GLOW PADDLE & VIDEO

The forecast was for rain. Weather watchers were tuning into the bright green blip on the radar of the impending storms that would hit parts of northern and central California. The atmospheric river storms was expected to dump trillion gallons of rainwater and help replenish area reservoirs, douse wildfires and maybe, just maybe, put a dent into the state's ongoing drought conditions.

Well, the numbers might have been down the 5th Annual Glow Paddle on Lake Natoma, but the looming rain could hardly dampen the spirit of the event. At the Negro Bar paddlers used duct tape, and twisty ties, and just about anything they could to attach twinkling and glowing lights to their boats and sups. Some were well thought out in advance. While some like me were busy trying to get new batteries and lights out new packaging and taped on to the boat hurried fashion.

But before long, we all slid them in the water and floated away as an illuminating light show. In the twilight, the vessels rafted up bobbed in front of the access like twinkling stars on they gleamed and reflected on the placid surface.

The boats came in every size and shape. Inflatable subs and hard shells blazed on the water. John Taylor brought his canoe wrapped in a string of lights. Another paddler in the mood of Halloween strung lit pumpkins across her bow. While flashing neon green, blue and pink headbands were worn by some paddle boarders. My whitewater boat was covered with lights from bow to stern was the perfect vehicle for the evening. I could spin in circles to do a full 360 of the paddle.

The star of the water made a roaring entrance. Glow Paddle organizer Tim Senechal, seems to outdo the others in radiant brilliance. Last year he constructed a glowing roaring dragon on top of his kayak. This year he brought two. A newer and larger one, that dazzled the lake, fashioned from corrugated plastic. The oohs and ahhs echoed over the lake as Tim and his wife paddled the gleaming dragons out to join the group.
In most cases, sea monsters don't stand by to pose for pictures. But, on that night, it shined in the spotlight as other paddlers circle the dragon kayaks getting pictures and cellphone videos.

Now in the past, we'd paddle up to the rainbow bridge to cheer on the runners and walkers on the Folsom Parks & Recreation Department's annual Glow Walk & Run. But,
canceled once again due to the covid pandemic, there were no incandescence runners or walkers to cheer on. But that didn't matter. On top of the bike bridge, several onlookers peered over the deck to view the floating effervescent show from above.

This was not a workout paddle. Or even a paddle to get to any particular destination globe paddle. It was is just a celebration of paddling. The rain held off as we paddled back to the access. Our boats glowed on the dark water as I'm sure smiles did to

One by one, we all came back to the access pulling our boats out of the water. Some of them were still glowing with the lights as they were loaded onto the trucks and cars. Can't wait again to do this next year. It was so much fun, were some of the comments I heard in the parking lot.
I pulled my boat out of the water and helped other folks with theirs. I was tying mine down when the rain began to fall.

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SACRAMENTO RIVER & VIDEO

Far below, the river frothed and flowed over pebbly shallows, or broke tumultuously over boulders and cascades, in its race for the great valley they had left behind. ---Jack London

There is no better way to get away from it all than to get out on the water on a long-distance kayak trip down the upper part of the Sacramento River. The upper reaches of the river is a paddler's paradise with fast and dependable flows, changing scenery with views of Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak, and a sense of serenity while floating along on California's longest river.

Last week, while scouting out a trip for next year for the faith-based Sacramento group Bayside Adventure Sports, we paddled the 11-mile section of the river from Mill Creek Park near Los Molinos to Tahema County River Park and Woodson Bridge State Park Recreation Area about 20 miles north of Chico.

While it certainly isn't the most complicated section of the river, it does offer an ideal way for beginners to experience paddling the river. While it had a few ripples, we mostly just dodged a lot of submerged tree stags along the way. Still, the river's clear water pushed us along briskly around each bend. We weaved under only two highway bridges at the beginning and end of this semi-remote section of the river. We nodded and waved to fishermen along the way and also saw our share of turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, and two promenade colonies of pelicans.

The put-in and the take-out were uncrowded for our October trip on the river when most recommend paddling is best, escaping the summer heat. 

