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.

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AN ESSENTIAL CHOICE: CHOOSING THE PFD THAT BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS

The PFD wall at the River Store

First things first. If you know you're going out on the water, whether in a kayak, canoe, or SUP you should already know you you need a life jacket or personal flotation device, AKA a PFD.
According to the World Health Organization, Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. Children, males, and individuals with increased access to water are most at risk of drowning. 
So think safety folks. As the saying goes, "The best lifejacket is the one you will wear." 
Personal flotation devices (PFD) have come along way since you buckled on that dingy orange big and bulky lifejacket at summer camp for your first canoe trip. Today's PFDs are more comfortable and available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.

Kristin Kettenhofen

But with so many styles and features, how do you choose a PFD that is just right for you?
We floated a few questions to The River Store manager Kristin Kettenhofen to help us out with some expert advice on selecting a PFD.

OAM: What are people looking for in a PFD when they come into The River Store?
KK: We get a wide variety of people coming into the store looking to purchase a PFD from long time river guides to people up for the day wanting to go inner-tubing. Most people I would say are looking for the best "bang for their buck" so to speak.

OAM: There are a lot of PFDs on the wall. How do you break it down to the customer to the one that works best?
KK: They don't make just one style of PFD for a reason! There are so many different body types, personal needs, and overall comfort that are to be considered when getting a PFD. What one of us at the shop may view as the best fitting and most comfortable PFD may not be how the next customer feels when they try it on.
I break it down by first asking what they are going to be doing on the water and if they need a rescue PFD of non-rescue PFD. From there, I will talk to them about pocket space and any other features on the PFD they may be looking for.
Pocket space is usually the make it or break it point on a PFD purchase for a lot of people. From there, I will have them try on a few different styles that hit most of their wants/needs and we try to narrow it down to the perfect PFD for them.

OAM: They all seem to have some great features. What are some of your favorite in today's PFDs?
KK: I personally own an Astral Green Jacket and a Stohlquist Rocker. Both are big sellers here at the shop. I find them both equally comfortable, useful, and stylish. Because let's be honest, looking good on the river is important too! 

The Green Jacket is a big seller because of its large clamshell pocket, which can hold almost everything you want to put in it!

OAM: Describe the perfect fit for a PFD.
KK: I like to describe the perfect fit for a PFD like a nice hug. Not too tight but not too loose! That guideline is easy for people to understand and has helped get a lot of people into the best fit PFD for them.

OAM: Everyone knows men and women have different bodies. Tell us how the PFD makers accommodate their women customers?
KK: There are a handful of women's specific PFDs on the market like the Stohlquist Betsea, Astral Layla, Kokatat Naiad. What makes them different from a unisex PFD is they typically have thinner foam in the chest and for some, they have a shorter torso cut as most women do not have a long torso.

OAM: What's the difference between regular PFDs and rescue PFDs? 
KK: The most obvious difference between a rescue PFD and a non-rescue PFD is the quick release safety belt that is on every rescue PFD. This belt is a webbing strap with a high visibility quick release buckle and a metal O-ring that is secured to the PFD and wraps around the wearer's midsection.
Rescue PFDs are designed for special use and it is highly recommended that you only use a rescue PFD once you have taken swift water rescue training to learn how to use the rescue PFD among other valuable things that are taught in those courses.
The not an obvious difference between a rescue PFD and a non-rescue PFD is the USCG rating. A non-rescue PFD rated for use on the river is a Type III PFD. The USCG defines a Type III PFD as follows: For general boating or the specialized activity that is marked on the device such as water skiing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and others. Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue.
A rescue PFD also known as a Type V PFD is defined by the USCG as: Only for special uses or conditions.
It is important to know that a Type V PFD is everything that a Type III PFD is just with some additional features including the quick release belt and typically more pocket space.

OAM: The customer says they may want to rescue vest, but do they really need one?
KK: There are pros to having a rescue PFD if you know how to use all the features the jacket may have.

But, when people are looking at buying a rescue PFD, I will always ask if they have taken a swift rescue course. If they haven't, I encourage them to take one within the year, if they do purchase the rescue PFD. 

At the end of the day, if someone does want to purchase a rescue PFD, it's up to them. We are here to educate everyone as best we can on what gear will be best for them.

