Last Paddle of the year...2012

On the last Sunday of October (28th), with long sleeves on and long pants... Terry and I, along with our kayakin' friends, Robin and Bill, make our way out to McGill Lake.  It was my first time this year to go to McGill, even though the past 3 years its been one of our favorite lakes.  This year we kayaked in so many different rivers and lakes..... we didn't even make it to McGill.  Or, I should say, I didn't make it there... Terry has been with Bill and some guys.  The water was choppy in the main part of the lake, and the winds were bitter cold.  We met up with an old gentleman on a 4 wheeler and we chatted for a bit.  He told us that they opened the dam up yesterday, and we might have trouble getting to the next lake.  But we put our boats in at the little wooden bridge and headed towards Big Mollie (I think).  But on our way there.. there were beautiful stumps and coves to explore and by the time we made it to the bubbling, torrent of water that was coming out the channel that goes to the Mollie.. we had paddled enough.

 It was not easy getting into this stump to get a picture.  There were jagged rocks all around the stump and leading into the stump and we sort of played a labyrinth game to get there.  We squeezed into the stump and my mind was racing.... thinking... how many of the giant spiders are living amongst the knots and gnarls of this trunk.   A few pictures and then we carefully backed out of the labyrinth... not as expertly as going in.. and both Robin and I scrapped into rocks and tipped a few times... laughing all the way.  I was just happy to be away from the stump... to tell you the truth.

After paddling the shoreline for 10 minutes, to find a place to pull in, we found a spot with no wind, lots of places to pull in, and exit the water without risk of tipping in.  I must say, we were very careful this time, to find a safe spot to park... since the water was FREEZING and neither of us were that eager to get even a little wet.  All of our excursions this summer were a little more carefree...  and we usually ended up at the end of the trip with wet legs, wet feet, or wet all over (mostly Bill).  

 The colors were spectacular, the sun was warm and the view was awe inspiring.  Terry built a little rock tower in honor of his sister, who started this tradition in Cape Breton this summer.  We will paddle back next summer to see how it made out during the winter!

The end of a great day... the end of a great Kayaking season.  I am sad to put them away for the winter.. and already looking forward to next summer.