"It was really nice. It was fun. It was exciting. It was everything you expect on a river trip. I can't wait to come back next year and do this with a bunch of people because it was so much fun," said Bayside Sports Paddling leader John Taylor. 

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WAITING FOR METEORS

Laying on the granite beach on a Sierra mountain high lake in the darkness has become a customary occurrence for me. The new moon is only a sliver. That will only enhance tonight's viewing of the night sky. Overhead the blueish-white stat Vega gleams in gleams down. While in between two the east mountain peaks, Saturn and Jupiter seem to be chasing each other as they climb in the sky. A fuzzy band of light in the sky, known as the Milky Way, spans across the heavens. And of course, the Big Dipper and (Polaris) points to the north.
It's more than dazzling. It's mind-blowing. To think that our galaxy, is so big, so endless, and so unknown. It is only the most remote regions on earth, like here in the high Sierra-Nevada mountains, where the night skies are dark enough to put on a show in this heavenly body.

"You can feel the stars and the infinity of the sky since life, in spite of everything, is like a dream." attributed to painter Vincent Van Gogh.

However, patience will be needed, for tonight's main attraction. The Perseid Meteor shower is a dazzling display of nature's fireworks that come every August. It is more of a sprinkle than a downpour. There's a waiting period between each burst of fiery light that requires determination and maybe a little luck.
"You never know when one of these fireballs is going to shake you to your core," Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York told NPPR in a radio interview, "The unexpected thing is what you should be hoping that you're going to get, which is a nice big bright one that's going to outshine all the stars - that's going to look like it's going to scare you."
 

Seeing the meteors streak across the sky was a bonus while being on this alpine lake. At 6,378 feet, Loon Lake has no trouble touching the heavens. Sitting about 100-feet higher than Lake Tahoe in the northern section of the Crystal Basin Recreation Area in the Eldorado National Forest along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the lake is the perfect backdrop for kayak camping. Offering pristine blue water, textured granite shore, and by day awe-inspiring views, one could find no better wilderness for solitude and tranquility.

For three years in a row, I have led members of Bayside Adventure Sports, a Sacramento faith-based group, on a one-of-kind kayak camping trip to the far end of the lake. During the days, we'd explored the coves, bays, and islands of the lake, slowing meandering around glaciers exposed granite boulders dotting the shoreline. And once again, after dinner, we'd enjoy a breathtakingly stunning sunset across the western horizon during a cruise on the breathless water of the lake. 

After our sunset paddle, we'd normally have retired by a cozy campfire. But without fire restrictions, we would have to depend on the meteors to light up the night. We reclined along the rocky beach, looking towards the sky. There is a dazzling array of stars above us. In quiet contemplation, Our thoughts navigate us through time and space. How long does it take the light of the stars to touch the earth? Can those satellites see us from above? Where are those meteors?

"The one thing that I always recommend that everybody bring with them when you watch a meteor shower is patience," Faherty told NPPR.

 
We wait, stare and ponder, then in an instant. Our thoughts are suddenly disrupted by a flash of a meteor's tale. Fourth of July-like oohs and awes charge the air as the fireball streaks across the sky. But, the shooting star is gone much too quickly. However, it's an experience we will remember for a lifetime. Seeing a falling star is always special, however, catching it with friends while kayaking a high Sierra lake is simply magical.

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2021 NEW YEAR, SAME MESSAGE

″‘At last all such things must end,’ he said, ‘but I would have you wait a little while longer: for the end of the deeds that you have shared in has not yet come. A day draws near that I have looked for in all the years of my manhood, and when it comes I would have my friends beside me.‘”---J.R.R Tolkien,

It was early last August when I met Dan Crandall in Placerville, California. We usually had met there on Sundays, so I could hand off the receipts, waivers, and cash from my weekend at Sly Park Paddle Rentals on Lake Jenkinson. Like always, I was pretty beat up after a pretty good weekend up at the dock. The Covid-19 pandemic had halted the early part of our summer on the lake but since many of the restrictions had been lifted by then, the business of renting canoes, paddleboards, and kayaks had been booming. It was the same everywhere. To escape the constraints of the global coronavirus pandemic, people had flocked to the lakes, rivers, woods, parks, trails, campgrounds, and wilderness areas.

