi2-IZS_P1Y8_6CurNYBgmWMRhC_zJo-_VMqD_sTU4QmA/w400-h225/Loon%20Rocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Exploring the many coves of the lake</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>About 50 million later, the volcanoes were extinct. The erosive agents like wind, rain, and frost ate away the softer sediments exposing the salt-and-pepper speckled Granitic rocks containing minerals including quartz, feldspars, and micas.<br /><br />As the world grew colder, beginning about 2 or 3 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada mountains were coated with an extensive thick mantle of ice. It covered much of the higher altitudes and sent massive ice-crawling glaciers down its valleys. The glacial ice quarried loosed and transported vast volumes of rubble along the way, scouring and transforming the landscape that we see today.<br /><br />Paddling by the polish white granite boulders, it's easy to see the evidence of the path of the last glacier. Deep grooves are carved into the rock, and erratic and huge slabs of rock are left behind and out of place in a natural balancing act. To our delight, flat smooth polished boulders at the water's edge are perfect for sunbathing and drying off on a hot day after jumping into the cool lake. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5ySGpxCech_lHpBlXyAI41FFM0ehwbAmxspWYEEIUvW76Mt_5OhwvvOxUmjTU2op7VYv-C5h1_Re-Gki_vcBktenLhWMJ9PsyMZsfqvX435G7mK2e4pIRfGSh7YGLnvoDd3ajqnNzMeIT7Q95TVFF2EXEiwHMDgx2giFofwsqGeLjDuoqQPWQ3D5uw/s4032/Loon%20MNT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="4032" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5ySGpxCech_lHpBlXyAI41FFM0ehwbAmxspWYEEIUvW76Mt_5OhwvvOxUmjTU2op7VYv-C5h1_Re-Gki_vcBktenLhWMJ9PsyMZsfqvX435G7mK2e4pIRfGSh7YGLnvoDd3ajqnNzMeIT7Q95TVFF2EXEiwHMDgx2giFofwsqGeLjDuoqQPWQ3D5uw/w640-h314/Loon%20MNT.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">At sunset the mountains of the Sierra glow red </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Only the bravest trees succeed in the summit crags along the lake, despite struggling against the wind and snow. We see the Sierra junipers growing on tops and ridges and in the splits between the glacier pavements of granite. Muir called them a sturdy highlander, "Seemingly content to live for more than a score of centuries on sunshine and snow...Surely the most enduring of all the tree mountaineers, it never seems to die a natural death." <br />Nestled in these trees and granite walls of the Sierra are these man-made reservoirs like Loon Lake and Pleasant Lake. After years of construction, they are part of the mountain landscape. These once meadows, canyons, and riverbeds are now glimmering lakes ready to explore and make part of a new history. <br /><br />On our evening trek around the lake, we were able to paddle into a picturesque pond filled with blooming water lilies protected by steep walls on all three sides. It was only because the water level was still higher than normal this time of year that we were able to see the beautiful yellow flowers in all their glory in our kayaks.</div><div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaNlWBhvjHBYEMlYekRbLZOC8-6Y8lHmjkTgo00Ba4NVoViT-9OhkjlGBVYJkmRPIMl9gV-wShqV-7Hkd2TaSSIgPdv9oX5AublqyYvD0-BIKhTqmNKSZ0Obeu698_i9eh6MujPRf6uucmQWjFhL5gltvssTtE4xauBqkBWI81N2msq719n9gltw5Ow/s3830/Loon%20Flower.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="3830" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaNlWBhvjHBYEMlYekRbLZOC8-6Y8lHmjkTgo00Ba4NVoViT-9OhkjlGBVYJkmRPIMl9gV-wShqV-7Hkd2TaSSIgPdv9oX5AublqyYvD0-BIKhTqmNKSZ0Obeu698_i9eh6MujPRf6uucmQWjFhL5gltvssTtE4xauBqkBWI81N2msq719n9gltw5Ow/w400-h300/Loon%20Flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">A hidden coves reveals blooming water lilies</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>We paddled back to our camp in the twilight. The sky was ablaze with brilliant golden skies and orange-tinted mountains.<br />Back at camp, we lay on our backs staring up at the star-filled sky just as Muir did over a century ago. "How hard to realize that every camp of men or beast has this glorious starry firmament for a roof! In such places standing alone on the mountain-top, it is easy to realize that whatever special nests we make leaves and moss-like the marmots and birds, or tents or piled stone," wrote Muir, " " We all dwell in a house of one room – the world with the firmament for its roof and are sailing the celestial spaces without leaving any track.”<br /><br />At 6,378 feet, we had no trouble seeing the heavens. We were dazzled by the Starlink satellites, a moving train of bright dots traveling across the sky. Blown away by an amazing streaking meteor that burned across the sky, from horizon to horizon, and later overwhelmed by the full moon rising over the silhouetted mountain top. In my tent, I looked over the lake as moonbeams glimmered off the still water before pulling down the fly. In the distant coyotes howling at the moon, I'm sure, with pure wild animal joy.<div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zw1pWssx7hoYSyqIzcgGr-x5PNWeJhI02wy4rXHA9LvA_XxH7d_UTafBMLeZlR0d0bWF3-Kl9iP8fBusU9Y_2XshVd_UEkSI-I8PwnUOMMfnTv0TVdoanr9hDb3eIYTOZZu-PzNiXaRG_nhnvuJJAgmGrmtyCqudoNo5KMrzKpz2STJp6lKIOy_DFA/s4032/Loon%20Part%202%20e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zw1pWssx7hoYSyqIzcgGr-x5PNWeJhI02wy4rXHA9LvA_XxH7d_UTafBMLeZlR0d0bWF3-Kl9iP8fBusU9Y_2XshVd_UEkSI-I8PwnUOMMfnTv0TVdoanr9hDb3eIYTOZZu-PzNiXaRG_nhnvuJJAgmGrmtyCqudoNo5KMrzKpz2STJp6lKIOy_DFA/w640-h360/Loon%20Part%202%20e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">A beautiful sunset ends the day on Pleasant Lake</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-27679981641508184392022-09-02T06:50:00.001-07:002022-09-02T06:50:39.750-07:00A WEEK IN THE SIERRA PART I<p><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKUCl2ml6E8T7G3Kuy0fO6av5hh_vslTirvnIC-wHqWzieqn44rpndlBrXCH31kj_fPE4DQYgwORx6gQkrCmT5glcxR3CBgKJACT6XtG_ylIWv7DRfo10N_NBqj4X0Xo9hRbpH5EqT-fYR9NsenGzvvHgdWPvlhMeYVWaWH1tc6mO2LDYzGImXxR43w/s4032/Loon%20LEAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKUCl2ml6E8T7G3Kuy0fO6av5hh_vslTirvnIC-wHqWzieqn44rpndlBrXCH31kj_fPE4DQYgwORx6gQkrCmT5glcxR3CBgKJACT6XtG_ylIWv7DRfo10N_NBqj4X0Xo9hRbpH5EqT-fYR9NsenGzvvHgdWPvlhMeYVWaWH1tc6mO2LDYzGImXxR43w/w640-h360/Loon%20LEAD.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><p><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>I should be content forever. Bathed in such beauty, watching the expressions ever varying on the faces of the mountains, watching the stars, which here have a glory that the lowlander never dreams of, watching the circling seasons, listening to the songs of the water and winds and birds, would be endless pleasure. John Muir</b></span></i></p></b></span></i><p></p>In 1868 a 30-year-old student of geology and botany with a deep affection for the natural world around him inspired by the likes of Emerson and Thoreau wandered into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He wasn't the first by far. Native Americans, explorers, and fortune hunters had been traveling throughout the narrow range in California's mountains for centuries. He would spend much of the next ten years exploring those mountains. He recorded his thoughts on his beloved mountains in journals publishing nearly 100 essays and articles for newspapers and magazines. His passion for the wilderness would inspire the creation of Yosemite National Park, found the Sierra Club, and set off a worldwide environmental movement that continues to this day. <div><br /><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjB-El6_eQRVlT3EYDboHwZ8UZufK1hJ-1l2HYQ4Awgw9DLK9XZsHli8bIPOUiUmE_kM0_-k_BMhpYvjkFt0QCrpT2TEDnVtKWpY5Xkx5sEbZcU8TogxgUP3PrdgMCojWUslUSrgfbsyQKzsOuNbW7GRRKbvxxqZ1NA59Kbo4ic54Tc3tHW1BYFRmaQ/s4160/Loon%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjB-El6_eQRVlT3EYDboHwZ8UZufK1hJ-1l2HYQ4Awgw9DLK9XZsHli8bIPOUiUmE_kM0_-k_BMhpYvjkFt0QCrpT2TEDnVtKWpY5Xkx5sEbZcU8TogxgUP3PrdgMCojWUslUSrgfbsyQKzsOuNbW7GRRKbvxxqZ1NA59Kbo4ic54Tc3tHW1BYFRmaQ/w400-h300/Loon%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Getting ready to paddle Loon Lake</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div> John Muir is one of California’s most important historical personalities. The famous naturalist is synonymous with Sierra Nevada Mountains. Trails, wilderness areas, schools, parks, roads, and monuments, bare his name. A prolific writer, Muir's words describing still echo from the mountain tops,<br />"The Mountains are calling, and I must go," is one of his most famous quotes. It's a powerful call that many can relate to. It's the simple notion of the need to be outside, away from the confines of the world, enjoying the calm and splendor of nature.<br /><br />At least, that is what I had in mind when I brought groups from Bayside Adventure Sports up for a week of outback camping to Loon Lake in the <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/2767998164150818439#">Crystal Basin Recreation Area</a>. The mountains are calling. But throw in high a Sierra pristine blue lake, textured granite shores, starry nights, and awe-inspiring views, it's a perfect venue for kayak camping, offering a Muir-like setting for solitude and tranquility.<br />Sitting about 100 feet higher than Lake Tahoe at 6,378 feet, Loon Lake is nestled on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Eldorado National Forest. It's not as large as Lake Tahoe, covering some 600 acres, and is about 5 miles long from end to end. Before the dam blocking Gerle Creek was completed back in the 1960s, a narrow ridge at the bend separated Loon Lake from its sister Pleasant Lake but the one now in the shape of an upside-down boot. The lake can easily be paddled in a day. It's even better for an extended along the lake shore camping trip.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFPhqhTJ2Pj4JmM8BXRCy9316StYGfxBGraZub9pF3Stafli71SWrWbhs6kJXWU2wOtWwlVdwjTUFI-nr5NrwpIIg-zIUQwUl9Knh3lJUHaftMeNZqzJ24ZAInSuq7LR1X83ygFT9BG-sQ732ArQ1-HQSc-IlJ6arW57G8NzogGsBD_XqCsZLDF3UEQ/s4160/Loon%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFPhqhTJ2Pj4JmM8BXRCy9316StYGfxBGraZub9pF3Stafli71SWrWbhs6kJXWU2wOtWwlVdwjTUFI-nr5NrwpIIg-zIUQwUl9Knh3lJUHaftMeNZqzJ24ZAInSuq7LR1X83ygFT9BG-sQ732ArQ1-HQSc-IlJ6arW57G8NzogGsBD_XqCsZLDF3UEQ/w640-h480/Loon%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Rounding the elbow of the two lakes</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Just getting here has been a bit challenging. But we're in a wild place now. I reminded the people coming with me to put their phones on airplane mode while loading up at the south access. They wouldn't be finding any bars on their phone anywhere. There are no amenities at all. The nearest store is about 20 miles away. One would have to go further to find any gas or services. When you come to Loon Lake, it's because, you really want to be here and escape everything else. <br /><br />It was still early in the day. Gentle swells bounded over the lake when we all got on the water. It's common in the afternoon for the fetch to pick up with southwesterly winds creating tiring and dicey waves at the far east end of the lake. Going out is great with the wind at one's back. Coming back, however, can be challenging in the wind-prone choppy waters.