The Paddle Gods were smiling when they decided to bless us with this beautiful weekend! Low 70s both Saturday and Sunday, and sunny skies. We had SO much to do this weekend, and I literally gasped with surprise a few nights ago, when a friend of mine reached out to me and said she’d be available to paddle this Saturday.
Being pretty new to the sport, I have a decent list of local lakes and rivers I haven’t yet visited. We decided on Bruin Lake, which connects to Half Moon and Blind lakes, among others.
So we met at the boat ramp at Bruin Lake State Park. Several other paddlers arrived and put in about the time we did.
The water was WAY down and lots of folk were commenting, including several boaters that got their prop stuck. I waded in and pushed them out by the stern since the wind was not cooperating with their exit. Soon we were on our way.
I was anxious to see Blind Lake because I heard from my sister the water was TURQUOISE! (See the above map.) We stayed to the left on Bruin Lake and entered a canal.
Further down the canal is a bridge, with a small sign that says Willie P. Don’t know the story behind that one.
The next bridge we came to was entering Blind Lake. Not sure how any boats get through here. Very narrow and shallow.
It wasn’t looking very turquoise, but you could tell it was greener. I wonder if in the summer with the way the sun hits the water it looks different. Here is another shallow spot we paddled upon, near the Blind Lake Campground! It’s rustic, 10 site campground that is hike in only. I wonder if we can paddle in, rather than hike.
On our way back, we approached the swings. Apparently there were tire swings here, but they were gone. Only several ropes hanging down, some with sticks tied at the end.
What a fun day.
I loved the “ladder” that was built to climb up and tie the ropes. I’m assuming that’s what that was.
A boat went by and we got some waves crashing on the shoreline as we took a break and sat on the “beach”. Small waves, but we enjoyed the sound nonetheless!
Back on Half Moon Lake, making our way back slowly as the sun was setting, we noticed a large amount of leaves about 50 yards from shore.
I imagine the wind blew them out into the middle of the lake, but it was neat to see them, especially when the water was still.
We found another canal on our way back!
How cool. Kind of a private little body of water, which three houses backed up to.
I realized that these two houses faced the lake on the other side. How cool is THAT? To have water in your front and back yards!
The temps were dropping fast! How I wished for my wool socks. I did bring a towel to cover my legs, but my toes were freezing in my flip flops. Had to remind myself this IS November, even though we got a warm day!
It was pretty well dark and pretty cold when we arrived back at the boat ramp. We went and got our cars, which we had to park in the overflow upon arrival. The heat in my car was SO welcome on the ride home!
Later I saw this pic my friend took of me. Pretty cool!
This is probably it for our 70 degree days, but I hope to have lots more paddle stories to tell. I’m so grateful for a new circle of friends who are into fall and winter kayaking!
[…] or bathing in the frosty calm, or pausing to do some qi gong, or working puzzles about books, or paddling through lakes, or brooks or watching rom-coms on the way, or living through election day: we each survive as best […]