Usually, Dan was upbeat and boundless energy. River canyons still echo the booming calls he made while leading kayaking classes and race training. Popular and like-able Dan is a gifted paddler, a true friend, and a great boss.
But like us all the past year, like us all, made him a bit tired. I could see it in his eyes. While some of the activities of Current Adventures Kayaking School & Trips and its retail partner the River Store were doing as well, other parts had been upended by the pandemic.
I asked him if we had any upcoming touring session sessions coming up I could help with on. He said no that much of the summer classes had been curtailed. Then he said something that has stuck with me since.
"You know it's not going to go away at the end of the year." he forewarned, "People expect it to just go away then. But, it won't. It will go on into the next year."

Of course, Dan was right. As we start in 2021, the message is still the same as before. Be safe. Especially now, when hospitals are already under pressure and the death toll across the country continues to mount. California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned residents to brace for the impact of surge upon surge from recent holiday travel.

Snow Bound
Despite many new restrictions, outdoor recreation remains open. The ski slopes are operating, and many resorts are employing social distancing to limit capacity and reduce the crowds.
“Many ski resorts have changed practices to provide distance when waiting in lines or having people from the same group ride together on lifts,” Jan K. Carney, professor of medicine and associate dean for public health and health policy at Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington told USA Today.
“Bring your own lunch," Carney added, "And if you want a new and more socially distant activity, try cross-country skiing – outdoors, plenty of space, and great exercise,” Carney adds.

Cross Country Skis and Snowshoes Getting Hard To Find
While cross-country skiing and snowshoeing would ensure plenty of exercise with plenty of space to visit the snow. You just better have them already tucked away in your garage if you want to go. Retailers are having had trouble keeping both the items in stock, calling them the new toilet paper.
A similar buying frenzy happened last year with bicycles, kayaks, and paddleboards when people realized that the only way they'd get outside safely for both pleasure and transportation was if they owned their own gear.
“When the whole — no one can congregate indoors — [lockdown] started people found the outdoors again [and] at that point our kayak sales went crazy,” Lightning Kayak CEO Stuart Lee told the Minneapolis Star -Tribune

Outdoors Diversity
While many Americans have decided that outdoor activities, including everything from kayaking to skiing and snowshoeing, are essential to getting through the coronavirus pandemic. However, the Black Lives Matter Movement has shed a light on how deeply rooted racism is in our society. Statistics collected from the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service show that although people of color make up nearly 40 percent of the total U.S. population, close to 70 percent of people who visit national forests, national wildlife refuges, and national parks are white, while Black people remain the most dramatically underrepresented group in these spaces.
In 2021, we must cultivate common ground among diverse communities and making outdoor recreation welcoming and accessible to all. This past year the Just Add Water Project took steps on a mission to break down barriers to the outdoors and creating the culture we want to see in the future.

A New National Park
Included with pandemic-related aid in the second federal stimulus relief package. The New River Gorge in southern West Virginia will go from being a National River to a National Park and Preserve, making it the country’s 63rd national park and 20th preserve.
The area was designated a national river in 1978. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserver Designation Act is a part of the Fiscal Year 2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill and pandemic relief package.

Kayak, Canoe & You
An unforeseen side effect of the coronavirus pandemic and spread of COVID-19 was an explosion in participants in paddling sports and outdoor fun all around the country and even the world. Nowhere is this more true than in the rise of social media paddling. This past year on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, on any given day I've seen stories and visual media where my paddling brothers and sisters, some famous, others perhaps less so, that took me to their favorite waterways. In 2021, I will look again to them to be educated, thrilled, and mostly inspired. You can follow us at Outside Adventure to Max to hopefully do the same.

Paddle Day #152
I paddled to a new personal record of 152 paddling days in the calendar year. I started on California's Lake Natoma with Bayside Adventure Sports and finished the year with them as well on Lake Natoma.
Without a doubt we're looking forward to leaving 2020 behind while eagerly anticipating an exciting new future in 2021. As Alfred, Lord Tennyson said,“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘It will be happier.’”