<div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6pwbHkQC05s51XEOGznmyuMioXWJNracVEPl0BdsEZQemNjErpqOF03bTvJLQkdsOLvhY7KaKmFafrUT8HOeiql56C4oG3HSNKYORqTFZ1mByyByKZFPMOMXXPAoY88xF5srSp9nMPlGSJtERViUAOQWIYeScckkhOgkGZVMwxTND4wt-3ORC2XhiA/s4160/Loon%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6pwbHkQC05s51XEOGznmyuMioXWJNracVEPl0BdsEZQemNjErpqOF03bTvJLQkdsOLvhY7KaKmFafrUT8HOeiql56C4oG3HSNKYORqTFZ1mByyByKZFPMOMXXPAoY88xF5srSp9nMPlGSJtERViUAOQWIYeScckkhOgkGZVMwxTND4wt-3ORC2XhiA/w320-h240/Loon%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>John Taylor and a loaded canoe</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Aiming for the far mountains to the east, I point out Brown Mountain south of the lake to my group of paddlers. I told them that when I first started coming there with Current Adventures, it always had snow on its top. I could remember feeling excited about being able to kayak with snowcapped mountains in view in August. However, in the last couple of years, the snow is no more. Drought and heat have made it tough on the year around the beauty of the mountains. Scientists warn someday, there might not be any snow in the Sierra as things warm up. <br /><br />An early advocate for the preservation of wilderness, Muir did his best to hold off reckless exploitation of our natural resources by loggers, miners, am builders. He referred to the wilderness as "places for rest, inspiration, and prayers." He never had to think about global warming and climatic change back. Back then, the world was setting the stage for global warming as industrial nations were just beginning to ramp up the use of fossil fuels at the expense of our atmosphere. It's people now like Greta Thunberg who taking up Muir's fight not just for the wilderness but for the future of the planet.<br /><br />The lake is really high this year. So high we would be able to get into coves and bays, I've never been able to explore by kayak. Usually, they are high and dry this time of year. We paddle toward the Buck Island Lake Tunnel, a four-mile underground aqueduct starting at Lake Buck Horn and ending at Loon Lake. It's part of the Upper American River Project bringing water and hydroelectric power to the valley. <br /><br />It's a massive tunnel that I've seen at all stages of the lake's levels. I've paddled in it before using a headlamp for light to guide myself along the cavernous way. One extremely dry year, I climbed up to it and walked into the darkness of the tunnel big enough for a railroad locomotive. And like I said, with the lake this high, the entrance is only marked by the tunnel's warning sign, everything else is underwater.<br /><br />Finally, the wind and waves come to end after getting around the lake's elbow as we paddled into the calmer and protected Pleasant Lake section of the lake. It lives up to its name after paddling along the wind-prone Loon. The water turns placid and quiet, and time here begins to slow. <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_UCJuRqR2Y6WlqGlHEehYZ1blHLgL8CQh8hHXuv2RkjjzoAVaKKxIgdaPqLIBAwmUeVQMjTs8570jDMflsVb28fj583UlucxJ8xzUq9kSph0V2Mv_ZVyfCtAA8VExqq6wtgZ97gYAfQhoPxt2JpkvAwrX2oBbItbSjNC1XmS2SvsOVOU9_0LDg7Gcg/s4032/Loon%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_UCJuRqR2Y6WlqGlHEehYZ1blHLgL8CQh8hHXuv2RkjjzoAVaKKxIgdaPqLIBAwmUeVQMjTs8570jDMflsVb28fj583UlucxJ8xzUq9kSph0V2Mv_ZVyfCtAA8VExqq6wtgZ97gYAfQhoPxt2JpkvAwrX2oBbItbSjNC1XmS2SvsOVOU9_0LDg7Gcg/w640-h360/Loon%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Brown Mountain and Pleasant Lake</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>"Another glorious Sierra day in which one seems to be dissolved and absorbed and sent pulsing onward we know not where. Life seems neither long nor short, and we take no more heed to save time or make haste than do the trees and stars. This is true freedom." wrote Muir in My First Summer in the Sierra.<br /><br />Our camping site is in view now. A great spot adjacent to the boat-in camping sites. A cove to land our kayaks and canoes, plenty of space to set our tents, and gorgeous scenery in all directions of the lake, forests, mountains, skies, and fresh air surrounding us. <br /><br />Muir said, "Going to the mountains is going home.”<br />As we beach the boats with Muir like exhilaration, I say this will be our home for the next week. I would be looking forward to every day, if not every minute of my week in the Sierra.<br /><br /><h3><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></h3></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-91429824554695516362022-08-26T06:49:00.000-07:002022-08-26T06:49:58.719-07:00OVER THE BOW: LAKE JENKINSON<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGmw3YwQd2fAuhxRf4FsNbM5M-vzdagPX2Eym7HO6ohRgV05hxQTtH1ylTaye9Y5glcQOF2rjrEahU-O-6xvaGx7UPdVMlwxJtk0x8IIJBNzyuOGjh79Cv7Wr9hD0c7Z58Ezt7MrF-tqSuWViB_zehIn5KmlkZbWcfSJuzLxylRQqp0JRauYMwOsUvQ/s1440/sly%20drought.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1440" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGmw3YwQd2fAuhxRf4FsNbM5M-vzdagPX2Eym7HO6ohRgV05hxQTtH1ylTaye9Y5glcQOF2rjrEahU-O-6xvaGx7UPdVMlwxJtk0x8IIJBNzyuOGjh79Cv7Wr9hD0c7Z58Ezt7MrF-tqSuWViB_zehIn5KmlkZbWcfSJuzLxylRQqp0JRauYMwOsUvQ/w640-h552/sly%20drought.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>As the nation’s largest reservoir continues to dip to record low levels amid a worsening drought, Lake Mead’s receding waters are revealing a series grim of discoveries. Park rangers responded to reports of human skeletal remains uncovered at the lake's Swim Beach.</div><div>Located 20 miles east of Las Vegas, Lake Mead is formed by the Hoover Dam. The water source for millions of people, when full, it holds more water than any other reservoir in the United States. However, as the Western United States is plagued by an ongoing drought, the lake levels have fallen to historic lows.</div><div>Earlier this month, for the first time, Lake Mead was designated to operate in a Tier-2a shortage, which increased water restrictions for Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico. </div><div>As Lake Mead dries up, it's revealing some historic and often grisly discoveries. According to MSN, four human bodies have been discovered in the lake. A set of human remains was discovered in a barrel that police believe belongs to the victim of a mob-related shooting.</div><div>Local resident Steve Schafer and the owner of environmental services company Earth Resource Group, which is working to uncover the bodies, think there will be many more.</div><div>"There are a lot of bodies which have still not been found at the bottom of Lake Mead. Most are just legitimately drowning victims. But, I'm sure there are some nefarious ones out there like the news is reporting and the [body in the] barrel. I'm sure there are going to be more," Schafer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last season, Lake Jenkinson shrank to near record levels. While there were no grim uncovering's, outside the ancient tree stumps, fishing lures, and one long-lost paddle board paddle found near the boathouse of Sly Park Paddle Rentals, with each passing week, the lake's bottom became more exposed. </div><div>The lake is nestled in the El Dorado National Forest south of Pollack Pines, California. When full covers some 650 acres. Water from Jenkinson Lake is used for municipal water supply, irrigation, and recreation. And like Lake Mead, as the area develops and the population grows, municipal and commercial water has increased. So as Northern California suffers through the year of drought, the lake's water levels are severally impacted. </div><div> </div><div>One year ago, the world watched as the Caldor Fire ignited in the Sierra Nevada foothills and burned up communities and landscapes in its path all the way to the rocky crest of the mountains of the southern shores of Lake Tahoe. Little did we know that the fire would abruptly end our season at the boathouse in mid-August and shut down Sly Park Recreation for next month. Instead of boats, canoes, and paddleboards on the water, fire trucks and helicopters were filling up with Jenkinson's lake water to battle the nearby fire. </div><div><br /></div><div>By the time I was able to return in late September to sweep away the ash and remove our paddling gear for winter storage, the water level had dropped ten feet and was just above 50% of its capacity. The boathouse and the dock had sunk deep into the lake, resembling a narrow river canyon. The lake's extended shoreline looked more like the surface of Mars with its dry red rubble bathtub ring wedged in between the water and trees lining the lake. The sidewalk leading to the gangway of the dock had come to an abrupt end during the middle of our season. Now even the trail I had constructed had fallen short. </div><div>Like an unlocked time capsule, the kayaks, and canoes were undamaged right where I left them the month and a half before. The only evidence that I had away was a layer of ash coating their hulls. Inside the boathouse, more ash-covered SUPs and paddles, a stack of unused waivers, and my left-behind coffee mug, to name a few. I only could stay for a while. I swept out the ash and gathered all the paddles to take out of the boathouse till next year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last year's winter storms would yield much-needed moisture to help rebound the lake for much of our season. According to the Mountain Democrat, late spring conditions enabled the El Dorado Irrigation District to fill all its alpine reservoirs. Jenkinson Lake is 73% full, holding 29,970 acre-feet of water out of a maximum of 41,033. The lake is still receiving 14 acre-feet daily inflow from Camp Creek, and Sly Park Falls has stayed flowing much of the season.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's good news for us at Sly Park Paddle Rentals as we head into September. </div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Over the Bow is a feature from Outside Adventure to the Max, telling the story behind the image. If you have a great picture with a great story, submit it to us at nickayak@gmail.com<br />Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Instagram</a>, and now on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Youtube</a>.