PDF Quagga Mussel Update                                             12/30/08

      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.Click to view full size image

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

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