OAM: Does the customer need a new one? How do you school-up a customer that it might be time to update their PFD?
KK: If their PFD is as old or older than me then it is FOR SURE time to get a new one. Many people come by the shop with PFDs that are over 10 years old, which we recommend that they replace.
For your average boater, the PFDs have a lifespan of around 5 years, give or take. For your above average boater, someone who is on the water 200+ days out of the year, replacing your PFD every few years isn't abnormal
A good way to judge if your PFD needs to be replaced is to take a look at how the sun faded the fabric is and if there are any stitches that have busted or broken buckles.

Another way to tell if your PFD needs to be replaced and the most important function of a PFD is how well it floats in you flat water, let alone on whitewater. 

If you wear your PFD in a pool and it's barely floating you above the water, it won't float you in whitewater the way that it should. That is a good indication that the PFD needs to be replaced.

Today’s PFDs are comfortable and versatile. Finding the right one for you and your paddling style is essential when getting out on to the water. Choose the PFD that best fits your needs. If it's comfortable and well fitted you’ll actually enjoy wearing and never want to leave the shore without wearing it.


If you want more information about Kristin Kettenhofen recommendations for PFDs, you can contact her at The River Store at info@TheRiverStore.com

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COVID SUMMER

Believe in them, for they are the mountain-principles and alter-piles of life. Breathe the air that is freshened on their heights. Drink of the streams that flow fresh from the channels in their sides. And in every season of doubt, temptation, or despair, lift up thine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh thy help. --- Thomas Starr King

A week after my from returned from my annual week-long trip to a rugged Sierra Nevada mountain lake east of Lake Tahoe, I'm still in a bit of haze, if not a funk. The kayaking and campout trek to Loon Lake's pristine cobalt-blue waters, textured granite shores, and awe-inspiring views was my most anticipated trip of the summer. Who wouldn't feel a post-trip blues leaving such a place of beauty and tranquility?

Scott MacGregor called it a happy-sad period. "Happy because dreams came true," he wrote in Paddling Magazine, "Horizons were broadened. Challenges crushed. Confidence boosted. Friendship strengthed. But sad because it is suddenly over."

Lingering at the boat access looking over the lake last week, I relived the highlights of the trips through my mind. Our first-class steak dinner, those amazing sunsets, those pesky bees, one awesome hike, and a spectacular view of the Perseid Meteor Shower while lounged along the rocky beach looking towards the heavens.
Packing up the boats and driving away, it was time to slip back to reality. My escape had only been short-lived. And while the trip might have changed and recharged me, I'd still be returning to all the real-life pressures and stresses the world has to offer, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic.

In truth, I didn't even escape the effects of the pandemic while on the trip into the wilderness area. I was greeted by mask-wearing hikers and witnessed people camping, where in the past years those camping spots were always vacated.
"It's COVID," said a member of my group, "Simply put, there is not much to do this summer, except go camping."

Since early summer when many of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were eased the great outdoors has been attracting people who are out using the beaches, forests, and mountains in unprecedented numbers. Experts say if proper guidelines are implemented the risk of exposure can be reduced.
“The risk is definitely lower outdoors,” says Kimberly Prather, Ph.D., an atmospheric chemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, told Elemental, “The primary reason is there’s just such a large volume of clean air.”

Camping and dispersed camping is all the rage this summer as folks attempt to hunker down in the quest to flee COVID-19. Campgrounds have been full throughout the summer including even remote sites normally overlooked.
"We’re seeing a level of use well beyond a normal year,” Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokesman Chris Havel told the Salem Statesman Journal, “It’s like having the crowds you see for a holiday weekend, except all the time.”
With no amenities, the National Forest Service in some areas is struggling this summer to keep up trash removal when the campers don’t pick up after themselves.

Public officials have also expressed frustration with people who aren't social distancing amid the pandemic who are overcrowding California's beaches and riverways. Last month, After 313 vehicles were counted along a road that had space for 12 cars, an Auburn area swimming hole has been made off-limits to motorists while several beaches around the Monterey Bay Area will be closing this weekend to reinforce social distancing and reduce large public gatherings, as cities anticipate large influxes of visitors.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said, "We're not minimizing mixing. It throws shivers up my spine. Here we are making all this progress, and it can be done away," during a press conference after mentioning the crowds along the Lower American River in Sacramento recently made it look like "spring break."

