Lake Groton, Vermont

I had the chance today of paddling with a relatively new paddling group. It's called 'Sea Kayak Vermont!' and is slowly gaining more members as it becomes more well known. It's a low key, highly enthusiastic group of paddling folks who like to get out and explore some of the bigger and smaller lakes in Vermont. Today we had a look at Lake Groton located in the State Forest of the same name. We put in at Boulder Beach on the eastern shore, but there's also public access on the west side of the lake as well.

While it's definitely cottage country for large parts of the shore, there are some wilder sections, especially at the south end. There's a long stretch of shoreline cordoned off to allow the local loons to nest in seclusion. As if in return, they can be found everywhere on the lake often letting paddlers come up quite close to them, which is a rare treat on most lakes.

Just west of the dam at the south end is a little boulder strewn creek leading into a boggy area built by some beavers. Their dam is only about 10 inches high at the moment, but it has allowed a whole new area of marsh to exist behind it. They graciously constructed a turn-around pond just below the dam for us to retreat back out onto the main lake without having to back all the way out.

I'm looking forward to exploring more of Vermont's lakes in the coming months!

Sandbanks Provincial Park, Ontario

On the recent holiday weekend some friends and I went to Sandbanks Provincial Park for a little paddle. Hoping for some serious surf action, I took along my paddling helmet. Well, it was dead calm, but at least warm and sunny. We paddled along the park beach, but the more interesting paddle turned out to the the little stream which connects East Lake to Lake Ontario.

The park end of the stream is full of wildlife including birds and turtles. I have paddled up to basking turtles many times, bu this was the first time one allowed me this close before sliding into the water. I got so close to the fellow in the photo that it allowed me give it a little pat on the back. It then grudgingly slid off the log and went into the water. I guess it wasn't happy with me ruining it's afternoon nap...

When we got down to the outlet of the stream, we suddenly ran out of water. The stream disappeared into the shoreline sandbar forcing us to exercise our portaging skills for a few meters. It appears the previous days of wave action had

Kayak Summer Warm-up

 Look to your right...

Look to your left...

Everywhere you look, paddlers are getting ready for another summer of paddling! Some are thinking about getting out evenings after work, some look forward to day paddles on the weekend and others are planning longer multi-day trips into the back-country.

No matter what your plans are, good paddlers are looking at their boats, their equipment and their skill levels. All need to be reviewed, checked and prepared to get the most out of the paddling days ahead.

To get ready, I went to Ontario Sea Kayak Center's Kayakpalooza last weekend. The event was the perfect way to warm-up and prepare by getting out on the water with some instructors who put us through a series of exercises to practice the safety aspects and the various other skills which together help us get the most out of the coming summer. Not only was the instruction well done, the chance to get together with a large group of like minded kayakers was a great kick-off to the season.

Happy, safe paddling everyone!

Paddling in Arizona

When many paddlers think of Arizona as a paddling destination, the only river that readily comes to mind is the mighty Colorado, yet there are other places which offer much. One such river is the Salt River Canyon below the Roosevelt Lake reservoir. This river is a popular destination for weekenders in the Phoenix area looking for something wet and cool on their time off. While I didn't paddle the river, I did check it out and will return some day to sample its offerings.

The upper parts nearest the dam feature smooth water between rounded hills of assorted desert plants and terrain (see the top photo). There are sandy beaches on which to camp and plenty of cliffs and so on to delight almost any paddler.

Now here's the thing. Getting to the dam can be a challenge. The 30 mile road into the mountains is un-paved and mostly single track. On a good day it's only mildly rutted and wash-boarded. On a bad day, I recommend stopping in Tortilla Flats, the end of the pavement and enjoying something cold at the bar. You won't be sorry you did. The place is really something else...

If you make it to the put-in, you'll really enjoy the paddle. As the river drops, the hills rise, in places dramatically with vertical cliff faces towering high above the water. The other good news is, as far as I know, there's no need to book ahead, no camping fees and none of the crowded conditions one faces on the Colorado. I can't wait...!

