afternoons on Catherine

[JeffT]

I usually get on the water around 4:20 and spend about an hour. It's enjoyable exercise that doesn't hurt my knees. I've been doing this 3 days a week, plus or minus.
Only owned a kayak since August.
Interested?

[dan valovich]

Are you seeing any osprey yet? I am seeeing cormorants and kingfishers along with some wood ducks. Need a bird report.

[JeffT]

In the last week or two I've seen an osprey twice. One was carrying a fish. One bald eagle. Three cormorants last Saturday several hundred feet up in a thermal. Two deer swimming. About a half dozen deer on the bank. Several ducks. I'm not up on the different types of them.

[JeffT]

I saw an osprey early Sunday morning.
Today after work the lake was glassy smooth. It felt like I was sitting on top of a mirror. Cloudy skies made the afternoon light perfect. One cormorant about 100' up. A few small ducks that dove when I got close.
It's getting easier. I hope I can figure out a way to stay warm and do this all winter.

[okieboater]

Jeff,

do a search on this msg board and read about winter clothing etc

lots of information, it will be a personal decision, but you should be able to stay warm and paddle most of the winter especially on the warmer sunny days.

[JeffT]

Monday was rough. So rough it wasn't fun. I didn't put the skirt on because it was warm. A few waves lapped into the boat. Must have been a good workout because I was sore, tired, and hungry all day today.

This kayak thing started because my wife was scared of the Big Piney. I wanted a way to float solo. The drought meant it was lakes or nothing else. It's turned into exercise I need badly. The joint in my back that's popped and bothered me since I was about 25 is much better.

[JeffT]

Monday the lake was glassy smooth as the sun sank behind the state park. Catherine was about 2' down.
My hands were really cold. Gloves are going to happen soon or kayaking will cease until spring.
Army surplus polyproplylene long underwear works.

[Edgar]

Hey Jeff, Dan Valovich, his wife and I were out on Catherine Sunday afternoon and we ran into a couple of others kayaking. They asked if we knew you and if we had seen you out that afternoon. We put in at the State Park, what part of Catherine do you usually go on?

[JeffT]

I keep my boat right across from the state park. Blue boat and yellow paddle. Usually I have the lake all to myself.

[JeffT]

I've got new gear to try out. Maybe this weekend.

[Edgar]

What did you get?

[JeffT]

Stohlquist maw gloves, some thick wetsuit boots, and an IR splash top.

[Edgar]

Sounds like your ready for ruff seas!

[Paddlegal]

Your description of glassy smooth water reminded me of a solo trip I did way back when I first got my pirogue in 2001. It was on Lake Winona before they closed it to paddlers. I was alone and wrote this almost a haiku

Winona, Water like glass
Butterflies in my hair
Black-flies bite my ankles

[JeffT]

I guess you're one of the lucky ones with tasty ankles. Bugs fly into my eyes or gnaw on the privates.

It was 38 degrees this afternoon. I was warm except for my hands. The stohlquist gloves are very comfortable except for that.
Does anyone wear silk glove liners under paddling gloves?
The strip of exposed skin between jacket and gloves isn't good. Does anyone make a 'gauntlet' style glove, one that comes farther up?

I was very impressed with the IR top. It seemed flimsy and cheap at first. It does what it's supposed to.

I can tell I haven't been paddling. It will be tough to get out of bed tomorrow.