The first Canoe Trip of the Spring!

After a long winter working mostly inside I needed to spend some time outside. So I simply ignored my calendar and loaded the new XL Tripper onto the Yukon gathered up my new paddle and a life vest. I headed down to Seven Tree pond in Union to see how high the water was in the St. George River. It was a calm but cloudy afternoon, the water is still very high but dropping rapidly. I noticed on the trees that the level had dropped about six inches in the last day or so. I was somewhat concerned that paddling the large canoe alone would be a problem. I was very surprised to find that it moves very nicely to the paddle stroke. I paddled around the north end of the pond and far up into the flooded swamp at the head of the pond. I saw several pairs of wood ducks with the males in full breeding plumage, a beautiful sight. Unfortunately I had no luck getting close enough for a good picture.

After touring through the flooded timber I paddled back toward the ramp coming directly into the breeze. With nothing to hold the bow end down even the light breeze made it a little bit of a challenge but not impossible. I decided to try and paddle up into the river and under the bridge. With the river at flood stage the current was very strong but I was able to paddle into the current with some effort and headed up toward Round Pond. Much of the river bank is still far under the cold water but clearly spring is on its way. The fields are turning green again, many birds have returned and are in full song. Needless to say a couple of hours paddling around were just what I needed to break the doldrums.  I felt as restored as I hope my clients do after an afternoon canoe trip.

Boats Come out of Storage

The water is still high and we are in the middle of a cool wet spring but the daffodils are in full bloom on the lawn and the leaves are starting to show on the trees. I am guessing that a couple of warm sunny days and it will look very much like summer. I spent part of yesterday getting my strip built Grand Lake Canoe out of the rafters in the garage. It is a job that always seems like it should be more difficult than it is. Because the boat looks like a piece of fine furniture I always expect it to be heavier and more difficult to move. Even though it is put together with cedar strips and covered with epoxy it only weighs around 90 pounds. The lowering is pretty straightforward and went without a hitch after it is down and on sawhorses sliding it onto the trailer is not much of a trick at all. I even got out the outboard and clamped it onto the stern. I'll test the motor this week and I should be all set for a morning of fishing on the fresh water.