Happy New Year 

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CHRISTMAS STARS

“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!” ---Charles Dickens

It's officially winter now. We observed the winter solstice that happened earlier this week. For the last six months, the days have grown shorter, and the nights have grown even longer for us in the Northern Hemisphere. All of it leading up to the shortest day of the year this past Monday. In terms of daylight hours, last Monday was 5 hours, 24 minutes, shorter than the first day of summer this past June. But now that's all about to reverse. We will be adding a few moments of light added each day from sunrise to sunset.

John Taylor & Bayside Adventure Sports

 "The winter solstice has always been special to me as a barren darkness that gives birth to a verdant future beyond imagination," said American spiritual teacher and author, Gary Zukav, "A time of pain and withdrawal that produces something joyfully inconceivable, like a monarch butterfly masterfully extracting itself from the confines of its cocoon, bursting forth into unexpected glory."

As the calendar year turns and launches into a new year, there is no doubt we are hoping for some "unexpected glory." Especially after this past year of somewhat bleak darkness with this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. But as everyone knows, it is on the darkest nights when the stars are the brightest. In the year 2020, the stars in my life as bright as ever.

In my kayaking universe, I look forward to every day on the water I can. Dan Crandall and the other superstars on Current Adventures Kayaking School and Trips have been there for guidance and encouragement all along the way. Despite Covid-19, we did have a busy summer of getting people on the water at Sly Park Paddle Rentals to enjoy the shimmer of Lake Jenkinson. We look forward to returning to our normal schedule of classes, tours, and moonlit paddles in 2021.

We had an unofficial of count over 30 paddling events with Bayside Adventure Sports this past year. Pretty good considering, Covid-19 took away a couple of months while quarantining. Of course, none of it would have been possible without our leaders John Taylor and Randy Kizer. Sure, I have some great ideas, but those two made it happen this year.
The highlights of the season were many. They included our annual Lower American River run, our camping kayaking trip to Loon Lake, and our always popular sunset and moonlit paddles on our area's lakes.

My wife, Debbie is and will always be my guiding star and inspiration. With her deep devotion to God and love for everything living great and small, I strive to be like her in mind and spirit. For the two of us, Christmas came early and twice this year. The first time in May with the birth of Maddie. And once again in October, with the birth of KDK. We are both excited to take the journey into being grandparents.

And I would like to thank our faithful readers of Outside Adventure to the Max.  I hope the future is now brighter for you all.

 Merry Christmas

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2020 IN REVIEW: PICTURES OF THE YEAR

 

I turned 60-years old this year. But in the year of Covid-19, the celebration ended abruptly. Like everyone, a lot of my plans were either canceled or put on hold. After orders to shelter in place spread across the country last spring, upending some of our favorite outdoor activities, we all soon learn to simply adapt. We made Zoom calls, hosted online events, and found ourselves saying, maybe next year when, things get back to normal, a lot.

“COVID-19 is not just a medical challenge," surmised writer Amit Ray, "But a spiritual challenge too. To defeat covid humanity need to follow the path of self-purification, compassion, nonviolence, God, and Nature.”

With the ongoing pandemic, this past year was a difficult one for us all. However, throw in a contentious election, the wave of shocking police brutality and continuing problems with race relations, along with global warming that caused havoc with West coast wildfires and hurricanes in the Southeastern part of the United States, 2020 will surely be remembered well into history. 

Lake Natoma

 Ironically the pandemic had a positive effect on the outdoors. Embracing the quarantine lifestyle and social distancing, many of us headed into our own backyards to explore again.
While kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are considered to be a form of exercise, the practice of social distancing could easily be accomplished once on the water. The only problem that occurred was limited or challenging access to public waterways. Venues were locked down in the early part of the spring due to overcrowding.

By mid-summer, while our classes with Current Adventures Kayaking School & Trips had taken a hit, the boat rentals at Sly Park Paddle Rentals were packed every weekend as folks flocked to Lake Jenkinson to escape quarantining inside. Doing outdoor activities close to home amid the pandemic was a way for people to exercise their bodies, minds, and spirit. More than once, I told our customers once at the lake to enjoy the moments on the water. Paddle towards the sound of the waterfall and forget about the rest.