My thoughts at the boat access persisted even into the next day while working at the boathouse at Sly Park. The summer season is slowly winding down. Autumn comes without warning even when the days are at their warmest. There’s something about the fall season that signifies all things new and a fresh start. But this year, as I all suffer the symptoms of COVID-fatigue, all I really want is for things to get back to normal.

It's a little bittersweet to say goodbye to the mountain lake. Hopefully, I can pack away enough memories to get me by until next time.

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OVER THE BOW: LAKE TAHOE

"When quietly floating upon the placid surface of Lake Tahoe, the largest of the "gems of the Sierra - nestled as it is, amidst a huge amphitheater of mountain peaks - it is difficult to say whether we are more powerfully impressed with the genuine child-like awe and wonder inspired by the noble grandeur of nature, or with the calmer and more gentle sense of the beautiful produced by the less imposing aspects of the surrounding scenery."  John Le Conte  

I have kayaked bigger lakes by far. Under Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior, Lake of the Wood on the border of U.S. and Canada and into sea caves along Lake Michigan in Door County Wisconsin.  All of those lakes are massive in size.  At their edge, you look out into a sea swell as far as you can see. The horizon falls off into waves. However, at Lake Tahoe, you look across to see the gleaming Sierra Nevada Mountains rising from its blue depths and feel the majesty of the place. American writer, Mark Twain described the thoughts we all must experience when seeing the lake for the first time or one hundredth.

"...at last the Lake burst upon us—a noble sheet of blue water lifted six thousand three hundred feet above the level of the sea, and walled in by a rim of snow-clad mountain peaks that towered aloft full three thousand feet higher still! ... As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords."

You will need waterproof pocket Thesaurus to come up with all the different types of color blue you will see when paddling around the lake. Its cobalt color was long credited to the unusual clarity of the water, however surprising new research suggests that the real explanation lies with algae that live in the lake.

“The result was totally unexpected, since we all expected that clarity and blueness of the lake is correlated,” Dr. Shohei Watanabe, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Davis, told The Huffington Post, “Clarity is mainly controlled by fine inorganic sediments but blueness is mainly controlled by algal populations.”
Using help from NASA, Wantanabe, measured the lake’s blueness and then combined this “blueness index” with measurements of a Secchi disk, a white disk commonly used to measure its transparency of water that remains visible when it's lowered into it. His results showed that the bluer the lake, the lower the clarity of its water, and the lake is actually bluest when algae concentration is low, suggesting a possible need to change in conservation efforts, which traditionally have focused on controlling sediment to keep the lake water clear.

The blueness of the lake is extraordinary along the massive granite walls of D.L. Bliss State Park's Rubicon Point. There it is hard for me to take my eyes off the water as it changes in hues blues as I paddle along with my son Taylor. Under the point, it is the most stunning shade of indigo I think I have ever seen. North of fabled Emerald Bay, this area is a  popular spot for boaters as well as swimmers, who brave the cool waters. Kayaks and speedboats rock along in the waves along the shoreline. For me, finally paddling towards the horizon of mountains proves to be an exhilarating experience.

"This place is spectacular because it is one of the highest, deepest, oldest and purest lakes in the world." said President Barack Obama told a crowd of about 9,000 at the 20th annual Lake Tahoe Summit,  "It’s no wonder that for thousands of years, this place has been a spiritual one. For the Washoe people, it is the center of their world. And just as this space is sacred to Native Americans, it should be sacred to all Americans."

He challenged all of us, to keep the lake's spirit alive through conservation and combating climate change to protect its pristine views, keep its air pure, and most certainly its waters clear and blue.

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

This article was originally published Outside Adventure to the Max on September 9, 2016.

 

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THE PATH OF THE MOON OVER WATER: Tips On Paddling At Night

Joys come from simple and natural things: mists over meadows, sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water. -- Sigurd F. Olson

The two best reasons to ever buy a kayak rather than just renting one are for the stunning sunsets and splendid sunrises. Those first and last hours of sunlight, that photographers refer to as the "Golden Hour" creates a magnificent mood across the water as the sun slips behind the horizon or climbs steadily into the sky while gliding silently across the lake soaking in twilight’s peaceful enchantment.

On the other hand, there is magic in the night. After the sun sets in a fading crimson glow, while the rising full moon is casting an ethereal light upon the water and giving us just another reason to stay out on the water. There is a peaceful sense of stillness. The boat traffic along with the wind has died down while the birds and animals settle in till morning, leaving the nighttime paddler lost in space between the stars in the heavens and the serene of the water.

