Sunset - July 30, 2006

We started for Old Woman Creek
but the weather was thunderstormish
so we checked the point where the creek
flows over the sand bar into the lake.
An amazingly rapid current going out
despite the wind and waves coming in.
And we didn't unload the kayaks
but instead drove on to Huron
and watched a steel drum band
from Findley Ohio play a Sunday concert
and then to the Vermilion Beach
to watch an amazing sunset
with the usual mixed crowd.
The kayaks were washed by the rain
but never were unloaded from the car.
It was a good evening anyway.

Old Woman Creek - July 24, 2006

Two nights in a row - we are back.
And this was a great discovery,
thanks to Bruce the Dog Sitter.
We observed three eagles,
two adults and one immature.
And two of them went fishing in the lake.
Paddled from the landing near the lake,
up the creek and under several bridges
including one railroad (with a very loud train).
Lots of blue herons and geese and one muskrat.
Returned to the landing area and then out on the lake
since it was very calm (where we saw the eagles hunt).
After tying up the boats we watched a sunset
with the crowd on the Vermilion beach.

Findley Lake - July 23, 2006

It's been two weeks.
Time to chase the green and blue herons.
Nice evening as the thin fog rolled in.
We pretended the clouds on the horizon
Were the mountains we already missed.

Findley Lake - July 9, 2006

Just a warm-up for our western trip,
And a way to watch a decent sunset.
But counted seven wallowing carp,
Surrounding my kayak before exploding away.
And chased the Great Blue and Green Herons and ducks,
A bit skittish but fun to stalk with the camera.

Rocky River - June 25, 2006

Meant to kayak Presque Isle, Pennsylvania,
but as we drove up to it the rains arrived.
It just didn't look inviting.
So we kept on heading West,
and aimed for the Rocky River Reservation
(part of the Cleveland Metro Parks)
where the Rocky River empties into Lake Erie.

We'd been there before boating just out
to the mouth of the river.
This time Nicki led
and we spent considerable time actually on the lake
bobbing a bit (which made it a challenge to photo and steer).
Ended by going a little ways upriver and finally found a heron.
Nice sunset and we docked just before dark.

Findley Lake - June 14, 2006

We thought it was going to be a quiet mid-week night,
until the herons (blue & green) started appearing everywhere,
and every quiet muddy shallow spot of water had giant carp
exploding away at the almost touch of my boat.

And then there was the "water moccasin"
that the country-western fisherman near the dock
identified and chased away with a stick.
I didn't see it and it wasn't real.

Findley Lake - June 11, 2006

Great Blue Herons, Turtles, an Egret,
and even geese craning their necks
from a nesting field loaded with mostly unseen goslings,
as they warily watch our approach.

Findley Lake - May 7, 2006

First Sunday in May on Findley Lake.
Geese on the water, an egret (snowy or great?),
And our usual great blue heron very close.
Time to break out the better camera.

The End of April

A nice way to end April,
Creeping up on one elderly heron,
Who didn't really seem to mind
A few photos as the boat drifted closer.

And yes, a small green heron fishing,
And a squad of exploding carp in the shallows,
And lots of squawking geese and waiting buzzards,
And a family eating pizza while fishing.

Turtles, Osprey, & Possum

Something always happens at Findley.
You finally decide that turtles are enough,
Then the osprey decides to hunt.
And at home a possum visits our birdfeeders.
A full day and Spring has come.

Back on the Water

First time out for the 2006 season.
Back to Findley Lake to check on the heron situation.
Only a few and they were skittish.
Even the geese expressed a bit of resentment to our intrusion.
We did our usual circuit round the lake though we had to fight the wind the first half.
We had just commented on the solitude and peacefulness when there was a fire a few miles south and the Wellington fire truck sirens could be heard just beyond the tree line.
There was another kayak couple but they were much more professional than us - wet suits and spray skirts.
Not sure what they were prepared for - and they didn’t stay out as long as us.
I’m sure the town enjoyed seeing our kayaks back on top of the Honda.
We probably just became a new sign of Spring.

One Last Ritual

Lightly removed the burrs
on the gouges and scratches
left over from last season
with a razor blade
gently and carefully
but it was a good way
to renew the relationship.

Almost

Almost warm enough,
Almost sunny enough,
Almost smelled like the time,
And almost started the season.

Unwrapped the openings,
Scrubbed the interior,
Sand and dried mud,
Left from last season.

Vacuumed the dirt away,
Inspected the interior,
Rewrapped the openings,
Now ready for water.

Warm Late Winter Rain

Oh rain - what pain,
To tempt with mild spring-like air,
And lone heron flying overhead.

Yet rain and lack of time,
Threat of icy glaze on lake,
Keep us from uncovering the kayaks,
Our first excursion.

Winter is a Bummer

I'm really bothered
with the lack of kayak events
in the Winter Olympics.

Settling in for the Winter

Suppose there comes a time
when you must admit
the season really is over.

Lakes are freezing shut,
Snow covers the ground,
Days are much too short.

Thoughts of lashing the kayaks
to the top of the car
is enough to numb the fingers.

So the kayaks are mounted
on the garage wall -
much like hibernation.

Won't even think of doing
little maintenance things
you should do in the coldness of the garage -
wait until just before Spring breaks.

But we can't help seeing them
every time we pull the cars in or out,
Reminder of where we'd rather be -
if not for seasons.

A Winter's Day...

We'll start with the end of the season.
Kayaks are mounted on the wall of the garage,
awaiting maintenance and winter's rest.

Ponds are freezing over.
Rivers are running deep and frigid cold.
Shoreline has lost its color.

Time to sort out memories,
of past summer's and fall's paddling,
and to start planning for next spring.