Like always, the highlight of the summer was my annual no-frills expedition to Loon Lake with Bayside Adventure Sports, a Christian-based outreach group. The lake trip was a perfect mix of kayaking, camping, and great friends. Not to mention, the lake views, sunsets, and star gazing were amazing.

By Autumn, Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed, but the fire season had once again erupted in California. Ugly clouds of smoke blotted out the sun and sent us back indoors due to air quality. More trips were canceled as campgrounds were shutdown.
It seems 2020, for will for me, will be thought of more for what I didn't do. Rather, than what I did. However, I did get to run South Fork of the American and a few times and had my first down a section on of Sacramento River.

The Lower American River

It was a difficult year, as we all learn to adjust to living under the guise of the pandemic. We have mastered the art of socially distancing, we wear our masks and smile with our eyes and wave to each other instead of offering a handshake or a hug. Boy, I miss the hugs. But even so, I have witnessed inspiration and perseverance from my family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers, as they haven't given up during these Covid times. Yes, Yes, 2020 will be remembered as a very weird year when the world came to a sudden halt. But for we overcame and just kept paddling on.

So as 2020 draws to a close, I look back at some of my favorite images from this past year. 

Lake Jenkinson

North Fork of the American River

Donner Lake

Lake Jenkinson

South Fork of the American River

Sly Park Paddle Rentals on Lake Jenkinson

Loon Lake

Lake Clementine

The Lower American River with Bayside Adventure Sports

Folsom Lake

Lake Jenkinson

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LAKE NATOMA GLOW PADDLE WITH VIDEO

Paddlers taking part in the 4th annual Glow Paddle gleamed in the darkness on California State Park's Lake Natoma last weekend as they illuminated their canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards with colorful lights and decorations during the yearly paddle.
"It was a blast," said John Taylor, a paddler with Bayside Adventures Sports, an active Sacramento faith-based outdoor group, "All the boats were lit up so well. Hats off to all for making this happen."

For the past three years, the unofficial Glow Paddle has been held in conjunction with the Folsom Parks & Recreation Department's annual Glow Event. The walk/ run is a family-friendly, non-competitive run/walk for all ages where participants dressed up in costumes that glowed, blinked, sparked, and shined along the route. The neon shining walkers and runners decked out with glow sticks, glow glasses, glow necklaces lit up the trail from Folsom's Historic District, across the walk bridge over Lake Natoma, through the Negro Bar unit of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, and back again.

Paddler Pearli Van used Facebook to ignited the first Glow Paddle event on Lake Natoma. That year, only a few paddlers were flickering under the walk bridge to cheer on the walkers when they passed by. The next two Glow Paddles glimmered even brighter as more paddling groups became involved.
But when the Covid-19 pandemic doused the official Glow Event, that did not stop paddlers like Tim Senechal from generating the power to keep it going.
"This year there was no Folsom glow run to accompany it, but that didn’t stop us!" wrote Senechal on Facebook.

Photo Courtesy of Kassie Lee

Over 100 paddlers took part in the event, many from area paddling groups while other paddlers just came out after hearing about the event on social media. During the Glow Paddle, organizers stressed social distancing at the access at the Negro Bar boat ramp, along with wearing a PFD and following all state recreation area rules.

"So I was one of the jealous folks on the old bridge who had no clue you all existed until now," wrote Kassie Lee in a Facebook post, "Next time my SUP and I will be ready. Thanks for the pleasant surprise to my family's night out. The kids loved the lights.
"This event," wrote Senechal on a Facebook post, "Which started out with about 12 kayaks a few years ago, grew to over 100 kayakers tonight. This was no organized event. Just word of mouth through a few Facebook groups. Pretty amazing!" 

