La Framboise Circumnavigation

On the 13th, the weather was so nice that Pat was able to convince me to go out after work. Not that it took a lot of arm twisting. At about 5:30 we headed down to the causeway to make a trip around LaFramboise Island. Along the main channel there is a spot where you can go in through the island. This makes the trip a little shorter, but at times there isn't enough water to paddle and you end up using your hands to propel yourself through the water. Even though this makes for a shorter trip it probably results in a trip taking the same amount of time than if you went all the way around the tip of the island. We covered 5.7 miles and were done well before dark. Sure is nice now that it stays light so much later than it did a few months ago.

First Paddle in April

With the weather acting a little more like spring we decided to spent the weekend at the campground near the Oahe Dam. There were not many people camping, but there were 3 kayaks between the 2 campers along the water. With Pat coming out to join us there were a total of 4 kayaks out on the water on Good Friday. Gary, Lenise, Pat and I launched near the campground and traveled up the stilling basin. With the warmer weather and the holiday weekend we had to share the water with more motor boats as fishermen rushed back abd forth trying to find some fish to catch. From where we launched we went up to the outlets, back past the stating point, out t the main channel and back for a total of about 4 miles. The boats ranged from the 12 footers used by Gary and Lenise to my 17 foot Tempest, this being the first time it has been on the water in 2009.

Nothing much to report but the fact that I have now extended my streak to 25 straight months of paddling.

Bad River Paddle

In between blizzards we had nice weather on Saturday. High temperatures were in the upper 40's and the wind was maybe 10-15 mph. So, Pat and I decided to go for an afternoon paddle. Becauase I had some other things to get done we didn't get on the water until 3:30. The ramp along the casueway was crowded with fisherman launching and landing their boats. Where were these guys in January and February??? We launched from an area next to the ramp and headed over to Fort Pierre to check out the Bad River.I have only gone part way up it once before but ran into ice in December. Pat has gone farther before until the water got too shallow to paddle.

As we went up the river we found no ice remaining. We did spot a number of hawks, a couple muskrats, and a heron that kept just a head of us for a while until it finally flew away. We were able to go about 2 and a half miles upstream to a ways beyond the second railroad bridge. The wind picked up slightly and was a little rough on the Missouri on the return trip. Total time on the water was a bit over 2 and a half hours and we paddled about 7.5 miles. The pictures that follow are several of Pat and of the heron after he took off one of the times.

ANOTHER March Paddle

With the weather being so nice again it didn't take much convincing to go kayaking again. Temperatures were up into the 60's. Pat and I again met at the causeway and headed upstream. We started along the Pierre shoreline and after getting beyond town we switched over to the west shore. The temperature was noticeably cooler on that side, near what amounts to an island. In fact, it dropped from about 60 along the east shore to about 50. The water was still around 37 degrees and the wind was nearly non-existent. The water was clear and we could see fish at different times. Which would explain why we were not alone on the water. At least half a dozen boats had taken off from the same place as us. Walkers and bicyclists were all along he path next to the river. Something we had not seen much of the other times we have been out.

There was a noticeable current so the trip upstream took about an hour and 10 minutes to get to a point beyond the island where several people were fishing. It appears that this point is about half way between the causeway and the Oahe Marina. On the return trip we took a slightly more direct route and with the current only to 50 minutes to get back. Total distance traveled was about 5.7 miles.

Here are a few pictures of Pat, the dam in the distance, some of the houses in Pierre and the railroad bridge.

Another March Paddle (already)

The weather forecast for the last few days have been off to say the least. The forecast for Friday had been for highs in the upper 40's. Despite the fact that that it was only in the upper 20's Pat and I went paddling. The forecast for today was only in the 20's. But, that changed and it started to warm up by noon. So,with that in mind we decided to go out again. Chuck wasn'table to join us at 2:30 whne we planned to head out, but we let him know our plans so he could try to meet up with us at some point. The wind started out a little over 10 miles per hour and actually went down somewhat through the afternoon. The temperature was around 50 or a bit above and the water was as "warm" as 37 in some of the shallower areas.

