Power Island - 8/7/25
Kathleen Imre | Published on 8/7/2025
Today's Power Island Paddle was a keeper! Paul & Irene, Babs and Greg, Paul W., Howie, Jacqui, and I met at Bowers Harbor boat launch. The winds were light and out of the south, waves virtually nil, and the temperature quickly rose from the mid-70s to near 90 by the end of our trip. There was still some Canadian wildfire haze, but it diminished as the day wore on, and we actually saw some blue in the sky by mid-afternoon. Babs brought her Tiderace Xplore S, and there was much oohing and ahhing over such a beautiful sea kayak!
As has become our usual route the past few years, we headed across the bay toward "the big white breakwall" and then followed the shoreline to Neahtawanta Point where we made the crossing to "Bassett Peninsula." The lake level seemed lower than last year's trip, and we had to keep an eye on the shoals and protruding rocks in places. We saw a nearly-mature Bald Eagle en route. We then paddled counter-clockwise around Power, and set up our picnic spot under one of the few shade trees on the beach. Hopefully, our "wild and crazy" bunch did not disturb the campers whose campsite "with backyard beach access" we had claimed for our picnic! Most of the island's campsites were taken and there were a lot of folks at the picnic table area. A few of us went for a quick swim and the water was warm! The lunchtime entertainment included Momma Common Merganser with her 8, 9, or 10 little ones as they skittered across the surface of the water at warp speed. Were they going after all the minnows or just having fun?! Either way, it was hilarious! A lone toad, "Toadie," hopped through our lunch spot into the searing sand and towards the water. I interfered with his or her intended route by carrying him/her back to the shade of our picnic area, where he/she eventually settled underneath Paul M's beach chair. Babs let me take her Tiderace out for a quick spin. Other than being a gorgeous boat that was a blast to paddle, it was just okay...😉
We headed back to Bowers Harbor in a straight shot so that we had following seas most of the way. I believe the distance-tracking paddlers recorded the outbound route at 5.4 miles and the return at 3.2.
Afterward, several of us went to Buchan's Blueberry Hill for a much-needed ice-cream treat.
'Can't wait until next year to do this again!
Pics by Paul M, Irene, and Kathleen
Howie
Paul W.
Paul M.
Irene
Greg
Babs
Jacqui
Irene & Babs
Lunch spot! Paul M., Irene, Paul W., Howie, Greg, & Jacqui
"Toadie"
The fleet
Paul W. had a "very berry time at Buchan's Blueberry Hill!"
So did Paul M.!!! 😉