Voyage to the Pingualuit Crater

Have a look at the red line on the map above and imagine a fabulous canoe trip stretching across the wilderness of northern Quebec, Canada. While playing on Google Earth the other day I came across a series of photographs and realized that a group of adventurers must have made this trip in the past few years. Their goals were twofold, at the very least. First they appear to have wanted to cross the Ungava Peninsula as the area is called, and second, they wanted to do it on their own power. Lastly, they wanted to visit the large impact crater known as Pingualuit Crater. The photos reveal they succeeded! As it turns out, once leaving the Payne River, their starting point on the east coast, their route followed the Vachon River nearly to the Pingualuit area. After their visit, they found the Puvirnituq River and followed its wandering route to the village on the west coast of the same name.

I invite you to open Google Earth, check to see that 'photos' is enabled and then follow their path beginning in the east and then from photo to photo to see what a marvelous trip it must have been. My red line is an approximation of the route taken, but once you've begun following the photos up the Vachon River, you'll easily find the remaining photos which lead you the rest of the way. Follow their route, look at all the photos! You won't be disappointed!

Between Birds And A Hard Place

The ckayaker staff is back at work after a healthy holiday break. While there isn't a lot to report on the kayaking front given the almost total lack of open water at this time of year, there are some things of interest nonetheless. Here's an example...

In the photo above you'll notice a couple of Evening Grosbeaks. Not so many years ago, these birds were a common winter sight along roadsides and at household feeders around where I live. They would appear in flocks of twenty or more, males and females together and provide a dash of colour on the winter snow. Then a few years ago, they all but disappeared. Some years none were seen. Other years you might see two or three flit by and disappear almost as quickly as they had come.

This winter they're back. Not in the numbers of years gone by, but today, for example, there were perhaps a dozen or so in the trees around the feeder. They came and went all morning as they have done several times in late December and early January. Does it mean they've given up their wandering and returned for good?

Sadly, no. We've just got lucky. Over all their numbers are far fewer today than in the past. I've heard a variety of suggestions about why this is so, but I don't think the definitive answer is in. Whatever the reason, it doesn't paint a healthy picture. The environment is changing and squeezing these lovely birds into a hard place where their existence is threatened. I wish it wasn't so.

As I do each year, the office of 'Canadian Ckayaker' is closed for the Holiday. The staff have been sent home to be with their families, the fires turned down, the lights dimmed for the Season, and I've got a story for you.

We'll all be back in the New Year with more paddling stories from here and there. Best Wishes, Everyone!


Many years ago along the shores of Hudson's Bay people were accustomed now and then to seeing some strange things when they were out on the land hunting. This story is about one of those times. It happened not too many years after the traders first came to live among the Inuit and brought many of their strange ways to the people who lived in this region.

Men would usually hunt in groups of at least two and so it was on this occasion. Two close friends went walking along the coast looking for a way out onto the new sea ice where they might catch some seals. It was not many days away from Christmas, the winter celebration at the trader’s place. Both men were looking forward to being at the traders again this year. Last year, the first year they had gone to the post, they got several presents and both were hoping to get a gun this year, although both knew it wasn’t going to happen. To get a gun they would have to have things to trade and neither had much to offer the trader.

Coming to a long point of land leading out into the sea, they noticed that the bay formed in its leeward side had frozen over nearly completely. Using their harpoons to tap on the new ice as they walked, they cautiously headed out towards the open water. About half way out, they heard a moaning sound coming from the land along the point. At first they assumed it was just the sea ice moving in the tide that had caused the sounds, but the more it continued, the more human it sounded. Breaking off from their hunt, they turned towards the sound and went to see what it was.

Nearing the land, they could see something alive, trying to flop along the ice. Neither could tell what it was, but the closer they got, the more odd it seemed. Finally reaching within a few meters of the creature, they saw it was human in form from the waist up and fish-like below. It’s long hair was once black and shiny, but its struggles on the sea ice had filled it with snow and ice crystals now all tangled and twisted about its upper body. The lower fish body on the other gleamed and sparkled in the sunlight as it flapped and spun around.