At 2:30 we met at the causeway and decided to head downstream this time. There did not appear to be much flow, but the slight wind was at our face on the way down. A few others were out on the water fishing and a lot of people we walking along the casueway and on the island. Amazing what 50 degree weather will do. We spent about an hour going downstream and finally decided to turn around after going about 2.25 miles, figuring a 4.5 mile paddle would be enough. When we were about a mile from the dock on our way backe we saw another kayak heading towards us. It was Chuck. We met and the three of us went back to the dock.

Cold weather paddling is normally defined as paddling when the water is 50 degrees or colder. All of the paddling we have done for the past several months sure meets that definition. When asked by people about paddling in the cold weather and on cold water I always tell them that the water is only really cold if you fall in. That is the reason for being selective when choosing a day to go out and why I use my Spectrum instead of the Tempest. The Tempest is faster and somewhat easier to paddle, but it can feel a bit tippy and I don't need to get in a hurry this time of year. The Spectrum is simply a more stable boat. Proper clothing for cold water paddling is a real important thing to remember. There are a lit of different ideas about hat to wear and can go all the way to the extreme of wearing a dry suit. I don't have one and am not sure if I would need one. Layering is important. A poly base layer, fleece top, and paddle jacket along with splash pants. Neoprene boots, stocking cap, and neoprene gloves with liners finish the lineup. The only part of me that got cold when the tempreatures were in the upper 20's was my hands. Perhaps pogies or other heavier gloves would be better in those conditions. With the temperature in the 50's no part ofme was cold today. In fact, if anything I was warmer than necessary. But, that beats the alternative.

Here are some pictures from today. As usual, they are of Pat and Chuck. Anyone wanting to see a picture of me would need to go to Pat's web site.

March Paddle

The weatherman predicted highs in the upper 40's for the day and with the last couple days being about that we had no reason to doubt it. So, Pat and I decided to take some timeoff from work and go paddling. Unfortunately, the temperature never got above 33 and started to drop shortly after noon. When we met at the causeway at 2:30 it was about 30 degrees and the wind was coming out of the north at about 10 to 15 miles per hour. By the time we were done it was down to 28. The next few days don't sound too good so we decided to just head upstream and spend a bit of time out on the water anyway. We continued up and finally stopped to turn around once we got to the northern edge of town. It was interesting to see what the water splashing up from the river or dripping off of our paddles would do. Paddle leashes and deck cords really took the brunt of it. The current and the wind in our face made for some waves as we made our way upstream. The trip back was a bit quicker. We spent about an hour and 20 minutes on the water and traveled about 3.5 miles. With this I have now made it out at least once in 24 straight months. With spring beginnning soon, longer and warmer days are just around the corner and the streak should be easier to continue.

I have had people ask how long we need to paddle to count it as an outing. While it is possible to go out 50 feet, turn around, and call it a day, that has never been considered by Pat, Chuck, or myslef to be enough. The minimum we have ever gone out and counted has been about an hour of paddle time.

February Outing

With the temperature forecast to be near 50 degrees with virtually no wind, Pat and I decided it would be a great day to get out on the water and get February under our belts. I took the entire day off from work and did a bunch of little chores in the morning. Pat took the afternoon off. We met at the LaFrambise Causeway at about 1:30 and were away at around 1:40. The clarity of the water was amazing. You could see down to the bottom in water that was probably 8 to 10 feet deep and we could see fish swimming around. That would explain the other boats out on the river. They must not have been able to decide where to fish because they seemed to be rushing back and forth between Fort Pierre and to points downstream. Fortunately, no matter how warm it is (apparently it got to 54), the water temperatures of 34 to 35 degrees keeps the jet skis in storage. After paddling around for a while and breaking through ice around the ramp we continued downstream. As it ended up we went down to the end of the island and back. Total time on the water was just short of 3 hours and we traveled about 6.8 miles. Not bad for February.

And with this I am now up to 23 straight months of kayaking. While this winter kayaking is fun, I would not go out alone. All of these winter trips are taken with Pat, Chuck, or both. And, until the water warms up a bit I will continue to use my Spectrum instead of the Tempest. But, the days are getting longer and it will come down from the rafters before too long.

Here are a few pictures from today. The calmness of the day is clear in the reflections. Seems like I often end up with good pictures of Pat or Chuck on my site. For more pictures, including ones of me, check out Pat's site. (http://www.piratesofthemissouri.com/)