Thunder Lake - June 14, 2007

It was raining today, but I thought that since there was no wind - that I would take the boat out to Thunder Lake.

By the time I got there, the rain had stopped. The lake wasn't as smooth as glass but the waves where pretty small.

I thought I would check out Hoffstrom's Bay today and found a really nice - and small- bay that would make a great place for a cabin. No beach, but the water was very shallow at this location so would still make for a great place to swim or just cool off. It appeared that someone else felt the same way as it looks like someone had already purchased the land at this location.

Just as I was heading out of the area, the rain started up again. As you can see by the map, I headed straight across to the island to head back to where I started at this time.

The rain wasn't too bad and I really didn't mind getting wet but my arms where getting a little tired by this time.

Paddling exactly 5 miles taking an hour and 26 minutes (I checked out the shore line and took my time when I was close to the shore) with a average speed of only 3.5 mph, and a max speed of 6 mph.

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GhostLake - June 16, 2007

I had to work today but after the first flight left I had a few hours to kill. The wind was fairly calm and I had all my stuff with me in the truck so I thought I would take off for the closest lake - Ghost Lake for a quick paddle.

I was surprised when I got to the parking area: there where 4 vehicles there! And while I was driving up, someone was launching a canoe. Once they where on their way, I stripped down to my birthday suit - hiding behind my truck door, and suited up. I then repositioned the truck so I wouldn't have to haul the kayak too far.

Getting the boat to the shore, paddle put together, PFD on - I was finally on my way.

I decided to go around the lake in a counter-clockwise direction this time as there where people swimming, the canoe, and a fishing boat in the other direction. I paddled around the point (top of map) and across the one bay to check out the rock formations on the far shore. A stupid bee pretty much followed me most of the way staying just out of reach.

I didn't have my camera with me which is too bad, I could have had some nice photos. I went into a area (around the 10 o'clock position on the map) where there where some rocks sticking out of the water forming some very small islands to check out the area. The water got a little shallow around this area so I pulled up the rudder just as a precautionary measure.

By the time I got most of the way to the bay on the bottom of the map area, I thought I should cut across to the other side so that I could save some time. I checked out the little waterfall on my way by and it sounded like the amount of water flowing over the falls has increased with all the rain so I might have to visit again with the camera.

Just a little way past the falls area, there is another small island (not visible on the map) which I normally went around but this time I cut between the island and the mainland. Again I pulled up the rudder just in case as it appeared to be shallow in that area. The distance between the island and the shore is maybe 20 feet at that location.

The water is pretty clear in this lake, and I was able to see the bottom around the island. It was interesting - I was able to see some small fish (3 inches or so), so I slowly paddled backwards to see them again when I saw an older fish that was maybe 6 - 7inches long. After watching the larger fish for a few minutes, I decided to move forward again to see if I could spot any more fish. After moving forward about 10 feet I saw another fish - maybe 8 inches long. After watching this larger fish for a few minutes I decided to move on and head back to the truck.

About 20 feet ahead of my boat was another rock sticking out of the water, but just barely. I went by the rock slowly and saw yet another fish. This one had to be over a foot long. It appeared that the fish was actually looking up towards me. I watched the fish for a couple minutes but then had to go as I was running short of time - I had to be back to work in about 45 minutes by this time.

On this trip around the lake, I paddled 4.36 miles and taking an hour and 13 minutes but I'm betting 20 minutes of that time was moving very slowly while looking at the shore line, or watching the fish near the island. I had also went up the creek near the falls as far as I could get, and I'm sure I spent several minutes there. Max speed was 6.7 mph, with an average speed of 3.6 mph.

And yes, I got back to work in time!

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Dogtooth Lake - June 20th, 2007

Asked to be woken up this morning if the wind wasn't too bad, so around 7:40 am my 4 y/o son John wakes me up. Had the boat preloaded so all I had to do is make a real quick snack to take with me and load a few things into the truck and I was gone for the one hour drive to the lake.

Dogtooth Lake is fairly large, but it's loaded with islands and small bays - easy to get lost on. This is the lake I bought the gps for. You can drive right up to the lake off of Highway 17 but where I put in the kayak there is no beach. I had to be pretty careful getting in and out of the boat at this spot. I might have to try and find a better place to pull off of the highway.

