September 2016: Paddling with My Kids in the Sierras & on Lake Washington.

September 18, 2016

September 2016: Paddling with My Kids in the Sierras & on Lake Washington.

A Story of Contrasts: a Sierra Paddle with Andrew and Devon Last Week and Memories of Paddling Lake Washington with Katie and Javier in 2012

A Sierra Paddle
   There are days when things just come together and all you can do is smile. Last Wednesday at Hume Lake was one of those days.
   Let me backtrack. A couple weeks ago my amazing daughter-in-law, Devon, asked if I could take her kayaking when she and my son Andrew visite from Virginia. Talk about a great question—especially since she had never kayaked. My obvious response, “Yes, we can all go up to Hume Lake," and the journey began.
   All I then had to do was to find one more kayak. My amazing friend Joel loaned me his car (my former Honda complete with kayak racks) and his "new" kayak and we were outfitted.

Marilyn, Andrew, Devon & I arrive at Hume Lake ready to paddle. Here is the Honda with 4 kayaks (the 2 inflatables are in the trunk), paddles, PFDs & miscellaneous gear. Must say I miss that car.

A note: Joel and I took my two inflatables to the coast last month to kayak in Morro Bay.

Inflatables ready to launch in Morro Bay.

After our kayak, we found two kayaks in Morro Bay for sale, with the caveat they both leaked.

Used kayaks for sale in Morro Bay.

Turns out the one I got did not leak but boy did Joel's, yet for $150 each we were confident that the leak once found could be fixed. Once I was sure I could put the boat inside my VW bus, we made our purchase, covered the suspected area of Joel's boat with duct tape, and kayaked all day.

"New" kayak ready to launch in Morro Bay.

2 "new" kayaks & my 2 inflatables in the VW Westy.

The kayaks fit!

Once home Joel and I did find and fix the leak, not the prettiest job, yet at the end of the day all was dry.
Back to the story: Wednesday morning found Drew, Devon, Marilyn, and I headed to nearby Kings Canyon National Park and our destination: Hume Lake. The lake is a manmade reservoir originally established for harvesting the Giant Sequoias in the early 1900s. At an elevation of around 6,000 feet, it is a perfect site for an early fall event.

They are off, Drew, Devon, & Marilyn. Two ladies in the inflatables.

Marilyn in her inflatable is doing the heavy lifting before we headed out as Andrew introduces Devon to kayaking.

Devon & Drew, who is leading?

Perhaps Devon's way is best...

Drew, Devon, Marilyn.

Unfortunately the trees in the Sierras at elevations between 4,000 and 7,000 feet are dying at an alarming rate due to the bark beetle, a boring insect about the size of a grain of rice that basically girdles the tree. Though the beetle is native to the area, the advent of successive years of drought has weakened the trees, allowing the beetle to decimate the forest.

Marilyn in that "reflective place." Sad that the trees are dying.

Me, Drew, Devon.

Paddling toward the dam in my "new" kayak, the one that did not leak.

Next to the dam at Hume Lake, Devon & Andrew on the left, Marilyn to the right. Liked this pic ,yet in Devon's benefit I admit it is a bit of an optical illusion

Drew & Devon.

At the end of the paddle Devon came to me and said, "Thank you, it was the most fun I have ever had outside." Sure made my day.

2012, Lake Washington
Story line two: four years ago, Marilyn and I headed to Seattle for Katie and Javier's wedding, with one inflatable kayak on top of the VW Bus and the other inside. The flamingos we found en route added to our adventure.

Headed to Seattle with inflatable kayaks & guard flamingoes.

In Seattle, we borrowed two other inflatable kayaks from my friend Tim. It was not hard to get Katie and Javier to join us for a nice paddle around Lake Washington and the lily pads near the Arboretum.