Kayuta Lake paddle was the coldest one since the beginning of April, which didn’t deter 17 paddlers from getting up early, scraping the frost of their cars, and participating in the 11.6 mile adventure. The cold season kayaking lovers included Cindy and Rick, Christine and Phil, Walt, Lynn, Bob, Patti, Greg, Phil, David, Kim, Roger, Kathy, Cindy, and Aneta and Robert. The group was outfitted with hats, gloves, paddle jackets, and drysuits making enough swooshing noise to scare off the fish. Despite of the chilling air temperature, it was beautifully sunny and calm. The weather was treacherous though, as it was easy to overheat in the sun, and just as easy to get chilled to the bone once the wind picked up.

The paddle was very scenic. There was no motorboat traffic to compete with, so we could afford being oblivious, paddling in the middle, and gawking at whatever was interesting at the moment, like a parked plane or someone’s open day hatch. We kept up a good pace and good spirit. The water level was high, which allowed a few hard core explorers to venture into the rapids at the end of the lake further than before. Some kayakers went exploring the reed channels and came through victoriously decorated in mucky debris. We ate lunch on a skimpy beach strip, which was easily accessible and accommodated everybody. The paddle would be otherwise uneventful if it weren’t for two people who spontaneously went swimming. One went searching for Nemo and completed a full wet exit. Fortunately, the cold water enthusiast was wearing a drysuit. The other swimmer was less fortunate and got soaked after falling into the icy water off the shore of our resting spot. It wasn’t the first time for either, so they both came out unruffled. The paddle was a pleasant social experience and a good workout.

With all the cold weather gear it took everybody longer to pack up. Roger’s car served as a changing screen, except its alarm went off while a paddler was trying to change. Thirteen of us made it to the Buffalo Head Inn for dinner, where the focal point of the meal was chicken and biscuits with gravy, and not a buffalo head, as one might expect. The desserts were, as always, fabulous.