As happened in the past, by the time I got to the lake the wind picked up. The waves being manageable, I set out. I've never been on this lake before but there is a Provincial Park on a southern arm of this lake where I go to get photos (Rushing River). The wind was too strong for me to get down that far.

Paddling through one narrow area, it opened up a bit and I saw a nice sized island to check out. Surprisingly, I saw a couple cabins on it. I did see a really nice cabin(?) that was bigger,and nicer, than my own home on the far shore. I headed across the more open area towards another smaller island and the waves started to get fairly large due to the wind. A spray skirt would have definitely come in handy today.

I took a few photos but a couple times I wasn't paying attention yet noticed in time to put the camera away and start paddling before the wind pushed me into the rocky shore.

I would have liked to have kept paddling to explore more of the lake but the winds where just getting too strong. I still had to figure out how I was going to get out of the boat back at the truck without falling in. As it was, I scraped up the bottom of the boat pretty good on the rocks. I definitely need to find a better put in for this lake.

Other than the wind, it was a nice day. Partly cloudy which helped keep me cool, the wind did keep the bugs away though. I never saw anyone while I was cruising around until I got back to the truck where someone had pulled off the highway to let her dog go for a swim.

I only traveled 3 miles in just under an hour but I was also taking my time to check out the scenery and take a few photos. Maybe during the summer when I've got more time, and if the wind doesn't pick up, I'll be able to explore more of this huge lake.

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Ghost Lake - June 23, 2007

While Wendy and John went off to Thunder Lake, I decided to load up the boat and go to Ghost Lake again. There was a little bit of a wind but the surface of the lake was fairly smooth so it was a great day for kayaking.

I only went about 4.1 miles, taking about an hour and 25 minutes or so (lost the time detail when I saved the track to the memory, for when I went on Mavis Lake) but I took several photos. Not sure how they will turn out yet but hopefully I have at least a couple good ones to post in the Scenery Photos gallery.

I stopped in at the waterfall again to see about taking a couple new photos knowing the amount of water flowing would be greater due to the amount of rain we've had the last couple weeks - I really hope I get at least one good photo (all photos hand held).

After I got back to the truck, I headed over to Thunder Lake to see if I could link up with Wendy and John and maybe even take John for a quick ride in the kayak but when I got there - the lake was pretty choppy. No way I'm going to put John in the kayak on that lake today!

I only stayed a few minutes as I was getting a little hungry and so I head home. On the way home thought, I thought I would go up Mavis Lake Road to see if I could get onto the lake. (read more below about Mavis Lake)

Mavis Lake - June 23, 2007

Mavis Lake can be reached by taking Thunder Lake Road. About 2/3rds the way to Johnson's Beach, is where you will find the unmarked gravel road to Mavis Lake.

I drove almost all the way down the road until I found a spot to put in the boat that was right beside the road (about a 20 foot walk). Knowing the lake was fairly small, I didn't think I would be on it to long.

As it turns out, I only spent about 25 minutes on the lake, traveling 1.4 miles. I didn't like being on the lake at all. First off, I can't see into the water - something that I really hate.

And more importantly: there was no one else on the lake. No one swimming, no one fishing, no one living on the lake even.

I was concerned that if I was to ever get into trouble on that lake, I would be so hooped because there wouldn't be anyone to hear my distress calls.

You can see how close Ghost Lake in relation to Mavis Lake. With that being said, I'd much rather go on Ghost Lake or Thunder Lake. Also, there really wasn't much as far as scenery goes.

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Ghost Lake - June 28th, 2007

Nice enough day so I ended up heading out to Ghost Lake again. After getting the boat into the water, I wasn't really into paddling today but headed towards the island that can be found on Ghost Lake. I figured I might as well see if I can see the 3 fish I've seen around the island on a couple previous trips.

I didn't see the 3 fish, but I did see thousands of minnows! I guess the fishermen will be happy about that. I did see a duck with 7 ducklings. I tried to get close to get a photo but Mom would have none of that! I found out just how fast these little guys can swim! I did get a couple shots in but I didn't want to be too much of a bother so I let them go on their way.

After spending a little time floating around the vicinity of the island and getting a few photos, I headed back to the beach. Turns out I was only out for 34 minutes and only paddled 1.68 miles.

Good thing I went back early and when I got home Wendy indicated how sick John was today (headache, dizziness, puffing for breath, fever for the last 4 days). We ended up taking him to the doctors and also to the hospital so they could take blood.