</span></span></h3>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-34459436526336661442022-07-29T06:38:00.000-07:002022-07-29T06:38:53.773-07:00SEASON OF THE CANOE<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUELzGDmym78K_pC5Kcutn8Aloq0IYiTre1_qWqsGPpA3tyHopTpN7Y6is5Rv1Cgfg2FkAh_0dS9Eqvg0k7RoFVH7VCQRA4HwhYdG32ZCU5CqSt2TCnW-r_dPEP_fqeaVQpivYdXhVGMFxuiubIYt-UZAkIe3-bb3YBlV1_pcQmoRSucJL3Ze3RAWTA/s1541/canoe%20bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1541" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUELzGDmym78K_pC5Kcutn8Aloq0IYiTre1_qWqsGPpA3tyHopTpN7Y6is5Rv1Cgfg2FkAh_0dS9Eqvg0k7RoFVH7VCQRA4HwhYdG32ZCU5CqSt2TCnW-r_dPEP_fqeaVQpivYdXhVGMFxuiubIYt-UZAkIe3-bb3YBlV1_pcQmoRSucJL3Ze3RAWTA/w640-h384/canoe%20bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">Canoes, too, are unobtrusive; they don't storm the natural world or ride over it, but drift in upon it as a part of its own silence. As you either care about what the land is or not, so do you like or dislike quiet things--sailboats, or rainy green mornings in foreign places, or a grazing herd, or the ruins of old monasteries in the mountains. . . . Chances for being quiet nowadays are limited. --- John Graves</span></i></b></h3><div><i><br /></i></div>It's not my first time across the lake. And it certainly isn't going to be the last time. Especially since I've been working at the kayak and canoe rental boathouse on Lake Jenkinson at Sly Park Recreation Area for the past five seasons. I'm used to it now. I remember when the lake was at bubbly high a few years and a dwindling low like last season. This year, I'm crossing my fingers in hopes the lake doesn't get any lower. But the long-running drought is doing any lake in California any favors. It has been the same for these past couple of seasons where I start with high hopes and watch as the lake shrinks in size by midsummer. <br /><br />In the middle of the upper lake, just in view of the boathouse. From here, I can paddle out and look at the whole lake. In the west are the narrows and the large bowl of the lower lake. It's where the speed boats zoom along like on a racetrack. To my east, the mouths of Hazel Creek and Sly Park Creek with an extended rust-colored shoreline pinched in between. There is no mountain view like at the far west of the lake, where one can peer out over the whole lake and, on a clear day, see the Sierra Nevada Mountain range rising over the pines. I'm a bit jealous of that view. The lake's conifer wooded shoreline and glistening waters are my vista. <br /><br />Although canoes are primarily used for transportation on lakes and streams, I'm not going anywhere as I shatter the stillness of the water's surface. I'm simply paddling for the enjoyment of paddling. Writer Jerry Dennis says that paddling makes you part of the lake, a willing participant instead of an intruder to the pastel dramas of the lake. <br /><br />"A good canoe does not merely travel across a lake or river," writes Dennis, "It glides along the interface between water and the air, making hardly a ripple in passing, and is so silent that it blends with the world."<br /> <br />Out the lake, the canoe is timeless. It's amazing how much inspiration and direction we can learn from paddling a canoe. While floating along in the stillness, my mind wanders on how the canoe has become a proverbial direction for navigating the smooth and rough waters of one's life. How often have we heard the phrase "Paddle your own canoe?" It suggests how you paddle the canoe is all very relatable to life. <br />For me, it inspires a sense of unbounded range and freedom. Like my bicycle, while growing up, it was a craft that offered me unlimited movement and exploration. For others, it can rekindle a memory of carefree days gone by. When boarding my customers at the boathouse in a canoe, I've heard them say they haven't paddled one of these since summer camp.<br />Canoeing in summer is a rite of passage. No one will schedule a canoe trip in the winter. Not that you can't. It's just not done very often. You see, canoes are meant to be kissed by the rising or setting sun when the waters swirl in gold and red. A vessel for cruising lakes and exploring bays where you can sneak quietly on birds, deer, and beaver for an unexpected encounter. A boat for finding a secluded spot for a picnic or swim where all you hear is the whispers of your paddle gliding through the water. <br /><br />The lake glistened in a golden evening glow as the setting sun silhouetted the castle of pines around me. Dipping my paddle, I inhale the view of tranquility in both its sight and sound. Across the lake, some stand-up paddle boarders, the new rage, were making their way back to the access, reminding the way the days of the canoe are fading. However, the magic summertime canoe paddle certainly, won't ever be forgotten.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">If you want to go on a canoe or kayak trip at Sly Park contact:<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">PHONE: 530-333-9115 or Toll-Free: 888-452-9254<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">FAX: 530-333-1291<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">USPS: Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, CA 95651<br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">info@currentadventures.com<br /></a></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">owner Dan Crandall <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">dan@kayaking.com</a></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span><br /></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-835371128773802022-07-14T23:07:00.000-07:002022-07-14T23:07:37.609-07:00BACK ON THE WATER: 2022 GREAT AMERICAN TRIATHLON TRAINING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rskMKuHz7iC2rNGHBjWybhiFFRVHrCH3b6pTWjyC_bL546yjK0ghd0mYx6NO_WZKRFuuWnRrHgM_1x1PuZBGpscFg5Nw0SglgKIWpTsQchxEUW8OrTvIPmmKw9Jc8bwEz6DEAjQUqr1eDQ6Ham41GE_qvD9p7hEe_LQRAGrZHvb9-URoQzqEEJOlNw/s4032/20220705_190414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rskMKuHz7iC2rNGHBjWybhiFFRVHrCH3b6pTWjyC_bL546yjK0ghd0mYx6NO_WZKRFuuWnRrHgM_1x1PuZBGpscFg5Nw0SglgKIWpTsQchxEUW8OrTvIPmmKw9Jc8bwEz6DEAjQUqr1eDQ6Ham41GE_qvD9p7hEe_LQRAGrZHvb9-URoQzqEEJOlNw/w640-h360/20220705_190414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The peaceful evening river shoreline was shattered by Dan Crandall's epic battle cry. Somewhere between the Tarzan scream and the Rebel Yell, the sound pierces the quiet and echoes throughout the valley. Moments later, the paddlers he is leading chime in with their call. Crandall tells the group in doing the cry will ease their tension and freak out the racer in front of them on the river. It will also let folks know racing is back on the American River Parkway.</div><br />The Great American Triathlon returns this weekend in Sacramento. The race, formerly known as Eppie's Great Race, will have athletes run, bike, then paddle the American River. Organizers took two years off due to the pandemic, but this Saturday, they are bringing the 40-plus -year-old tradition July race back to the parkway. The race, formerly known as Eppie's Great Race, will have athletes run, bike, then paddle the American River.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatXe8FiqNBST4MZ0HG2Usob-CtYB8BJLt8Q0y3IG_vw0tzGsrJM8CLENl6ITWuhv8e22QiU-V3vSHlFxW2MXe2a3cmMZPtnAy8xK3kwu81F0G6Ubmzi_kH5l6rRgJYhBjTPH8td012nifC552eIYaaJs2qefy47E8NVcQp_N0g_VvWAsPmrf5dIWzag/s1440/Dan%2033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1440" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatXe8FiqNBST4MZ0HG2Usob-CtYB8BJLt8Q0y3IG_vw0tzGsrJM8CLENl6ITWuhv8e22QiU-V3vSHlFxW2MXe2a3cmMZPtnAy8xK3kwu81F0G6Ubmzi_kH5l6rRgJYhBjTPH8td012nifC552eIYaaJs2qefy47E8NVcQp_N0g_VvWAsPmrf5dIWzag/s320/Dan%2033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Dan Crandall works with a paddler.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>While most triathlons have participants swim along with a bike and run, the Great American Triathlon uses kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for the water leg of the race.<br /><br />"It's definitely different. What I say is, you are on top of the water, not in the water. You can enjoy the view, talk to people while you are paddling," race director Nicole Young told KCRA-TV.<br /><br />The kayaking portion does provide a different dynamic from other triathlons with its "no swim" competition feature, and with the two years break, some racers may be a little rusty when it comes to paddling the river. <br />Like in past years, to help people get on the water, Crandall, the owner of <a href="http://currentadventures.com/">Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips</a> offered an array of training nights. During the last couple of weeks, to get the participants familiar with the river, he and his instructors have shown them the fastest and safest routes on the water to ensure success come this weekend. Over the years, Crandall and his instructors have coached over 1,000 participants to build their confidence, paddling skills, and river reading knowledge.<br /><br />"Keep those hands loose and drive your feet into the foot pegs to get your power," Crandall calls out to the boaters preparing to leave the Sunrise access, the starting point for the kayaking section of the race. Crandall reminds racers to focus on their pace and use more than just their arms to make the boat go. He encourages them to use their core for maximum power and endurance.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr5FqvGdcUJiAZLYuAgwaP6aJU58gVdXNRSk7KQtem2oAljYuMlfpd9EIr4pY5Y0R4WwAlURADy6VzDU7U7WCH_unjo2sq3dSfG0GcT_dbbc7rc8YCa5XAqk5Cqx0a9eBws8PIR0MONBVW5Fq8_ktDMlXiVz1K3cyVSoSDfJOBnrJvkL6gHuaoXIyYw/s1080/sann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1080" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr5FqvGdcUJiAZLYuAgwaP6aJU58gVdXNRSk7KQtem2oAljYuMlfpd9EIr4pY5Y0R4WwAlURADy6VzDU7U7WCH_unjo2sq3dSfG0GcT_dbbc7rc8YCa5XAqk5Cqx0a9eBws8PIR0MONBVW5Fq8_ktDMlXiVz1K3cyVSoSDfJOBnrJvkL6gHuaoXIyYw/w400-h279/sann.jpg" width="400" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>San Juan Rapids</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>The Boston Marathon has Heartbreak Hill. Great American Triathlon has <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2015/07/over-bow-lower-american-river.html">San Juan Rapids</a>. It's a rapid, where racers can lose valuable time and go from first to 31st by miscalculating the boil. During the practice sessions, the paddlers were encouraged to run the rapid a couple of times during their training sessions to familiarize themselves with its flow and circular eddy.<br /><br /> "Lean forward. It's more about finesse than muscle here," warns Crandall while approaching the rapid. "Let it push you around a bit. Just get through it, and most importantly, smile and show the river you are not afraid. If you show fear, the river will dump you for sure." <br /><br />During each of the training nights, there were more smiles than swims as the boaters navigate the troublesome rapid and paddled downriver to the finish line at River Bend Park. For some, it's their first trip down the river. For others, they are looking forward to racing again after the 2-year break.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPayhPf-n_cyL3lx0_TnakvKK-nh5deyq7UsQKN35GXIDn94UbIfgZ2Cr9_OqHIwEHtZKIhUcQ9gyXVrayNgJS58D7eginFnWcHnikp_WhdmkPAQawEeWdZrPqicYJZ2VeU2NojhnoTyAFLGAOQqiri5AkciUcGAgIoy_Yfow3H2HG6WkaQG3o_Gt5cg/s4032/hussies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPayhPf-n_cyL3lx0_TnakvKK-nh5deyq7UsQKN35GXIDn94UbIfgZ2Cr9_OqHIwEHtZKIhUcQ9gyXVrayNgJS58D7eginFnWcHnikp_WhdmkPAQawEeWdZrPqicYJZ2VeU2NojhnoTyAFLGAOQqiri5AkciUcGAgIoy_Yfow3H2HG6WkaQG3o_Gt5cg/w640-h360/hussies.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Crandall and the Iron Hussies</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> The 2nd Great American Triathlon is sponsored by Innovations Health Systems, a Citrus Heights-based healthcare holding company and managed by Capital Road Race Management. This year’s triathlon is once again raising funds to support the American River Parkway Foundation and local children’s charities.