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MOON & GLOOM

The moon will guide you through the night with her brightness, but she will always dwell in the darkness, in order to be seen. ---Shannon L. Alder

There was supposed to be a full moon. It was supposed to come over the trees and a glorious gleaming beam over the waters of Lake Natoma. At least that was my plan while leading a moonlight kayaking paddle for Bayside Adventures Sports, an active Sacramento faith-based outdoor group. I can think of no better time to be on the water, as the orb's ethereal light glistens off the water.
Accompanied the peaceful stillness of the lake it can create a very serene "zen-like" experience while kayaking. For many, including me, it's a favorite paddling activity.

But the devastating Californian wildfires that had burned up millions of acres and thousands of structures had blanketed the Sacramento area with a dense overcast of smoke and haze for the past weeks. A gloomy cloud covered the lake and surrounding area, while the setting sun was a burning red ball of ember in the sky. The closer it sank to the horizon the more obscure it became before it to would disappear into the murky clouds. For sure there would be no beaming moon, no big dipper, or the flickering planets of Jupiter and Saturn to gaze upon. Throw in the uncertainty of the never-ending Coronavirus pandemic, our country's unrest with racism, and a contentious looming election there seems no end to the dreariness of the evening. As Edgar Allan Poe wrote in his poem The Lake, "Whose solitary soul could make An Eden of that dim lake."

There are no bells and whistles on a moonlight paddle. No rush of adrenalin like whitewater. It's a tranquil experience and an escape from the commotion of the world, all while being lost in space between the stars in the heavens and the serene of the lake.
I experienced it just a few nights before as I watched the waxing moon appear over the pines at Sly Park Recreation Area near Pollock Pines, Ca. while leading a small kayaking group on Lake Jenkinson. As the sun sank into the horizon of tall trees, the powerboats sped away leaving behind a placid pool both calm and tranquil. The only sounds I heard were the gentle whisper of hushed voices and the whooshing of their paddles as the kayaks glided along. Like Linus said in It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, "Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see."

Author Luanne Rice wrote, "There's something enchanted about night. All those heavenly bodies, shooting stars, the crescent moon, celestial phenomenon."
Even on a gloomy night, I found that same magic that I have always had on every night paddle. As the light faded the world transformed into a silver a black panorama. Nature’s symphony of frogs and crickets singing from the unseen shore did even need the moon. My feelings of tension and worried thoughts seem to disappear into the night air.

But, even when you least expect it, the moon never fails to dazzle.
"I see it," called out a member of my party as we paddled back to the access, "There it is!"
Coming over the trees and glowing like a red sun the moon came through to end our night's paddle. Better late than never.

We are always looking for guest bloggers to share the stories and pictures of their adventure.

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FOLLOWING THE LEADER

Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." Robert Louis Stevenson

On January 1st, 1806 on the Pacific Coast at Fort Clatsop Captian Meriwether Lewis was awoken to a volley of rifle fire to usher in the New Year. Since leaving St. Louis in May 1804 the Corps of Discovery had done the almost impossible by forging a trail across the continent. The new year now promised a return trip on the second part of their expedition.

"Our repast of this day, though better than that of Christmas," wrote Lewis, consisted principally in the anticipation of the 1st day of January 1807, when, in the bosom of our friends, we hope to participate in the mirth and hilarity of the day."

Through his leadership along with fellow captain William Clark, the Corps of Discovery's accomplishments were mostly successful as they had explored and mapped, gathered information and developed relations as emissaries of the United States to the native tribes while on their way to the Pacific. Their skills as leaders were without question was the main reason their journey so far was a triumph. But it was far from over. They were only half done.

Like the Corps of Discovery, as the calendar year turns and launches into 2020, I feel I'm a midway point. It's been now ten years since I started kayaking seriously. It started with a small fire and still burns with energetic enthusiasm, but I still feel I have a long way to go.

But, with the assurance that this trip is worth the effort, I'm being led by a solid foundation of leaders, teachers, and confidants who continue to guide and encourage me along the way.

This past year it was once again amazing to paddle with likes of Dan Crandall, Kim Sprague, John Weed, Paul Camozzi and the rest of the gang at Current Adventures Kayaking School and Trips and The River Store. We added the Great American Triathlon as we continued the legacy of Eppie's Great Race and enjoyed a fantastic season at Sly Park Paddle Rentals on Jenkinson Lake. In 2020, we're hoping to expand these services even more just get more folks like you on the water.

