Kayaking

  Beth and I tried out our new kayaks with friends at Chapman State Park yesterday, a small reservoir type park a few miles from the house. 

    They are 8 foot 'Old Townes' which replaced larger kayaks after we decided we were tired of lifting heavier boats onto the car roof. These only weigh 35 pounds each so are more manageable and tracked well and felt stable. Larger kayaks, such as our friends 10 foot sit-on Perceptions, generally move through the water a little easier, so you sacrifice some things with smaller crafts, but because we often travel downstream on the Allegheny or Conewango rivers that is not much of an issue. The maneuverability and ease of transport are preferable to us right now.  This particular section of the park is the feeder stream that fills the lake and passes a massive beaver hut and through slow water that reminds me of the Okefenokee swamp in Georgia-minus the alligators and moccasins of course. 

     While on the lake an osprey was circling overhead and Beth watched a bald eagle dive for a fish, although she did not think that it had been successful. Some people fish from their kayaks, something I have never tried, although they seem to enjoy it and it would definitively allow me to cover a lot more water than wading as I usually do. I am a casual catch and release fisherman so enjoy being outside either way-but I still feel a bit guilty for the 'trauma' of hooking and throwing back fish, so I really only fish occasionally.  (as always... click on pic to enlarge...)