</div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">PHONE: 530-333-9115 or Toll-Free: 888-452-9254<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">FAX: 530-333-1291<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">USPS: Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, CA 95651</span></b></h3><div><h3><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="#">info@currentadventures.com<br /></a></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">owner Dan Crandall <a href="#">dan@kayaking.com</a></span></b></h3><div><b><br /></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-17877321073508688592022-05-27T06:28:00.000-07:002022-05-27T06:28:08.687-07:00PADDLE UP: SUMMER 2022 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XNfIGXlvCVsBhe8zOQiljpdOmbqzggsxnii6GtVwx0GN8lHmX1Se9x5bx2e-1NANomucQnQM3p8uwc0jQ-Sv982Hi-JU_NWAi4CrfUn1fR0ihNgW-Jb-MVdVUB56YEtFlInePaSA0Ped/s4160/SLY+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XNfIGXlvCVsBhe8zOQiljpdOmbqzggsxnii6GtVwx0GN8lHmX1Se9x5bx2e-1NANomucQnQM3p8uwc0jQ-Sv982Hi-JU_NWAi4CrfUn1fR0ihNgW-Jb-MVdVUB56YEtFlInePaSA0Ped/w640-h480/SLY+.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div>For paddlers, Cyril Derreumaux and Madison Eklund, the summer of 2022; will be one to remember. Both will be taking epic kayaking trips. One is going across the Pacific, the other across Minnesota and through the heart of Canada. And they are both doing it alone. <br />French-born U.S. citizen Derreumaux will be leaving next month in his second attempt to paddle to Hawaii from the coast of California some 2,750 miles aboard a 23-foot-long custom carbon fiber kayak. While Eklund's trip has already begun as she retraces the 2,000-mile journey Eric Sevareid made famous in his classic <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/1787732107350868859#">Canoeing with the Cree</a>. <br />In 2012 Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho matched it. Warren recounted their story in her book, <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/1787732107350868859#">Hudson Bay Bound: Two Women, One Dog, Two Thousand Miles to the Arctic.</a></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xsgMI0qj1cUkuR7MvSLHFG1ForsdTzgZlFx8JjI17kUiOJZCo65vUnZk4YFcgKhzly8RP8px0EFXvblML3Fvx_FnGhCnGtMUYIzP4Z86zPGjtw0Gw2xIlsESIj2OoBNNLElIUDmwEkX7OLOa1HyLbHwmE364NoWW7Dt_yVynJ9ZR08HFWFaCfole4w/s1440/281229304_1451856205261272_5520969423530441754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xsgMI0qj1cUkuR7MvSLHFG1ForsdTzgZlFx8JjI17kUiOJZCo65vUnZk4YFcgKhzly8RP8px0EFXvblML3Fvx_FnGhCnGtMUYIzP4Z86zPGjtw0Gw2xIlsESIj2OoBNNLElIUDmwEkX7OLOa1HyLbHwmE364NoWW7Dt_yVynJ9ZR08HFWFaCfole4w/s320/281229304_1451856205261272_5520969423530441754_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Madison Eklund</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Eklund will brave raging currents, strong wind and waves, and maybe polar bears. And she will do it all alone. <br />“It seems like it would be a really fun adventure,” Eklund told the Grand Forks Herald, "The danger there is lightning and the rough waves and being wind locked where the wind is so aggressive where you can’t paddle fast enough,” <br /><br />Good luck to you both. Sure, many of us will follow their adventures on social media. But while epic trips might not be part of our summertime plans, a lot of us hope to spend some time on the water with a paddle in our hands. Here are 22 paddling ways to help make summer 2022 an epic paddle adventure.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle A City Skyline</span></b><br />Once on the water, many cities, from New York to San Francisco, offer incredible views of their skylines. Sure, you won't feel that get off the grid feeling but paddling through waters surrounded by skyscrapers is a unique experience just the same.</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps31upK-jRA6vIig1qpzX5VgIliVWLgVE-Yv4IpdcrUccFruYXN1Moy5dfpqkV6OvyWSVLImFr2o68ZDJO7GP9jiKqVXZGmx4_6yFKNSXbVYUAMK-2TMVvFF_UyLKx4-7XHVrP9xcLS1hxOGhL4F_PKyHfIg8wtROqepTZVJ3br3SCOOFqe2BvD0G7g/s4032/Paddle%20Shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps31upK-jRA6vIig1qpzX5VgIliVWLgVE-Yv4IpdcrUccFruYXN1Moy5dfpqkV6OvyWSVLImFr2o68ZDJO7GP9jiKqVXZGmx4_6yFKNSXbVYUAMK-2TMVvFF_UyLKx4-7XHVrP9xcLS1hxOGhL4F_PKyHfIg8wtROqepTZVJ3br3SCOOFqe2BvD0G7g/s320/Paddle%20Shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>The River Store</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Head to a Paddle Shop</span></b><br />They have everything we want. Kayaks, canoes and paddles, and more. Where else can you meet folks that paddle the same places you do. You might even paddle with them. By getting your gear from your local paddle shop, you're keeping your friends employed, as well as keeping up on festivals, competitions, community gatherings, and river cleanups on your waterways.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Read a Paddle Adventure</span></b><br />Whatever reason you can't get to the water, you can still be inspired by it. There are some great guidebooks and autobiographical stories to help you get your paddling fix.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Dog and Paddle</span></b><br />Kayaking with your dog can be a great adventure for both of you. Getting your pet ready for paddling will take some prep work, but it’s more than worth it, and the dog will have to.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle Without a Shuttle</span></b><br />Sometimes a shuttle isn't worth the trouble. If fish can do it, so can you. You will learn to read the river currents traveling upstream. And whenever you get tired, you can turn around and go with the flow.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZkLhVdG0gqgKg_hxaTGJcYnJj2Vs8qTlZrVJZrZBTRuqPUIopzTFSHGxAPxud6b_Di07sqmg0st7QFxZLKIkF0USU5-08DdlNUwFa8aaXzyhOe-DBQYvtXxDzHFJ6-cYHl4W449oVg6whiPQOgrUAJVLdLVHvIEiYkA5E8PStO2IoYZUQKzlgTz0YA/s4032/04%2015xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZkLhVdG0gqgKg_hxaTGJcYnJj2Vs8qTlZrVJZrZBTRuqPUIopzTFSHGxAPxud6b_Di07sqmg0st7QFxZLKIkF0USU5-08DdlNUwFa8aaXzyhOe-DBQYvtXxDzHFJ6-cYHl4W449oVg6whiPQOgrUAJVLdLVHvIEiYkA5E8PStO2IoYZUQKzlgTz0YA/w640-h360/04%2015xx.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Moonlight Paddle </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle Under Fireworks</span></b><br />Independence Day fireworks celebrations are hard to beat. They are great on land and even better from the water. Coast-to-coast cities with rivers, lakes, or even ocean bays offer some boat-friendly places for watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. And if that doesn't work for you, there's always a possibility for a full moon paddle.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle at Sunrise or Sunset</span></b><br />It's been said, the best reason to own your own kayak are sunrises and sunsets. We can only agree. The crowds are gone, and the water is still and glistening. We can't think of a better time to be on the water.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Get a New PFD for Your Paddle </span></b><br />We just float this past you. If it's old, faded, and worn, it's probably time to retire it. Experts say PFDs are made up of a variety of materials that over time can be damaged by UV rays. It might not float when you need it to, and that would sink your summer.</div><div> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0wmzH2gsG-jV_E9QTBLwtKwoRPoWQL4HQrTjJFmK7c4gYgvs2QcJCf_ffEGdSKjluYZs7lltFyS9zJEhV6ChfVHrUQF4nzTgU6Z1PDqk_rApxj91Ku0Mzp9LUSxhRsmE6z3RIXGAQbTht5Ed3xzjzhpWZw_pvE942iwib4UtGOkCybkbj-qAVZVeAA/s3877/sup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="3877" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0wmzH2gsG-jV_E9QTBLwtKwoRPoWQL4HQrTjJFmK7c4gYgvs2QcJCf_ffEGdSKjluYZs7lltFyS9zJEhV6ChfVHrUQF4nzTgU6Z1PDqk_rApxj91Ku0Mzp9LUSxhRsmE6z3RIXGAQbTht5Ed3xzjzhpWZw_pvE942iwib4UtGOkCybkbj-qAVZVeAA/s320/sup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>SUP on Lake Jenkinson </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Stand Up & Paddle </span></b><br />Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) offers something for everyone, and it's all the rage. You can head out for a relaxing paddle on a calm lake or catch waves in the ocean. Or maybe you’d like to do SUP yoga or go for a fast-paced paddle to get a workout.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle It Before You Buy It</span></b><br />You wouldn't think about buying a car without a test drive, so why would you want to do that with your kayak? Many shops have demo programs for people in the market to buy a kayak.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle with Snacks </span></b><br />Paddling trips are a lot of fun, but they can be very tiring. The last thing you want to happen is you run low on energy mid-paddle and then struggle to make it back to shore. Consider menus that are nutritious, good tasting, and easy to prepare, that are also lightweight and don't require any refrigeration.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle Whitewater </span></b><br />Don't think the adrenaline-fueled world of whitewater paddling is beyond you. It's not. After a few lessons from qualified instructors, you still won't be going over waterfalls, but you'll be paddling Class II and Class III rapids with a big smile. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBjZBnUXt9QR6ak9qQ_Xri9_z9Vx3D1sq-41ylqq621o1-K-m4yPnr1s2Q8uOqO5qPZPb7_wIgp_ApKlq13eBIIGNEa96DmanJO5IWO9wp6aci2Kq67Sj1zC4O8er4R_GcZPWxCk0uuuMGRexxMMjClQot1ykBTv4gJhuQXlAn7LrrEMa747kiacwVw/s1440/Grid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBjZBnUXt9QR6ak9qQ_Xri9_z9Vx3D1sq-41ylqq621o1-K-m4yPnr1s2Q8uOqO5qPZPb7_wIgp_ApKlq13eBIIGNEa96DmanJO5IWO9wp6aci2Kq67Sj1zC4O8er4R_GcZPWxCk0uuuMGRexxMMjClQot1ykBTv4gJhuQXlAn7LrrEMa747kiacwVw/w400-h400/Grid.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Loon Lake </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle On Overnight Trip </span></b><div>What makes kayak camping so appealing is anyone can do it. While some physically demanding canoe trips require a high level of skill, there are many kayak trips suited for the novice and first timer. Most people are looking for an authentic wilderness experience that is not over the top when it comes to being physically demanding, and kayak camping is a great fit.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle in Your Neighborhood</span></b><br />As gas prices soar, this just is the summer you might want to stick closer to home. Check out where you can paddle in your own area. As paddle sports have become more popular, many rivers and lakes now offer public access to accommodate many a paddler.<br /><br /><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Paddle Off the Grid </b></span><br />In today's world, we have become so dependent on our electronic devices and the internet. Maybe it's time to enjoy some tech-free days on the lake in the woods. Pack the boat and gear and experiences that are back to the basics, free of distractions with meaningful time with friends and family <br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle Old School in A Canoe </span></b><br />Did you know canoes are time machines? They are a way to rekindle memories of your first paddling adventures at summer camp. To activate it dip your single blade in the water and paddle forward.