Are we there yet? It's a question Bayside Adventure Sports, Greg Weisman often hears. He is going to hear even more this coming year as he takes new challenges and exciting new trips including one to Israel.

As for the group's kayaking division, John Taylor has been a true inspiration and awesome paddling partner. He makes every day on the water with his easy-going style and enthusiasm a special day. We look forward to several more overnight paddling trips after the success of our Loon Lake adventure.

A big thank you goes out to our 2020's guest bloggers, Kathy Bunton, Dan Crandall, Julie Mitravich, and for a great Q/As with John Connelly and Daniel Fox. They certainly have made OAM better by providing thoughtful and compelling views into the world of paddling. We certainly look forward to future posts from them in 2020.

I would also like to thank, Canoe & Kayak Magazine, AquaBound, American Rivers and NRS Web, for sharing my posts on their social media pages. It's always a fun Friday for me when post Outside Adventure to the Max. Thanks for helping us spread the word about our weekly post.

My biggest thanks, of course, goes to my wife Debbie. I couldn't do any of my kayaking or adventuring without her love, support and encouragement. One could never have a more true friend and companion. I look forward to more days paddling side by side.

It would be some seven months later after a frightening encounter with the Blackfeet Indians, that Lewis and his small squad were making a hasty retreat by traveling more than 90 miles on horseback in less than 24 hours to rejoin the main party.

"I encouraged them (his men) by telling them that our own lives," wrote Lewis,  "As well as those of our friends and fellow travelers, depended on our exertions at this moment; they were alert soon prepared the horses and we again resumed our march."

Like them, we proceed on into the year 2020.

So as we travel into the new decade, I offer you what this foundation of friends continues to give me. Be positive, stay optimistic and overcome your weariness with courage and motivation to continue.

Happy New Year! Now proceed on.

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2019 IN REVIEW: PICTURES OF THE YEAR

Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more. ---Vincent Van Gogh 

 

I'm a sucker for that golden light. You know, that time of the evening when the low hanging sun burns in a smokey orange and reddish amber over the water. When the sky's palette turns into dimming purplish luster offset by the soft warm glow of the clouds. When kayaks and their paddlers are silhouetted in shadows or backlit with fuzzy bright halos. When the water's reflection is in that a radiant splendor of a hallucinogenic melting ember of tranquility.

Lake Jenkinson

For those reasons alone it makes that time on the lake or river a bit more magical and mysterious than any other part of the day.
Most others have already left the water, So away from the crowd, my images are clean and crisp, but mostly serene and tranquil.

Trust me, when I see golden light like that, it's easy to see the pictures. Like Ansel Adams said, “Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.”

In my paddling days and outside endeavors in 2019, I got to those natural places often and sometimes just in time and sometimes with all the time in the world to see all its glory about me. Every destination whether new or even after I have visited many times before came with a new adventure that I'll carry with me for a lifetime. And because I saw it from the perspective of my canoe or kayak, well that was just an added bonus.

The Lower American River

As the old saying goes, "You cannot step into the same river twice." After this past year, I can only agree after I often ending up in many of the same places I had visited before. But as noted, those adventures were never the same, for it was the journey that mattered most.

"It's the thing about river running that I've always loved the most," wrote adventure author and paddler Peter Heller, "You go into the country on a natural magic carpet, moving at a speed that is normal to all its denizens, and if you quiet, you can be absolutely silent in a way you can never be walking, and if you are on wilderness river, you slip past scenes you would never, ever witness any other way."

In every outing this year I encountered a new and dynamic experience, whether being a quiet Sunday morning on Sly Park's Lake Jenkinson or a brilliant sunset on Lake Natoma. I have paddled along the pristine shoreline of Loon Lake and hiked a scenic waterfall trail high in the Sierra.

