Eleven kayaks (Maureen, Lois, Nichole, Tracie, Karen, Marv & Marlene, Barb & Mike, Judy & Fred) and a solo canoe (Bob) paddled this beautiful stretch of the Boardman today. We started out watching Fred do a sliding launch into the river. It was captured on video, but apparently was not as exciting as his first attempt a few weeks ago. Lois invited a former student, Nichole, along as a graduation present, so there was a quick ferry lesson before the group headed downstream. She did great on our paddle. College will be a breeze for her.
The day was cloudy and a bit cool (in the 60s at the start), so it was great for paddling, but not warm enough for swim breaks. You can tell that fall is not far away as the ferns and grasses along the banks are starting to turn brown. Numerous cedar waxwings were feeding on bugs above the river and we also had a fly-over by a great blue heron.
There were no major problems during the trip, but Bob saved many of us from a step-over by parking his canoe and removing a log from across our path. At Brown Bridge Pond, the first four paddlers took the far right route which turned out to be a walker. Lois tried far left and got through the delta without getting out of her boat. Guess where everyone else went - right or left?
Since we finished before 1 PM, most of the group ended up at Bob Evans on US-31 near 4-Mile for lunch. Lots of laughs, and lots of food!
Written by Barb