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle a New Paddle </span></b><br />Next to the kayak, your paddle has the biggest impact on your performance on the water. Even a short tour involves thousands of strokes, so a proper paddle can make all the difference. After all, your hands will be wrapped around this tool for the better part of the day. So, you might as well choose a great one.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnIcOSCKEKuXpRkGaAMNRCNNRv19pwCDMbcbHSyScUmINFfxt1AXCTEOhEDsWaE1qSOFnV5fh6FR614lFHG7TKr4_6-1L5HmvjIGDLtvNG0-JYZNDlhqiuyvJkWqHA43rQIZJA_FLBw0SUcyfu9egQFf3lyQpFI8ecv3Ln6gt-lRF1-nRzmpq9VQBAg/s1440/canoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1440" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnIcOSCKEKuXpRkGaAMNRCNNRv19pwCDMbcbHSyScUmINFfxt1AXCTEOhEDsWaE1qSOFnV5fh6FR614lFHG7TKr4_6-1L5HmvjIGDLtvNG0-JYZNDlhqiuyvJkWqHA43rQIZJA_FLBw0SUcyfu9egQFf3lyQpFI8ecv3Ln6gt-lRF1-nRzmpq9VQBAg/w640-h450/canoe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Canoeing on Lake Jenkinson </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Be Ready for a Paddle Rescue </span></b><br />We're all ready for a great time on the water. But learning some basic rescue skills and first aid instruction will make it more fun for you and your paddling crew and a lot safer also. <br /><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Volunteer & Paddle </span></b><br />Don't be one who says someone should do something about this. Make this the summer volunteer. Help out in river cleanup, lead a youth group canoe trip and support local and national organizations working to preserve our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. <br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle a Water Park </span></b></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxd1e-HXA-8ZYLVjuO28tQi6sGSwnxEAHl02SzPGDYXhod6svIyxKcozJoR5xUwG3UE4sby9O0wVjDuRaPQei3aIdoF3D9TQt78VkvSRUJGcbvqCDPdiFisxUIbIRWF5Woeooao89qX_qhSFjGeZ8UDFIF8AKhG1vX10BarNqDvx9DJGMLI0Pcz4gYw/s1440/falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxd1e-HXA-8ZYLVjuO28tQi6sGSwnxEAHl02SzPGDYXhod6svIyxKcozJoR5xUwG3UE4sby9O0wVjDuRaPQei3aIdoF3D9TQt78VkvSRUJGcbvqCDPdiFisxUIbIRWF5Woeooao89qX_qhSFjGeZ8UDFIF8AKhG1vX10BarNqDvx9DJGMLI0Pcz4gYw/s320/falls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Sly Park Falls</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Whitewater parks are popping up on rivers everywhere there is a paddling community to support them. Parks are seen as good revitalization projects. Whitewater parks, in particular, are part of urban development plans and dam removal efforts across the US. Parks projects are intended to offer places for paddlers to play, boost recreation-based economies, and maintain the fish habitat.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle & Leave No Trace</span></b> </div><div>The Leave No Trace rules are easy to follow. Dispose of waste properly. Leave it as you found it. Minimize and be careful with campfires. Respect wildlife. And be considerate of other visitors.</div><div><br /> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Paddle Under a Waterfall </span></b><br />Whether on water or on a hike, there is no better reward than to end your water trail in sight of a spectacular waterfall. The cascading water is beautiful and inspiring but remember to stay on the trails and watch your footing rocks can be slippery. </div><div><br /></div><div><h2><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h2></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-27931199405256934442022-05-20T06:54:00.008-07:002022-05-20T06:54:53.269-07:00HORIZON LINES <div dir="auto"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qGtas700PMF-KHwRddQo5fywcO26HIrgae0jtRFiJ92StO-swWjW527DMdSK6xZB7Cn6edfgz3ZYtcfBtiNB47KLoYMwc2aAjC5rtFC7cb0Ogc_icNGbqglV9Q1Piva-F7PtP5CguN98skU48yQj63A3pCNtkweLLMemJhrQeOrcPnTDAbohuiPNbQ/s1783/lead%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1783" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qGtas700PMF-KHwRddQo5fywcO26HIrgae0jtRFiJ92StO-swWjW527DMdSK6xZB7Cn6edfgz3ZYtcfBtiNB47KLoYMwc2aAjC5rtFC7cb0Ogc_icNGbqglV9Q1Piva-F7PtP5CguN98skU48yQj63A3pCNtkweLLMemJhrQeOrcPnTDAbohuiPNbQ/w640-h360/lead%20photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time... Abraham Lincoln</i></span></b></h3></i></span></b></h3><div dir="auto">I just love to read guidebooks and look at river maps. First of all, they give you an idea of where to go. I cannot think of how many times I paged through my well-worn copy of Paddling Northern California by Charlie Pike to get an idea of where to go and where to put in. It Describes more than 65 of the best paddling trips in Northern California, including whitewater, flat water, and coastal excursions.</div><div dir="auto">Just last year, a group I lead paddled the Sacramento River. A section of the river, we probably wouldn't have even thought of had it not been featured in the guide.</div><div dir="auto">What to expect along the way is another reason I like to study them. As the leader of the group, I like to be a bit prepared. Warn them of possibly swift water or just give a few tidbits about the natural landmark or some history of the area. Of course, when the 80-yard portage turns into a double or triples that, I can blame it on the guidebook saying the write-up said it would be short.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4m7BrRbIezFnpsfOqq-19D0a8RNNXB5jnvpVzs54VJIb-YTs7e22nOZiFggdnWteKbUgi0KWNnv3TKLF-jp-e8ZJSFkaqoIqLhiFFLXviEItbWep7pklq6qLp1_HeyUK2VHLKm3sYomWXm521UNoWKTd-WMqs88u4-L6l1G_gFuDC064BzOAC_-n7Q/s1440/river%20store.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1440" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4m7BrRbIezFnpsfOqq-19D0a8RNNXB5jnvpVzs54VJIb-YTs7e22nOZiFggdnWteKbUgi0KWNnv3TKLF-jp-e8ZJSFkaqoIqLhiFFLXviEItbWep7pklq6qLp1_HeyUK2VHLKm3sYomWXm521UNoWKTd-WMqs88u4-L6l1G_gFuDC064BzOAC_-n7Q/s320/river%20store.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">The River Store</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="auto">River maps showing the access, take outs, and especially the rapids are extremely important. In Duct Tape Diaries, NRS's official blog that celebrates the paddling lifestyle through compelling storytelling and photography, writer D.M. Collins gave an ode to river maps saying, "River maps are a small but mighty piece of gear. How do I know this? For one, they elicit confidence and a felt sense of security in my most anxiety-ridden river moments—at least for me. Holding and reading a map is one’s crude equivalent to central command in the backcountry. In a world riddled with screens and information at the tap of a button, the handheld binary paper map is both novel and understated in guiding one on their river journey."</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Where to go and what to expect when you get there. As I start off my summer, I wish I knew. It will be out of the ordinary as my wife, Debbie, and I prepare to move to Placerville, California, a smaller Sierra Nevada foothills community located east of Sacramento. The Gold Rush-era history makes up a big part of the community's identity, but the town is also a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, and adrenaline-pumping whitewater kayaking and rafting. Both the upper and lower sections of the South Fork American River offer rollicking rapids and gorgeous scenery. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y9iPlXHX0Na75zH9u3Yb0T1nlIzg_kbES2T-wMLdgfFfasBhTlbDmUdYPPKy7D-AXRpFYy0qO0HYxVFHs4d_oGi8JnY9nO0vcI7LiWjMtqj3dI3pnQ95oNxXJ3QbVQH6fOloK1nNj3vrDy_5s4oRyj5JVFDze3fDOlTEm2Eazn157ej4D-qxlzGnOA/s4032/04%2008%20xx.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y9iPlXHX0Na75zH9u3Yb0T1nlIzg_kbES2T-wMLdgfFfasBhTlbDmUdYPPKy7D-AXRpFYy0qO0HYxVFHs4d_oGi8JnY9nO0vcI7LiWjMtqj3dI3pnQ95oNxXJ3QbVQH6fOloK1nNj3vrDy_5s4oRyj5JVFDze3fDOlTEm2Eazn157ej4D-qxlzGnOA/w400-h225/04%2008%20xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>John Taylor and Debbie Carlson on Lake Natoma</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="auto">While Working for Current Adventures Kayaking School & Trips for several years, I've logged many miles to the shop in Coloma. I'll be much closer now to my jobs at Sly Park Paddle Rentals and The River Store while a bit longer to my other employment venues. It will be a trade-off.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I'm excited about this next stage of my life as I approach this river bend. Are there worries and concerns? Of course. But as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><h3><b><span style="color: orange;">Here is a look at some of our favorite images from this year so far.</span></b></h3><div><b><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Jd2Dt6KKlxsPvEs8TxmApbZTj9UtqYp9ddsaEs7BAY0YGeSgcGxT_v7tVxJ6hHppWxaVQnKrDWGMXk_l4lyoNtMI0_gulVoC7oPOMwQl9bwC4LKzjxaA9MILF9y3jYCXY7ZXnDmoY1PXgTktOR-aH4-f26Xjj6Qibj_SIFU_SavMmlDlcdR31i9ww/s4032/CLementine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Jd2Dt6KKlxsPvEs8TxmApbZTj9UtqYp9ddsaEs7BAY0YGeSgcGxT_v7tVxJ6hHppWxaVQnKrDWGMXk_l4lyoNtMI0_gulVoC7oPOMwQl9bwC4LKzjxaA9MILF9y3jYCXY7ZXnDmoY1PXgTktOR-aH4-f26Xjj6Qibj_SIFU_SavMmlDlcdR31i9ww/w480-h640/CLementine.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Clementine </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_6mW9_Uqk548SSETrEL7idMucWPKouaQ1SHg1JYRm8Io8gmB0WBhBP080cjydGHd0jSmkXqmQUCWOnFamXZMsvpI6LnEJDE1BkJuIW495ZcZT9Hy_uj7zm7prt8Y1N52JwlJuyDKYUjzKDwovKh4ZzYWOgf0KJnaMOuOGoa9hZT-uiPMcU4JKU2W1Q/s4032/moon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_6mW9_Uqk548SSETrEL7idMucWPKouaQ1SHg1JYRm8Io8gmB0WBhBP080cjydGHd0jSmkXqmQUCWOnFamXZMsvpI6LnEJDE1BkJuIW495ZcZT9Hy_uj7zm7prt8Y1N52JwlJuyDKYUjzKDwovKh4ZzYWOgf0KJnaMOuOGoa9hZT-uiPMcU4JKU2W1Q/w640-h360/moon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Natoma </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YauX1wP7XGqHxOY0eKjJ92r_EAUnxDSNRsyfsObKiuq4BN-UppHJs-hQuz2mvxCKnfECx48KIlPI4tBuVif0MzO9E7hSIeQjZgkmgg-aOWCm87G_hn0R-vTjXLn56bJmmMOGX56l2Rlk-nu8cYsTEd1S_Lk5qojpaEkDACIAuZGYvuwt6eZTsy3d4A/s4032/Commanchee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YauX1wP7XGqHxOY0eKjJ92r_EAUnxDSNRsyfsObKiuq4BN-UppHJs-hQuz2mvxCKnfECx48KIlPI4tBuVif0MzO9E7hSIeQjZgkmgg-aOWCm87G_hn0R-vTjXLn56bJmmMOGX56l2Rlk-nu8cYsTEd1S_Lk5qojpaEkDACIAuZGYvuwt6eZTsy3d4A/w400-h300/Commanchee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Comanche Reservoir</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjute1d16D_ciNjiV8rw3LcAUOmW2dIjCDh9fNrKeuAJwaRHD1l0dirP5BZytpxe_skRVJnRrnxv38DtnKoGgsOcu6eXorfIy3qkqCJyunU6vifTbRFhBz64lo6GVxKn6vnCRwFOWRYglmxmUwsvopAxQaFXVsThnaKVUEMsZ7l7ywkVFR0KYYW6PqTNw/s1440/dan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="1440" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjute1d16D_ciNjiV8rw3LcAUOmW2dIjCDh9fNrKeuAJwaRHD1l0dirP5BZytpxe_skRVJnRrnxv38DtnKoGgsOcu6eXorfIy3qkqCJyunU6vifTbRFhBz64lo6GVxKn6vnCRwFOWRYglmxmUwsvopAxQaFXVsThnaKVUEMsZ7l7ywkVFR0KYYW6PqTNw/w400-h396/dan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Current Adventures' Dan Crandall </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ77mMxJtBSnGBoMl_GBW7WKh_09i97a6Fos5_1zLXBl1V5NEd9HF1RqnF8DeCTspmbOOjeNfd3LG6ewvHJYdQRCacK3dmOfghSaC2_h09KMO7cJXCpIV2AnMIOqchyyfrCodKg8C1EGxuMBPhgez07j5ZUo3dsupaLXsli0RMSFAJcZdWLXJN1GqBQA/s1440/yosemite.