"It's one of my favorite activities," wrote Canadian paddler Harvey Chris Wittenberg, "Nothing better than glassy conditions during a full moon, when natural illumination is greatest. The only sounds you hear are the surf or your paddle breaking the water. A very serene "zen-like" moment."

Night paddling is not the time to explore new places. As the light fades as the world transforms into a silver a black panorama and keeping track of your bearings in the dark can be hard to correct. Distances are harder to determine and landmarks can be difficult to see. Wittenberg recommends, to scout out your route ahead of time and leave glow stick on a rock or tree at your launch point to help you find your way back in the pitch black.

"I've had a few times where it was not easy to find my launch point," writes Wittenberg, "Make sure if it is a new area to check it out during daylight first and leave a float plan along with an expected time you'll come back with a loved one,"

While calm inland lakes and protected sea bays usually work the best for a moonlight paddling trip. If choosing a river, it should be free of snags and rapids with a take-out point easy to spot in low light conditions unless you plan to paddle back against the current to your original access point.

For coastal tours, be aware of any changes in the weather that might make any part paddle more hazardous in wind, waves, and tide. Also, stay out of commercial shipping lanes. If available, try using GPS mapping to help you identify your location at night.

Consult the U.S Coast Guard's Navigation Rules and have on hand sounding devices, like a whistle or air horn, and some sort of telecommunication device, like a VHF radio or cell phone in a waterproof case and an emergency beacon to alert others who might be far away. Insect repellent and a jacket for cool weather are always a good idea and always wear your PFD.

The most important part kayaking at night, it's essential that you remain visible not only other boat traffic but also members of your own kayaking party. To help the group stay close together, place a battery or an inflatable solar light such as the Luci Light on your bow and stern. Keep in mind that artificial lighting actually hinders our night vision. Keep only the red light to preserve night vision.

Also, you can wear a bright LED headlamp and carry a reserve flashlight. If another watercraft approaches, you can turn your headlamp in that direction to alert other boats to your presence, but keep it off when kayaking or use the red light option to ensure the best view of the illuminating moon.

"It's good to carry a small light on the back of your PFD along with a headlamp," wrote Wittenberg, "I have fluorescent stickers on front and back of my kayak as well as on paddle because the paddle is the highest thing people will see. The best fluorescent stickers are the red and white ones you can get at a Marine store that work in sunlight and darkness, to put on either side of your kayak. Purchase a cheap green glow stick (for the front of the kayak) and a red one for the back."

Studying the mystery of the moon and stillness of the water while gliding silently along in night's enchantment is something every paddler should experience. In the dark, hearing nature’s symphony of frogs and crickets singing from the unseen shore while the moonbeams shimmer across the pond can be a truly magical adventure.


What to go...Check with your outfitter or local state park to see if they offer any moonlit paddle nights. Across the country, many of them provide guided sunset and full moon paddling sessions and with all the gear for a reasonable price. Northern California's Current Adventures has been taking paddlers of all skill levels on their popular moonlit kayaking excursion on Lake Natoma and Lake Jenkinson at Sly Park Recreation Area near Sacramento.

This article was originally published Outside Adventure to the Max on February 23, 2018.

 

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ALL YOU CAN PADDLE: PADDLE TOWN SACRAMENTO

Ever go to a restaurant buffet and you're almost overwhelmed by the selection of items? There is American, there is Mexican, Asian, and Italian. There is seafood, fried food, barbecue, and even pizza. I mean there is something for everyone and so much to sample, that there is no way you can get everything all on your plate for just one sitting.

That's what it's like when it comes to the Sacramento area and the American River. It's a year-round paddling smorgasbord for everyone's taste and appetite that will leave you stuffed yet craving more.

Adrenaline junkies will lick their chops for whitewater delicacies of the three forks of the American River, only an hour away from Sacramento. During the spring and summer, the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork are the area playgrounds for whitewater kayakers and rafters of all different levels. Commercial whitewater rafting outfitters offer a wide variety of river experiences, while The River Store, provides a cafeteria of boating supplies, boat demos, and kayaking instruction.