Bayside Adventure Sports on Lake Natoma

While alone in my solitude, I enjoyed the quick water and the slog of the portage back upriver on reinvigorating in perspective trek on the Lower American River. I mostly came to appreciate all the companionships with others as they shared my same passion for the water. From the fun-time glow and sunset paddles with Bayside Adventure Sports to all my interaction with the folks and clients from Current Adventures and Sly Park Rentals Paddle to every paddler, I have met along the way. They have inspired and motivated me and I only hoped that I have inspirited them to get outside and explore and cherish their neighborhood waterway.

As American photojournalist, Steve McCurry said, My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” So as 2019 draws to a close, I look back at some of my favorite images from this past year.

Loon Lake with Bayside Adventure Sports

Hot Springs Creek Falls

The Lower American River

Lake Jenkinson

Lake Jenkinson at Sly Park

The American River

The Mokelumne River

Glow Paddle on Lake Natoma

Lake Jenkinson

Lake Jenkinson

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KAYAK SUMMER 2019

The music of the far-away summer flutters around the Autumn seeking its former nest. --- Rabindranath Tagore

Please stay a bit longer summer, I don't want to see you go. I want a few more quiet morning floating along in a canoe. A couple additional lazier hot afternoons by the water and several extra-long summer nights sitting around a campfire watching the moon and stars. So sorry Autumn, but I'm just not ready for your cool days, rainy nights and falling leaves.

Canoe morning on Lake Jenkinson

Yes, I'm not ready to it give all up. I've grown accustomed to my shirtless and sandal days at the boathouse, my kayaking evenings at the lake, waiting and watching for the sun to set and the moon to arise. And please, please don't take away my meandering times on the river listening for the rumble of rapids.

Summer 2019, by far exceeded my expectations with a season of fun adventures on or near the water. At Sly Park Recreation Area, I worked the weekend boat rentals for my second straight season sporting large-brimmed straw hat and zebra tanned feet from produced by my Keen sandals. There were some slow easy goings spells, tranquil canoe mornings along with busy and brisk business is good times intermixed throughout my summer. Like a kid at camp, the best part, of course, was being on Lake Jenkinson where canoeing, kayaking, and swimming were all part of my daily grind.

Current Adventures training nights

Last summer, when Eppies called it quits, I thought my training nights and boat prep were over. But, when The Great American Triathlon picked up the baton to continue the great race of running, biking and paddling along The American River Parkway, Dan Crandall and our crew at Current Adventures Kayaking School & Trips geared up for another summer run in training paddlers for the river leg and a way to navigate those pesky San Juan Rapids.

For the new and old faces with Bayside Adventure Sports, a Christian based outreach group, my summer leading them offered several day trips and evening outings to area lakes, an annual run down the Lower American River and no-frills expedition to Loon Lake, where we were treated to some great kayaking camping and amazing sunsets. For years it has been one favorite places to visit, now it's one of theirs.

Bayside Adventure Sports at Loon Lake.

Waterfalls and waterfall trails seemed to be a focal point of my summer. The cascading Sly Park Falls was always a hit for all of those I brought there on kayak outings and after-hours paddles. Who doesn't love a hike to a waterfall? While on a rare trip, where Debbie and I didn't take any boats, we still found our way to the stream when we hiked the waterfall trail at Grover Hot Springs State Park. On a hot summer day after our trek, there was nothing better than kicking off shoes and dipping our toes or better yet getting to stand in the chilly shower.

Lake Jenkinson

"All in all, it was a never to be forgotten summer," wrote Canadian author L.M. Montgomery, "One of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going."
Montgomery, best known for a series of novels for chronicling the life of the fictional Anne Shirley set on Prince Edward Island, always painted summers on the island "as near to perfection as anything can come in this world." But she also took delight in Autumn when she wrote, "I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

Yes, no matter how I regard it, next Monday marks the first day of fall, which of course subsequently, is the official end of summer. Thanks for the memories. To remind me and you, of the summer not to be forgotten, I picked out some of my favorite images created over the past few months that should keep those memories burning bright.

 

Here is a look at some of our favorite images from this past summer. 

 

Bayside Adventure Sports on Lake Natoma

 

Paul at Sly Park

Loon Lake

Lake Jenkinson

The Lower American River

Moonlight paddle on Lake Jenkinson with Current Adventures

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