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ77mMxJtBSnGBoMl_GBW7WKh_09i97a6Fos5_1zLXBl1V5NEd9HF1RqnF8DeCTspmbOOjeNfd3LG6ewvHJYdQRCacK3dmOfghSaC2_h09KMO7cJXCpIV2AnMIOqchyyfrCodKg8C1EGxuMBPhgez07j5ZUo3dsupaLXsli0RMSFAJcZdWLXJN1GqBQA/w640-h480/yosemite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Debbie Carlson & Yosemite Valley </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="auto"></div><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshNNqV1A-VwfqvBD5waVi2qeHGkvX5qMQIwdFGiJ6weLH0b8exukNmNqL6A7jccGCi3EU7lRQ3QAStwixyBrGmJLd2T5GjaStb7no7dSNRs103JTgV3Wttp0xES88fSHOQS111b5pAaqW_YCZzlQxSrvgjvcqr9NKKyP1oE6P_uT8sEJhgXlFEaTKeg/s1440/Lodi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1440" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshNNqV1A-VwfqvBD5waVi2qeHGkvX5qMQIwdFGiJ6weLH0b8exukNmNqL6A7jccGCi3EU7lRQ3QAStwixyBrGmJLd2T5GjaStb7no7dSNRs103JTgV3Wttp0xES88fSHOQS111b5pAaqW_YCZzlQxSrvgjvcqr9NKKyP1oE6P_uT8sEJhgXlFEaTKeg/w400-h366/Lodi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Lake Lodi </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMHEs3402fCG8dp-ly1pAkkqkm2GqF14yvVef2DaTwDhVa-pBTfdvpirxG4gihU6CqqTnkoBvKM6QwkET4wDy8JfgAWp5kGL7QCrEWLlHOl8hLPPmx9_vFF4_bkcGnGEnalcLHn7Z97H0fhGOhNDKQoJlwh7zf3O5pBs45jUG96YGZBeVDyTvhYUsBg/s3968/hand.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMHEs3402fCG8dp-ly1pAkkqkm2GqF14yvVef2DaTwDhVa-pBTfdvpirxG4gihU6CqqTnkoBvKM6QwkET4wDy8JfgAWp5kGL7QCrEWLlHOl8hLPPmx9_vFF4_bkcGnGEnalcLHn7Z97H0fhGOhNDKQoJlwh7zf3O5pBs45jUG96YGZBeVDyTvhYUsBg/w400-h225/hand.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Clementine</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69T2FP4zuB4tcD-MqpO7RjyibqyEJZS19rOLBzhc8CZYRBLZYNygjxrvR7k4qeJPBcqx1bYg_fYsihzCB571v3O-sVdh1OHNCR7W4w7TpJ7ekK8JcsSVx_xLfWc7BqRUtUV16wJjZIlwnZUVSpCRpbdigYHbmSfpnoRn1fbS38VBz9W-rqwd1rRmZ1A/s4160/SLY%20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69T2FP4zuB4tcD-MqpO7RjyibqyEJZS19rOLBzhc8CZYRBLZYNygjxrvR7k4qeJPBcqx1bYg_fYsihzCB571v3O-sVdh1OHNCR7W4w7TpJ7ekK8JcsSVx_xLfWc7BqRUtUV16wJjZIlwnZUVSpCRpbdigYHbmSfpnoRn1fbS38VBz9W-rqwd1rRmZ1A/w400-h300/SLY%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Lake Jenkinson </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aQoq7VSjgweO_cSqJ2lVDDY6dMXSH0nkZBQ8UpAgSgcTlVuvEgFmlDQTe9w56msIDZgQPQ6lOxlsnkVlyCannyg6wGespqx_G2uPK03yo1l61HgLM-KKOqcCNl5ovxbjvSTU6kZpVFqbH8tZ-B2Ru5NsRQAsHf4lJGb20pCzMxoO8-7zHZVUpyqQsA/s1586/03%2012%20xx.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1586" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aQoq7VSjgweO_cSqJ2lVDDY6dMXSH0nkZBQ8UpAgSgcTlVuvEgFmlDQTe9w56msIDZgQPQ6lOxlsnkVlyCannyg6wGespqx_G2uPK03yo1l61HgLM-KKOqcCNl5ovxbjvSTU6kZpVFqbH8tZ-B2Ru5NsRQAsHf4lJGb20pCzMxoO8-7zHZVUpyqQsA/w640-h434/03%2012%20xx.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Rattlesnake Bar & Folsom Lake </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://nickcarlsonadventure.blogspot.com/2022/05/return-to-lake.html#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h2>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-60236024650369007762022-05-13T15:48:00.002-07:002022-05-13T15:48:08.331-07:00OVER THE BOW: THE OTTER TAIL RIVER<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMvNZHvwEXUxUIe91DpNUz2xbNrNewSzAD2WNlAZ92PmU5J627SlSEYlBHhTuCCOwW5gWmwiS9YnsCeqWEp8an5Ixc11rb6QQdfqn1gGPsLPeC0-o4-It93w7UI_ky1jEokYeceDeK8EZuXLR3dme_-f4mtUd1OPlc9-B6RjTPBtbnrZONZsXWxND6A/s1920/SAM_1130%20copy%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMvNZHvwEXUxUIe91DpNUz2xbNrNewSzAD2WNlAZ92PmU5J627SlSEYlBHhTuCCOwW5gWmwiS9YnsCeqWEp8an5Ixc11rb6QQdfqn1gGPsLPeC0-o4-It93w7UI_ky1jEokYeceDeK8EZuXLR3dme_-f4mtUd1OPlc9-B6RjTPBtbnrZONZsXWxND6A/w640-h360/SAM_1130%20copy%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are. -- Lynn Noel</span></i></b></h3></span></i></b></h3><div><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div>It has been a long time since I've got to paddle the Otter Tail River in Minnesota. I started thinking about that while packing up and getting ready to move. Something about moving makes us feel nostalgic about the place we're leaving behind. We think about the things we'll miss. A neighbor, a restaurant or bar, and if you're like me, a favorite paddling place.</div><br />The Otter Tail River was the first river where I got a taste of whitewater. It's Minnesota's eighth-longest river running through the western part of the state before dumping into the Red River. It starts out as a narrow crystal-clear stream as it meanders downhill through the countryside's lakes and marshes. It doesn't move particularly fast but offers canoeists plenty of opportunities for wildlife views along the tranquil river trail. However, east of Fergus Falls, the Otter Tail River picks up speed after making an abrupt turn toward the west, running through a valley filled with Class I and II rapids. <br />Whitewater is uncommon in western Minnesota. The gradient of the land just doesn't drop that fast. In California, the gradient for popular whitewater sections is measured in feet per mile; but in northwest Minnesota, the gradient is gauged in inches per mile. So don't look for big drops. It has been said that a second-hand pool table has more of a slant to it than a northwestern Minnesota river.<br /><br />That said, the <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6023602465036900776#">Broken Down Dam</a> site on the river just east of Fergus Falls has been offering thrills and spills for canoeists and kayakers wanting to take a small bite of whitewater. The crumbling dam has been mostly forgotten since its collapse over a century ago. Busting through its center, the river tumbles, swirls, and drops between two massive concrete walls. During the spring runoff or after a good summer rain, the stream can rage into a fast-moving Class III rapid. Combined with a boulder garden stretch of class II waves before reaching the dam's remnants, it's a perfect place for a whitewater kayak in a place where rapids are hard to find.<br /><br />About ten years ago, I was just getting into paddling, and of course, just as I do today, I wanted the thrill and challenge of paddling rapids. With Sigurd Olson's words echoing in my head, "I know this: as long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes and a touch of wildness in their souls, rapids will be run." <br />My son Cole and I dove in headfirst. We bought two used whitewater boats at a Twin Cities kayak auction. Probably, not the best fit, but it got us on the water. We took turns running that foam-laced section of the river one afternoon, feeling a sense of triumph after bounding through the crashing waves. <br /><br />This move will be shorter than my move to California from the Midwest and the Otter Tail River. My wife Debbie and I are leaving Fair Oaks and moving up into the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, where we all know the rivers do rush, tumble, and fall. I will miss the closeness of some of my favorite paddling spots in the valley, but, unlike Minnesota rivers, I'll still be able to visit them from time to time.<div> <br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #ffa400;">Over the Bow is a feature from Outside Adventure to the Max, telling the story behind the image. If you have a great picture with a great story, submit it to us at nickayak@gmail.com</b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OutsideAdventuretotheMax/">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nickayak/">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Fy9wGzESVWDMuWTC9Ihqw">Youtube</a>.</b></span></h3></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-57371030530636914102022-05-06T16:27:00.001-07:002022-05-06T16:30:01.169-07:00RETURN TO THE LAKE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ScyI-H1EPN018Xl4L30paXp5YgllqtJC5XC_1Myj9Q7iztLRFsJvsqOypWtkpUr75MIEoj3u4vHMbkjTzW4dlVIjt5QHJOpiGZMExaYEfytydhRWkMtaEYGQTNoKjTUPb8eedzCUqwLzcKcXH9NRdUesLWKJsnHZQVWIrbh5ZCutRaMSDMXg6fGIww/s1440/Canooe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1440" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ScyI-H1EPN018Xl4L30paXp5YgllqtJC5XC_1Myj9Q7iztLRFsJvsqOypWtkpUr75MIEoj3u4vHMbkjTzW4dlVIjt5QHJOpiGZMExaYEfytydhRWkMtaEYGQTNoKjTUPb8eedzCUqwLzcKcXH9NRdUesLWKJsnHZQVWIrbh5ZCutRaMSDMXg6fGIww/w640-h450/Canooe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I returned to the lake last weekend. Coming back to the quiet waters of Lake Jenkinson and Sly Park Recreation Area that's nestled in the western foothills of the Sierra, near Pollock Pines, California. The past several summers, I have spent almost every weekend working the Sly Park Paddle Rentals boathouse, renting out kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to anyone wanting to paddle the lake. Driving down the park road and seeing the water shimmering through the trees, I felt like I had arrived back home. It had been a long time coming. My season was abruptly cut short last summer after I was unceremoniously tossed off the lake as the Calder fire raged nearby. </p><p>I had come back a couple times. Late in the fall, I came to gather up all the gear I had left behind. Even then, the walk down to the lake to sweep away the ash from inside the boathouse was a long one. It had been a dry year from the beginning. All season, I watched the lake levels drop, exposing the lakebed and tree stumps. The wildfire only exacerbated the already parched season. The Calder Fire reported on August 14th went scorched some 221,835 acres, but luckily only singed Sly Park borders. </p><p>When my wife Debbie and I visited the lake for a mid-winter hike along the snow-covered lakeshore, we were happy to see the lake was still low. But on the rise. We were optimistic that winter storms would yield much-needed moisture into the lake. </p><p>This past weekend, the lake was up. According to the sign at the front gate was up to 81%. Not quite full, but a far cry better than the last time I visited. Now the lake glistened an emerald green. The boathouse had been lifted from the depths of the lake. The long pathway down to its gangplank was only a memory. Looking into the clear water below it, I could make out a few of the rocks I had placed to mark the trail where the sidewalk had ended. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQVS_93qxSCAVzBOUMuiSix9nPVc4NBleGFptt2rNCa_ofo0qjP4Oj_qacfXzKm7kMp-RRJkGe4GZZVK0Z5vadksdXyaMMCGQngfZFp1wMmAp-7NaBV2PcwFZnBgqyF-ec_dM2s0d2iaMqINwoAEhBW_6kh2u7-tMN6G7UhiBxHqg1YX4ivGHHU778Q/s3428/bail.