Both men were terrified and began to back away having never seen or heard of such a creature before. Suddenly the moaning stopped and the creature turned and faced the men. “Don’t leave me!” it cried. “Help me back to the sea! I will reward you if you help me...”

The men looked at each other, amazed that the fish creature could speak. “How can we help you. We’re afraid of you.” The fish creature spoke again, telling them that she was afraid of them as well. They mustn't touch her. She told then to go find a piece of driftwood and to use that to push her to the floe edge. If they did so, she would reward them with whatever they wanted.

The men began looking along the shore for something to push the creature over the ice towards the open water. As they searched, one said, “I’m going to ask for a gun!” The other man laughed. “That’s crazy talk, but you know what? I’ll ask her for a sewing machine like the trader’s wife has. My wife really wants one.” Both men continued walking about the beach laughing to themselves about their choices. At the least, we’ll have a good story to tell the others at the Christmas party they agreed.

Once a strong enough piece of wood had been found, the two men returned to the fish creature and set to work pushing her towards the water. She was heavier than they realized and the work took them some time. Finally with a big plop, the creature slipped over the ice edge and fell into the water. Turning to the two hunters, the creature asked what the hunters wanted as gifts for saving her. “A gun”, said one. “A sewing machine”, said the other. “I’ll bring you something for your children as well. You have saved my life! Come here tomorrow and I will give you your gifts.” With that the creature dove below the sea and was gone.

The men decided to return home as the light had already turned to dusk and finding seals was no longer possible in the growing darkness. On the way home, both talked about the strange experience and wondered whether it would be wise to mention what had happened to their families. Perhaps not, they agreed.

The next day was Christmas. The Inuit from all around gathered at the trader’s place and waited for their gifts. As had happened the previous year, there was hot chocolate, some candies and little bells for the children. Afterwards there was a dance with accordion music played by the new trader’s assistant. No one got a gun that year. The two men didn’t mention finding the sea creature.

It had been disappointing, but what did they expect? The next day, both men met as usual and headed out to the flow edge to again hunt for seals. As they neared the bay ice they had been on the day before Christmas, they could see something dark basking on the ice. They headed towards it hoping a large bearded seal might have chosen to haul out, but the closer they got, the more confused they became. Lying on the ice some distance in from the gradually freezing ice was a gun, a sewing machine and a gramophone.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Crow Lake, Ontario

Taking advantage of a few warm days before the arrival of the mega-storm Sandy coming in off the Atlantic last week, I went paddling in Ontario for a few days. The trip out on Crow Lake was interesting as the winds were beginning to be felt although the clouds and their rain still held back for another day.

I launched at the east end of the lake and headed out into the waves. I actually enjoy paddling to windward and so tried to adjust my strokes to the wave interval to take advantage of whatever down-slope they could offer. In fact, there wasn't much this time around as the waves were newly formed and not really large enough for me to gain much advantage. It takes more fetch and sustained winds that the lake offered.

I landed on a small island about half way down the lake knowing that there was a geocache hidden on it somewhere. I didn't have its coordinates, but knew it was located near a "circle of stones, not far from a picnic table". That was all I needed to get me going on a search. It didn't take long before the picnic table and the circle of stones was found and then a short search revealed the hidden container with it's log book and the selection of trinkets common to many geocaches. There was nothing in it to write with and I didn't have a pen with me, so I took some photos instead, one of them seen above. The cache owner will know I was there.

I decided rather than continue to the end of the lake, it was time to head back, so I circled the island and let the wind blow me back to the car. By this time there were streams of wind-drift bubbles to follow and small waves to try surfing on. A gaggle of Black Scoters calmly swam out of my way. I guess they also like a windy day on the water. They are not common where I live so it was a treat to see them.

The landing beach appeared in no time and I was soon in the car heading home from another fun few hours on the water.