Lights on the Lake 2008

Starring:

Rick, Cindy, Roger, Anne, Remo, Phil, Christine, Patti, Patty, Walt, Greg, Lynn, Robert, Aneta, David F., Debbie, Jim, David L., Ezra, Roxanne, Roxanne’s daughter Julie, and Hugh

Guest Stars:

John, County Park Ranger

Vic, undercover CNY Kayaker on a non-kayaking mission

Supporting Cast (in the order of appearance):

A newspaper reporter, Mickey – Jim’s wife, Tish and Gene, and Jody – Hugh’s wife

Prologue

Sunday December 28, 2008. Severe weather advisory is in order for Central New York until 7 pm due to wind gusts of up to 45 mph. Nonetheless, 22 paddlers arrive at the launch site for the 3 o’clock annual Lights on the Lake paddle. Despite of the strong wind, it is surprisingly warm and sunny. Vic arrives to see us off. He won’t be kayaking; he is about to go running. After a brief discussion the decision is made not topaddle the lake. We will stay on the safe side and paddle the river instead.

Act I: Heart over Mind, Desire over Instinct

It takes a while for everybody to launch. Those already in the water are drifting with the wind on the wrinkly water surface. Some go towards the mouth of the channel to assess the conditions on Onondaga Lake. All accounted for, tentatively and ever so innocently we start towards the lake. It’s there, luring and beckoning us with the lack of white caps and relatively calm waters. Come to me! Come to me! Like the mythological Sirens who wooed sailors to their demise with their beautiful singing, the lake woos us onto its open waters.

Act II: Off to Not-So-Good a Start

The wind is pounding brutally from the west. We paddle huddled closely to the shoreline for safety. As we make slow progress the wind speed increases, and our refuge of the shore becomes peril for some. The waves are big and aggressive, and the shore’s close proximity causes them to break against our boats. The halt is issued as it becomes apparent we must go back immediately. The dispersed group scurries to turn around, but it proves much harder than expected. For some, it proves impossible.

Act III: Chaos

Less than half of the group is able to turn around. Fighting tooth and nail to overcome extreme weather conditions, they return to the launch site safely. The rest of us aren’t so lucky. The kayaks are rocked erratically by the waves, sprayed with furious gushes of water, and crashed against the shore and one another. Some paddlers cannot turn their boats around and are pushed against the rocky shore. Others turn back successfully but wind up smashing against the shore all the same. One kayaker capsizes only a few feet from land. One by one, the paddlers give up and start exiting onto the shore. We end up scattered alongside various points of Onondaga Lake Park shore. The lake has no mercy. It cackles with menacing delight.

Act IV: Scramble

Having assessed the immediate damage, or rather a surprising lack thereof, we start helping each other out. Once on shore, one group drags their kayaks through the grass and indiscriminately the goose poop to join the other group. As we deliberate, the County Park truck pulls up. County Ranger John, contrary to our expectations, does not yell at us but courteously offers his help. He agrees to watch our kayaks while we bring our cars around. He also grants us permission to drive onto the pedestrian walkway, an admirable exception to the park rules. We scatter off quickly anxious to have this freak show over with. Dressed rather odd for walking in the park and leaving a wet trail behind like a snail would, we proceed on foot to our vehicles parked a considerable distance away. At this time the whole scene is being photographed by a reporter, and every soul in the park gawks at us. Surely, we had it coming.

Act V: Rescue

Vic happens to still be lingering around in the park. Luckily, so is his Jeep. Three paddlers get a ride to their cars. The group moves swiftly and efficiently shuttling cars and people to help one another retrieve and load the scattered and abandoned kayaks. All paddlers and gear are accounted for. Some are wet, some are cold, but nobody is hurt.

Epilogue: Cheers!

We caravan to Jim’s house where his hospitable wife Mickey awaits with drinks, appetizers, dinner, and desserts. Tish, Gene, and Hugh’s wife Jody join us for the party. We recount the juiciest details of our adventure. We have a great time sitting in front of the fire surrounded by friends, savoring the delicious food, and celebrating our last paddle of 2008. What a way to end the season!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many thanks to John of Onondaga County Parks and Vic (who knew better) for lending us a helping hand, as well as to Jim and Mickey Hunter for hosting a wonderful party for over 20 crazy kayakers.

Report by Aneta Nessel

Images and Panoramas by Roger Harrod

Images by Greg Ramsey

Images by Jim Hunter