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2260" data-original-width="3428" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQVS_93qxSCAVzBOUMuiSix9nPVc4NBleGFptt2rNCa_ofo0qjP4Oj_qacfXzKm7kMp-RRJkGe4GZZVK0Z5vadksdXyaMMCGQngfZFp1wMmAp-7NaBV2PcwFZnBgqyF-ec_dM2s0d2iaMqINwoAEhBW_6kh2u7-tMN6G7UhiBxHqg1YX4ivGHHU778Q/s320/bail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The canoes that Current Adventures Dan Crandall had brought up lay half-sunken under the boathouse dock. A heavy rain a few weeks ago indicated how much rain had fallen. The four canoes served as large rain gauges. They would require a bit of bailing if my group from Bayside Adventure Sports were to be using them that evening for a sunset paddle. </p><p>Paddlers often debate the perfect time of the day to paddle. Some say it's best in the morning mist. When the lake is still quiet. And the fishing boats have yet to arrive. On Lake Jenkinson there is a 90-minute window in the early morning when the lake is calm and before the winds start to blow through the narrows. The afternoon fetch is always troublesome to paddlers when paddling against it. Others might prefer to sleep in and wait for sunset when the pines cast shadows across the lake and the western sky is ablaze. There may be a sunset every day but being on Lake Jenkinson in a canoe at twilight while watching the sun slowly sink down into the pines is a special experience no matter how many times, I've taken it in. </p><p>"I was entranced by the loveliness of the sight," Egerton Ryerson Young, a Canadian missionary and author wrote in his biographical tale, By Canoe and Dog Train Among the Cree Ad Salteaux, "The reflections of the canoe and men and of the islands and rocks were as vivid as the actual realities. So clear and transparent was the water that where it met the air, there seemed to be only a narrow thread between the two elements. Not a breath of air stirred, not a ripple moved. It was one of those sights, which seldom comes to us in a lifetime, where everything is in perfect unison."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3m6FgM3KGkXn4RUi6xW9qsi9QlH1tYH0VPTARkDLaFYAD2msT5VXWrQQ8I0Cccqi5ImFJjadI1JCTTnSrusdXBN8H9Sz8uNPKer7au5IhFjpML94eE3_RzD-mMjWr41rVPzMsb9VA20fHD-52TX4vbFZNett83kO0kOtmAGzqdMwtjq-RnKB_UmvwQ/s3031/Kayak.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="3031" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3m6FgM3KGkXn4RUi6xW9qsi9QlH1tYH0VPTARkDLaFYAD2msT5VXWrQQ8I0Cccqi5ImFJjadI1JCTTnSrusdXBN8H9Sz8uNPKer7au5IhFjpML94eE3_RzD-mMjWr41rVPzMsb9VA20fHD-52TX4vbFZNett83kO0kOtmAGzqdMwtjq-RnKB_UmvwQ/w640-h474/Kayak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>After spending two days camping with my group, I can truly, say I can't wait for more. I look forward to opening up the boathouse for the season and all the summer days at home on the lake.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">If you want to go on a canoe or kayak trip at Sly Park contact:<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips<br /> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">PHONE: 530-333-9115 or Toll-Free: 888-452-9254<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">FAX: 530-333-1291<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">USPS: Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, CA 95651<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="#">info@currentadventures.com<br /></a></span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">owner Dan Crandall <a href="#">dan@kayaking.com</a></span></b></h3><b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br />Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="#">Instagram</a> and now on <a href="#">Youtube</a>.</span></b><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div dir="auto"></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-38552836915923126722022-04-21T23:15:00.001-07:002022-04-22T14:43:09.343-07:00EARTH DAY 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoytwHH700SrU7TW_BSrSfLLWH7w-eGYJJeHqbhgqgM49a65ENa5WhMCKv3YYEVjwqHD-IHf0zBpiFBd-Mc4w3ZWbCSe21NcvgLHytqXsQEUi_4IRNwROlkj80hmVPc6BRCV6k0OQirj_PoTik8TYH2M9RshBcQpJQ6E0ckKvnvMLmQu1EyF1UFzeG_A/s4000/sunrise-over-the-earth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoytwHH700SrU7TW_BSrSfLLWH7w-eGYJJeHqbhgqgM49a65ENa5WhMCKv3YYEVjwqHD-IHf0zBpiFBd-Mc4w3ZWbCSe21NcvgLHytqXsQEUi_4IRNwROlkj80hmVPc6BRCV6k0OQirj_PoTik8TYH2M9RshBcQpJQ6E0ckKvnvMLmQu1EyF1UFzeG_A/w640-h320/sunrise-over-the-earth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Last week, all the three monotheistic faiths celebrated overlapping holy days and religious festivals of Judaism’s Passover, Christianity’s Easter, and Islam’s holy month of Ramadan. It happens every 30 years because the three observances are based on different calendars and factors that determine when the holidays will occur. It was a time for family gatherings, reflection, and prayers as all three faiths reminded us of our responsibility for each other and the world.<br /><br />The world will celebrate this week with Earth Day on April 22. Since its inception in 1970, it has evolved into an international movement to people together in the cause of preserving our planet for all. Since its beginning over 50 years ago, billions of people in more than 200 countries have taken part in educational and service activities such as tree plantings and river cleanups, along with demonstrations, marches, and protests, centered around the crucial goal of nurturing and protecting our environment. <br /><br />Each year the celebration of Earth Day serves as a reminder to us all of the importance of taking care of our planet earth. However, the mandate for taking care of the environment is far older than this annual event. From Buddhism to Christianity to Hinduism to Islam, various faiths acknowledge the need for environmental stewardship in their holy texts urge adherents to be caretakers of the Earth.<br /><br />In the Bible's Genesis, we are told that God created the entire universe and formed the earth for all living things. <br /><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches. The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found. The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush. The third branch, called the Tigris, flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch is called the Euphrates. The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend to and watch over it.<br /></span></b></i><br />For Muslims, being guardians of the Earth is the responsibility of all. The Quran says there is a definite purpose in the creation of different species, be it plants or animals.<br /><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><i>And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] it’s ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.</i></b></span><br /><br />Hindus understand the environment to mean the natural world, and everything around us is part of the earth and nature. Ancient Hindu teaching says, <b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">The Earth is our mother and we are all her children.<br /></span></i></b><br />Buddhists believe that man and nature need to coexist, and that nature is neither good nor evil. <br />The Dalai Lama said in 1990, <b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">“Our ancestors viewed the earth as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we now know is the case only if we care for it.”</span></i></b><br /><br />So while science and religion are often thought to be at odds on many issues. On the caring of the planet, all the faiths are in global solidarity.<div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Instagram</a>, and now on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-29720608460990346312022-04-08T20:51:00.004-07:002022-04-08T20:51:47.235-07:00RATTLESNAKE BAR & VIDEO<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hUrtodBowHsdV-pO2_FFk0CKpO_FkeMVrT-UZWfFrpWxAlxukAcaSFowNsbEHCf1iMyJ1yB1CTeFS0WCLnaEZPxfs7COgMMDzg9A1bJmorfLw42Ndiw7fG842kvGvIob1hF9krMAed_AeZZZljaHVcWHKXynZHR8PYmUyzWZnw_Y0z1hT-nnWP5I-Q/s720/rattle%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hUrtodBowHsdV-pO2_FFk0CKpO_FkeMVrT-UZWfFrpWxAlxukAcaSFowNsbEHCf1iMyJ1yB1CTeFS0WCLnaEZPxfs7COgMMDzg9A1bJmorfLw42Ndiw7fG842kvGvIob1hF9krMAed_AeZZZljaHVcWHKXynZHR8PYmUyzWZnw_Y0z1hT-nnWP5I-Q/w640-h360/rattle%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I have never seen a river that I could not love," wrote Canadian writer and conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown, "Moving water...has a fascinating vitality. It has power and grace and associations. It has a thousand colors and a thousand shapes, yet it follows laws so definite that the tiniest streamlet is an exact replica of a great river."</div><div>When I started kayaking, I dreamed of these river places Haig-Brown called "Water in its loveliest form." </div><div>I always wanted to paddle that clear water passageway between massive ramparts of broken disheveled of once molten rock, now crystallized over millions of years. Where the rock is exposed, lifted, and shattered along the fault lines and large boulders have become their own islands as they raise from the depths of the river. It's rough, It's rugged. It's Rattlesnake Bar.</div><div>Rattlesnake Bar is part of the California State Parks Folsom Lake Recreation Area. Located on the north arm of the reservoir, down a long dead-end road after the fork winding past white fences and horse barns towards the entrance of the park.</div><div>The lake glistens, flashing through the oaks and willows while driving down the narrow road after entering the park. Suffering another year of drought, it sometimes looked more like Mars's dusty remnants. But it is springtime, and the lake is just over 50% of its total capacity which is just slightly below average for this time of year.</div><div><br /></div><div>But even at half-full, the water comes nowhere near the end of the ramp. Bring a cart, or plan on a lengthy trek shouldering your kayak down the ramp or along an arduous trail down a steep bank to the lake. The guidebooks said to watch for rattlesnakes, hence the name, but it should have warned you about that thick layer of muck and slimy goo in front of the lake.</div><div>The water was a silty brown turned up by waves of speed boats. It resembles a choppy coffee and cream color even past the 5-mph buoy about a mile north of the access. Those, with a need for speed, turn around and head back to the main part of the lake. Those in search of the quiet of the lake, canyon, and river proceed on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Past Mormon Ravine, the lake widens and turns to the northeast. On the north side, the old Pony Express Trail is now a hiking path along the lake. Further up lake narrows with rugged rocky ledges on both sides. We don't feel the tug of current tell further up the canyon. But it's common through here. The lake behaves more like a river as the water level dictates where the river ends, and the lake begins. There is a sudden change in water temperature and clarity as the cool mountain North Fork of the American River pours into the lake. It was now a refreshing cold and running transparently clear.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have paddled upstream here before and even portaged through shallow rapids to the river's slow-moving pools. On this trip, however, the lake covers up those rapids. At Oregon Bar Rapids, there is no need to go any further on this trip. The rushing water turns us back downstream.