|
|
|
The Joint
Kayak Club Paddle May 16th-18th 08 ’
You’ve heard the
saying, “A picture says a thousand words”, well this
picture pretty much sums up the third Joint Kayak Club Paddle
between the San Diego, Valley Wide, and California Friends Kayak
Clubs at Lake Morena in Campo, California.
Organizing the
event this year was more challenging than the previous two years,
due to the possibility of the lake being closed, “at any
moment”, to all outside private boats, because of the quagga
mussel situation, that has infected the majority of the lakes,
located in the San Diego area.
And then when
the temperature soared into the low 100’s, with low humidity, and
gusty wind predictions – the likelihood of “Red Flag Warning”
and ban on open-flame was extremely high. Fortunately, the event
went off without a hitch. Ok, there was a little glitch in the
plan. I broke my foot about 10 days before the outing.
Go ahead and ask
me if I was disappointed. Well, I was already packed, except for
my cooler, if that is any indication how much I was looking
forward to going. I was secretly
 hoping
once I got fitted with a walking brace, the day before the event,
that I might be able to drive down, show up, and surprise
everyone, but no such luck.
While I laid in bed with my foot propped up over the weekend, I
was kind-of hoping someone from Jay’s group would email me on
Saturday, and let me know how everything was going…Ok I lied….I
was hoping someone would call me when they were out on the lake
paddling, so I could pretend I was out on the water with everyone,
instead of laying around like a bump on a log.
John, was the first to email me on Sunday, ”I made it home
after great weekend - wind blew hard Friday but after that great
weather - fun time.”
Jay’s email arrived shortly afterwards. “Saturday was
unexpectedly calm and not too hot, and the lake had a feel like
something right out of the Scottish Lowlands, (well, that may be a
bit exaggerated). Met some new friends from all over the county,
and everyone was having a fun time.” It must be the rocky
terrain, but now that I think about it, Lake Morena does look a
little like Scottish Lowlands.
Jay was kind enough to share with me with photos he took….which
took a little of the edge off of my eagerness, so I didn’t have to
hobble to the computer every 15 minutes to see if , “I got mail”
and that’s no lie…
Tim, bless his sweet heart called me on his way home on Sunday.
Thank you, Tim for calling me. I was so worried that when I
couldn’t make it, people would cancel and I would ruin the outing
for everyone. I appreciate everyone for being such great troopers,
and showing up.
Jay’s cute email the day before, “Hey, I have a small
inflatable boat. You can join us, and I’ll tow you around the
lake!” brought a big smile to my face. I kindly informed him
kayaking isn’t the problem – driving is, but the gesture sure
cheered me up. Too bad I live so far away. It would have been not
only enjoyable to be out on the water – but rather amusing to see
if Jay could tow me all the way around the lake.
Tim said a few people went out on Friday, and about 20 to 30
people showed up for Saturday’s paddle. The weather was too
toasty to hike, afterwards, so they sat under the plentiful shady
campsite – shared a picnic and good conversation, and enjoyed ice
cream Tim, bought, that he somehow managed to transport from the
store without it melting.
The breeze died down on Saturday night, and everyone sat around
the campfire and relaxed. Sunday morning was another picture
perfect day…..It sounded like another great outing. I wish could
have been there.
Thank you all for coming!
Janice L. Green
©
2005
Janice L. Green All Rights Reserved.
g |
|
|
