Paddling Again

 Not cycling, but HUMAN-POWERED! 

AT the end of June, I got it in my head to get out paddling again and ordered myself a WIKE Kayak Cart and actually went out for a paddle! I had such fun, that Amanda decided we should order a second cart! It arrived within a week... and then it took us until the end of the month to actually get out paddling! 

We did have a great day though and have a number of other dates written on the calendar throughout August. Amanda was so excited, she's actually talking about doing an overnight trip later in August or September!? We shall see... 

Heading out through the alley. We rarely ever access the alley - almost always go out the front - but right now the front is almost inaccessible due to fences they've put up around the street for road work... 

Through the park. 

On the water. 

We headed upstream towards the South Bridge - much like my last excursion. 

Right off we were passed by The Prairie Lily - a river boat that does tours up and down the river - and creating big wakes.... 

Shortly after that there was a steady stream of jet skis - at least four groups of 3-4 vehicles. 

sometimes they sort of slow down when passing... 

But still create substantial wakes. 

Not as huge of a pain in the ass for us as I imagine it was for the dozens of SUP boarders and rowers and racing canoes and kayaks that were all out on the river training!

The water is so low and there are so many large sandbars in the middle of the river that there are relatively narrow passages through some sections - narrow enough that not only do you get hit by the wake of motor powered boats - but you also get his by the wakes rebouding off the shores and sandbars that go back and forth for a bit. 

If it had kept up, I probably would have called it a day and headed back... but then after about 10 minutes, we didn't see any more jet skis for the rest of the trip!? 

Heron on the shore in the shade. 

Heron flying away past another Kayaker. 

So many Stand-Up Paddle-Boards out on the river - like dozens of them! Though not everyone was standing up on them - lots of kneeling and sitting paddlers too. 

Like most olympic competitions, it seemed like the required uniforms for any women on a Stand Up Paddle Board was a bikini? Seriously - EVERY SINGLE ONE. 

Getting closer to the South Bridges. 

We stopped on a sandbar just short of them. Amanda was very, VERY tired. 

But not too tired to demonstrate some yoga stretches... or... something like that...? 

Heading home - so many gulls! 

Heading out we had a bit of a wind at our back - helping to push us up stream.  By the time we were heading back the wind had almost entirely died down. We could have floated all the way home. 

Downtown looking a long way off. 

Ducks and baby duck. 

More Ducks.

Downtown getting a bit closer. 

Back at the public dock. 

And hauling the Kayaks back home. 

Amanda's arms were so tired, I had to haul the two of them up the hill 

But from the top of the hill she hauled it the rest of the way home. 

Dodging roadwork and back into the alley behind our house.