</div><div>Above Pilot Creek, we found a nice flat rock and water warmed by the sun. We beached our boats and surveyed our river surroundings. Upriver, we could see the foam of whitewater. Downstream, the rugged curve of the canyon suffused the amber light of the late afternoon sun. On warmer days, I've spent a good chunk of time there becoming a kid again by diving off rocks, swimming between dives, and exploring the view of the canyon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Light and shadows dance across the water as the sun slips behind the horizon on our paddle back to Rattlesnake Bar access. The hills and trees' obscurity are offset by the warm glow of the water. My senses were awakened by the stillness and coolness of the air as we glided silently and almost effortlessly across the placid lake of golden glass.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="513" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nJ0yGPjr6k8" width="601" youtube-src-id="nJ0yGPjr6k8"></iframe></div><br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Instagram</a>, and now on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h2><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><div><div><div><div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #1c1c1c; color: #cccccc; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #1c1c1c; color: #cccccc; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-62311497292077291752022-04-01T00:34:00.000-07:002022-04-01T00:34:55.156-07:00EXTREME PADDLER PLANS TO PADDLE EVERY RIVER ON THE PLANET<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8PClzt4Znc8qk55FJ2R0uhqiA1d1oswtcuhTDknCfH6bpq56xJQ8KwTyHiphmZYn0y_R82WFUE_oVZ8e-Ung7M-ZzpuAOa573O1oK9_mbsjJp44E2LjjcTDygX1bJnVu-E2IHyQLitiV6tKMsquYCSH5lw-3Spl9FtQWrC0tNvcvJ08CAWAmMkyrhA/s1205/APRil%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1205" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8PClzt4Znc8qk55FJ2R0uhqiA1d1oswtcuhTDknCfH6bpq56xJQ8KwTyHiphmZYn0y_R82WFUE_oVZ8e-Ung7M-ZzpuAOa573O1oK9_mbsjJp44E2LjjcTDygX1bJnVu-E2IHyQLitiV6tKMsquYCSH5lw-3Spl9FtQWrC0tNvcvJ08CAWAmMkyrhA/w640-h574/APRil%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>As springtime comes, many paddlers are contemplating their plans for summer adventures. Extreme adventure kayaker Rick "Rhino" Ryan is gearing up for a never been done before odyssey paddling every river on earth. It will be a 50-million-mile journey that will take him to unexplored wildernesses in the far reaches of the world.</div>"I'm always looking for new epic challenges," said Rhino, "I thought I'd start with all the rivers of America. But then I thought maybe not big enough, maybe North America, and from there it just cascaded into all the rivers of the world. So, I'm going colossal!"<br /><br />According to Alexa, there are about 165 major rivers in the world. Rivers vary in size and distance. There are 76 rivers in the world over 1000 miles long. Located in the continent of Africa, the Nile River is the longest at 4,135 miles. The Amazon River in South America is 3,980 miles long, while the Mississippi River and the Missouri Rivers is the longest river system in North America at 3,902 miles, just to name a few. There are thousands of smaller rivers, but the exact number is difficult to determine. Hydrologists studying images from a NASA Landsat satellite estimate the United States alone has around 3.5 million miles of river miles. While the earth calculates some 58 million river miles on the planet.<br />"It's definingly going to be a lot of paddle strokes, "said Rhino.<br /><br />Rhino is a world-class paddler who's always looking for his next challenge. He's tackled some of the planet's most dangerous waterways for nearly a decade, always looking for that next thrill that most would consider a death wish. He has traveled all the big rivers of the world like the Colorado, Amazon, the rivers of Nepal. But it was down a jungle river in California that made him a legend in the paddling world.<br />In 2021, brought on during the Covid-19 shutdown, he jumped the fence at Disneyland to paddle Adventureland's Jungle Cruise Waterway, what some called the globe’s most treacherous river. <br />"I remembered the river ride as a kid," said Rhino, "That was the first trip river trip that got me hooked on paddling. It was crazy! Lions, hippos, tigers, and danger everywhere! I was lucky to survive." <br />Officials weren't too happy, however. That voyage trip did get him arrested, and he now has a lifetime ban in the park.<br /><br />"He been thinking of doing this for quite a while," said Dan Masters of Master of Disasters Kayaking & Trips, "A lot of paddling expeditions compare their trip to that of like that of going to the moon. This one is like going to every star in the heavens. But he'll do it. I'm sure he will get it done in half the time most people would think. It would take two or three lifetimes for a lot of paddlers."<br /><br />While the big-name rivers like the Colorado, Nile, Amazon, and Indus River are all well known. It's the not-so-famous ones that Rhino is looking forward to running the most. <br />"I plan to be shooting the big whitewater waves, the easy flat water, and every in-between. There will be a lot of first descents down forgotten rivers. There will be some spectacular drops and challenging water along with some incredible views of both remote as well as urban landscapes."<br /><br />And you will be able to come along. Rhino's odyssey will be shown on Extreme Sports Adventure productions. ESA is the company that produces, The Real Wives of Kayakers. It's a highly rated TV show featuring women partnered with paddlers living the life, that believe it or not, does not always go steady with the flow. That show focuses on women living their dream of setting camera shots, making room for another boat in the garage, lonely shuttle drives, and dealing with smelly wet neoprene.<br /><br />"I'm excited about having them along." said Rhino, "It will be part travel show, part food, and a lot of action. It will be a really great show or at least a swell beer commercial."<br /><br />Rhino, who seems to have been prepping for this voyage for years, says he will use 57 different types of boats for his epic expedition. <br />"I got them all stashed in the garage," said Rhino, "I'll use pack rafts for those small hard-to-navigate rivers. My creek boats for the wild rivers. My sea-going kayaks for long stretches of water. And my canoe for places like the Mississippi. I'll even have a horse tank in Nebraska and a bathtub for Florida."<br /><br /><div>Rhino's wife Debbie, who will be along for a good part of the trip, said, "I'll miss him when I can't be with him, but it will be great to finally park the car in the garage."<br /><br />Rhino expects the epic expedition to begin on April 1st. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Instagram</a>, and now on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Youtube</a>.</span></b></h3><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148763009711528017.post-86975640697891082962022-03-18T21:08:00.000-07:002022-03-18T21:08:37.661-07:00OVER THE BOW: THE CONFLUENCE OF THE AMERICAN AND SACRAMENTO RIVERS <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE9z9eHHsaMcv4JWiDqx8LRVXwt_HvC863EpQi_A9mmnd5a95k2-AFokJ-3e01JpFwjg8KjXYH529OMzGOD__9rYDMIDSui3hVHsNjIlQtFDlfwmnsw1RNSyfutPEPyojKJ1lzD_U3RZAMhkV6CfqeQnIGhLQXIx1-EvWw9ZgcYS-i0U2vSDSZYd0Q4A=s4110" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3082" data-original-width="4110" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE9z9eHHsaMcv4JWiDqx8LRVXwt_HvC863EpQi_A9mmnd5a95k2-AFokJ-3e01JpFwjg8KjXYH529OMzGOD__9rYDMIDSui3hVHsNjIlQtFDlfwmnsw1RNSyfutPEPyojKJ1lzD_U3RZAMhkV6CfqeQnIGhLQXIx1-EvWw9ZgcYS-i0U2vSDSZYd0Q4A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />Looking downstream on the Sacramento River, we can see the Sacramento city skyline about a mile. It gave me a slight chuckle as I said to my paddling partner John Taylor, "Those are some strange-looking mountains downriver."<br />John retorted back, "Your right. And there is not any snow on top of them either."<br /><br />When most people in vison kayaking or canoeing, they will think of places far away with scenic mountain views and tranquil pine-lined lakes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. But remember you don’t have to leave the city to enjoy a day out on the water. Urban paddling is something you can do in many cities. In Sacramento, California, paddling the Lower American River offers an unexpected way to get active in the outdoors while seeing the waterway destination from a new perspective.<div><br />“We are so fortunate to have this 4,800-acre, 23-mile waterway in the middle of our urban core that we can ride bikes on, we can kayak, we can horseback ride, all of these things as well as have family picnics, that we don’t want to see that go away,” Dianna Poggetto the executive director of American River Parkway Foundation, told Fox 40 during a recent a volunteer cleanup effort of the riverway. <br />Multiple homeless encampments along the parkway have caused a myriad of issues for civic leaders and nearby residents. Their biggest complaint is the trash and debris that's left along the banks of the river. Throughout the year, volunteers participate in the effort to accumulate the trash left behind.<br /><br />It was a left turn around the high bank of Discovery Park to the Lower American River from the Sacramento River. And it was easy to tell where one ends and the other begins. The Sacramento was colored darker with suspended soil, minerals, or other deposits, making it quite murky compared to clear running American. Paddling into the river's current, the change was instantaneous. <br /><br />The lower American River was designated as a "Recreational River" under both the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. One of only seven rivers in California to receive this protective status, the American River offers a rich array of recreational activities, wildlife viewing, along with its colorful history. <br />The Nisenan Native Americans were the first people to live here along the banks for hundreds of years. They called the river Kum Sayo, which translated means "roundhouse river." Naming it after their dwelling along banks.<br />Explorer and trapper Jedediah Smith showed in here in 1828, upsetting the Mexican authorities and freaking the Nisenan people along the river. He dubbed it the Wild River, but the name did not last. By the time, John Sutter built his fort further upstream, the area settlers and Native Americans named the river Rio de Los Americanos or American River.</div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Over the Bow is a feature from Outside Adventure to the Max, telling the story behind the image. If you have a great picture with a great story, submit it to us at nickayak@gmail.com</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Facebook</a> page and <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Instagram</a>, and now on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5148763009711528017/6112601276752833900#">Youtube</a>. </span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Outside Adventure to the Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08705487473401521558noreply@blogger.com1