"There are multiple runs of varying difficulty," says area paddler Martin Beebee, "All of which are easily accessible: from moderate Class I and II rapids, perfect for learning to navigate whitewater, to Class V runs with plenty of challenges. So there’s a variety to choose from, depending on what kind of adventure you’re in the mood for."

South Fork of the American River

>The South Fork dishes up a recipe for some serious fun in its first five miles from the Chili Bar access filled full of exciting Class III whitewater with rapids with scary names like Meat-Grinder and Trouble Maker. The so-called easy section serves appetizer through the valley consisting of several Class II rapids including Barking Dog, before gorging down "The Gorge", the river's most challenging series of Class III rapids descending at 33-feet per mile toward Folsom Lake.

For area sea kayakers, Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma are hors-d'oeuvres of delight while prepping for a big trip to San Francisco Bay or Tamales Bay, while the rec and SUP paddlers will revel in the classic comfort of both lakes' bays and sloughs.

Folsom Lake

Forget summer weekends. Come to Folsom Lake either mid-week or wait until late fall or early spring to escape the speed boat and jet ski crowd. Out in the open, it can feel like the ocean with the wind and waves, but there are a few quiet and scenic spots like on the lake's north arm worth exploring. You might have to choke down the Delta Breeze, but you will savor the sunsets.

And if Folsom Lake is a little too hard to swallow, all paddlers will gobble up Lake Natoma.

"Lake Natoma is great for many reasons," said local paddler and photographer Tom Gomes, "Living in the Sacramento area, we are so fortunate to have such easy access to such a resource that offers incredible views. It’s big enough to get a good exercise paddle and there are no powerboats to compete with."

This narrow and popular 5-mile lake is the main entree of the area's paddling venues. It's an a-la-carte of racing shells crews, outrigger canoes, SUP paddlers and kayaks and sailboats sprinkled over the waterway. Outfitters use the lake for classes and moonlit tours while racing crews have been known to hog-up much of the lake a few weekends a year.

Lake Natoma

Want just a taste of the lake's fare? Kayaks and SUPs are available for rent at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center. Sit back and enjoy the sun or go a nature safari while exploring the lake's sloughs.
"It’s very scenic with more wildlife than anywhere else," added Gomes, "I paddle the Natoma sloughs quite often, but it never ceases to amaze me how removed I feel from the real world while realizing that I’m right in the middle of a densely populated urban area. I feel like I’m Huck Finn, exploring uncharted waters with abundant wildlife, just waiting for the alligator to swim by."

The lake with its three California State Parks' access points is lined with biking and hiking trails encompassing its shores. Bird watchers will feast one's eyes at sightings of geese, herons, egrets, cormorants, and bald eagles flying and nesting along its banks. The lake is home to many established rookeries to nesting colonies while migrating birds arrive in the spring and stay throughout the summer.

The American River is a sweet treat for everyone. This 23-mile recreational waterway meanders through the heart of Sacramento along The American River Parkway. Seasoned with a good mix of fast-moving currents, along with some slow and lazy flows to satisfy every water enthusiast's cravings. Not just for paddlers, more than 5 million visitors annually indulge in this wildlife and recreation area.

The Lower American River

"I love paddling on the American River especially in the off-season when the wildlife is stirring around and the people are not," said Sacramento paddler Lynn Halsted. "Early morning or late afternoon and evening are always my favorite times. Watching the river otters and beaver swim around and doing their thing while I watch from a distance is magical."
Just downstream from the Sunrise Access, San Juan Rapids spices up the river for boaters and summer-time rafters. A constant Class II rapid stretching out more than halfway across the river creates a long and vibrant wave train and chaotic churning eddy that can scarf up unsuspecting paddlers.

San Juan Rapids

Further down, the river is peppered with a few ripples, but mostly it's an easy slow-baked urban paddle all the way down to the Sacramento River, serving up views of bridges and large pleasure boats to mark the progress to Discovery Park and the confluence of the two rivers. From there, nothing is stopping you from having a pie in the sky dream of going on a paddling binge all the way to the Golden Gate.

So whatever boating you have might a hankering for, in Sacramento, you'll be able to fill your plate and come back for seconds, again and again, to satisfy your paddling hunger and nourishment.

And don't worry about taking too much. There is enough for everyone.

This article was originally published in Canoe & Kayak, May 7, 2018, and was published in Outside Adventure to the Max on June 8, 19, 2018.