Ghost Lake - June 29th, 2007

No map to post but this morning I packed up the truck with the kayak, all the gear I take, Wendy and John and headed out to Ghost Lake.

For the first time, I took someone in the kayak with me. I took John. He had a blast! Of course I wouldn't let him in without warning him on what NOT to do while in the boat (like rock it!) as I didn't want us to go for a swim!

While I paddled, he would drag his hands in the water (which of course slows us down) but he did have a great time. He didn't want to stop! We did end up rescuing some beach toys for the one other family that was there though.

We didn't stay long as John was starting to feel a little chilled and because he was still a little sick (he was on anti-biotics now thought from his visit to the doctors yesterday. I figure we traveled about a 1/2 mile together on the kayak.

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Ghost Lake - July 4th, 2007

I had to work today but a couple flights where canceled. I decided to head back home to pick up the boat. Wendy and John where getting ready to swimming at the pool but John really wanted to go with me in the kayak. So, it was off to the lake we went. John went with me in the truck and Mom followed in the car.

There was a bit of a wind but not too bad - the waves where pretty small. I thought that the conditions where good enough to take John out.

We went out for only 22 minutes, traveling .8 miles with a average speed of only 2.2 mph but I really couldn't paddle too hard with John sitting on the floor of the kayak in front of me. I did hit him in the back of the head once but not hard enough to hurt him.

John had a good time. Once again he would drag his hands in the water but he didn't get the chills this time. On the way back to the beach where Mom was waiting, I decided to travel closer to the shore so that we might see some interesting things on the shore.

At one point we actually ran aground on a huge rock that at its highest point was only 2 inches below the water. By the time I noticed the rock, it was too late to stop or turn but it wasn't a big deal - our speed was pretty slow so there never was a danger to either of us. I think John actually enjoyed the chance to reach out and touch the rock.

Once we got back to the beach, John was too cold (from the wind) to go swimming. Wendy had to go to an appointment in 45 minutes by this time so I headed back to the airport.

Good thing I went back when I did actually: the second flight that was canceled was reinstated! It would be there in about 20 minutes!

Ghost Lake - July 15, 2007

Once again I took the boat to Ghost Lake and decided to go North instead of South. I didn't really have a lot of time as I was working today and heading out before I had to get to the airport.

I paddled for over 45 minutes before loading the kayak into the back of the truck and strapping her in for the ride back. I only went two and a half miles this trip but all I wanted to do was get in a little paddling before work.

Wendy and John decided to come out to work and I figured I would take John for another trip. You can see a photo of John and I out in the boat below.

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Ghost Lake July 15, 2007 part II

Out on Ghost Lake with John for the third time. Finally remembered to take a camera so that Wendy could get some photos of John and I while in the kayak.

I never take the gps with me when I go out with John so I really have no idea how long we are out there, or how far we go. The idea is just to spend some time together.

In this photo we are on our way back to the beach where Wendy is waiting for us. John is looking at a family from Dryden that was here with 4 new kayaks, two of which are made by Current Designs like my own boat.

Ghost Lake July 16, 2007

Today is a Monday and I actually have the day off! So this morning I headed out to the lake (a little later in the morning though). The surface of the lake was like glass! I really wish I took the camera today!

I headed up the shore (looking at the lake from the beach I went left). I kept close to the shoreline for the most part. Went back to the large island (well, large for this particular lake) and watched some fish swimming around (about 5 inches long). After which I went over to the waterfall then back to shore to go back into town for my chiro appointment.

After the appointment I went home for a quick lunch and it was back to Ghost Lake to head the opposite direction from that morning. The wind had picked up a bit so no more like glass water.

I went through some reeds in this one bay and enjoyed slowly drifting through them. I forgot that this is a really good way to get spiders on you and the boat! Looked down on the floor of the kayak and saw this (fairly large I though) spider on a sponge I use to soak up any water that gets into the boat. I almost jumped out of the boat (I swear!). Grabbing the sponge (with the spider still on it) and threw it into the lake. Of course I went back to get the sponge - I wasn't about to leave it behind.

The days paddle took me a hair short of 5 miles taking an hour and 43 minutes. But I spent about 10 minutes watching the fish near the island, and at least 10 minutes slowly drifting through the reeds in two bays (11 and 3 o'clock positions on the map).

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© 2007 Derek Kennedy