 

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CANOE MORNING

Thus the Birch Canoe was builded

In the valley, by the river,

In the bosom of the forest;

And the forest's life was in it,

All its mystery and its magic,

All the lightness of the birch-tree,

All the toughness of the cedar,

All the larch's supple sinews;

And it floated on the river

Like a yellow leaf in Autumn,

Like a yellow water-lily.

  Paddles none had Hiawatha,

Paddles none he had or needed,

For his thoughts as paddles served him,

And his wishes served to guide him;

Swift or slow at will he glided.

---  from the Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It was another quiet early weekend morning on the lake that I have come to look forward too. Just turning my truck into the park and driving with the windows down along the lake's conifer wooded shoreline as giving me a feeling of jubilation as the earthy scent of pine delights my scent of smell. It's the perfume of the forest. So sharp, so sweet, and ever so refreshing as anyone who has taken a therapeutic walk in the woods will tell you.

Arriving at the boathouse and to access I gazed down the path to the water below. The lake glistened a golden glow in the bright morning sun silhouetted by the rising row of pines. Where there were ripples on its surface there are brief flashes of diamonds. I inhale the view of tranquility taking in both its sight and sound. It's time to reset my body, mind, and soul because my rush to the lake is over.

I'm not the first, nor will I be last to find that elation about the beauty of water the forest. A nineteen century Wesleyan Missionary in Northern Canada Egerton Ryerson Young called it one of those sights that seldom comes to us in a life, where everything is in perfect unison.

"I was entranced by the loveliness of the sight," Young wrote in his book By Canoe and Dog-Train Among the Cree and Saulteaux Indians, "The reflections of the canoe and men and of the island and rocks were 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 move."


The upper lake part of Lake Jenkinson is much narrower and quieter than its larger sister lake nestled in the picturesque setting of Sly Park near Pollock Pines, California. Divided by a narrow channel, the larger the rounded lower lake is home to the speedboats, picnic, and campgrounds and swimming beach while the upper part features a path to a waterfall, two nesting eagles and in the morning when the lake is still, a place to canoe.

Where do we come from and where are we going?" wrote filmmaker and canoe guru Bill Mason, "There is no better place and no better way to follow this quest into the realm of spirit than along the lakes and rivers of the North American wilderness in a canoe.”

Pushing away from the dock at the boathouse, the Old Town canoe is transformed into a time machine with each quiet stroke of my wooden paddle as it takes me back to the way it used to be.  My morning solo paddles are a reflective time as I ponder the water, the trees, and the sky. In a way, it's sad that so many sleepy campers just up the way, miss this time on the water.

The calming emerald green waters design what looks like a moving painting as it ripples and shimmers and reflects on its fluid canvas. The gentle sound of my paddle dips and singing birds create soothing magic of serenity. But then again, I have had a few mornings when a hurried fishing boat passes by with its droning engine desecrating the morning's tranquility and sanctuary. At this time of the morning, the only way to honor the lake and its transparent placid flat waters is by canoe with only a paddle.

“The movement of a canoe is like a reed in the wind," wrote canoeist and naturalist, Sigurd Olson, "Silence is part of it, and the sounds of lapping water, bird songs, and wind in the trees. It is part of the medium through which it floats, the sky, the water, the shores."

Sweeping my paddle, I glide among the ducks and geese at the little bay across from the boathouse. Below, I can look down into its crystal depths and see a few fish darting away from the movement of the canoe. If I'm lucky, one of the neighboring eagles will fly over while fishing the lake from above. I can't really go much further, nor do I really want too.

I find solace in the just floating idly in the little bay watching and listening to the creation about me. As writer John Graves pointed out, "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. . . . Chances for being quiet nowadays are limited.”

Of course, the time is fleeting on the water. As the sun comes up, the park wakes up, as folks seek the relief of the lake's cool waters to escape the summer's blistering heat. I take a few more sips of my coffee before I make one big giant turning stroke back to the dock.


If you want to go on a canoe or kayak trip at Sly Park contact:
Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips 
PHONE: 530-333-9115 or Toll-Free: 888-452-9254
FAX: 530-333-1291
USPS: Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, CA 95651
info@currentadventures.com
owner Dan Crandall dan@kayaking.com
Or book online at currentadventures.com

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This article was originally published in Outside Adventure to the Max on July 26, 2019.