The Sylvan Beach paddle, in the oppressively hot and humid weather, attracted 16 paddlers: Bob, Walt, Happy, Sandy, Kim, Jim, Christine and Phil, Annie and Jerry, Rick and Cindy, Remo and guest, and Aneta and Robert. After some deliberation of which course to take, the route of Oneida Lake to Oneida Creek was selected. It was a great move, since paddling on a breezy and wonderfully wavy Oneida Lake was both very pleasant and scenic.

The first two miles or so were along the Oneida Lake shore. It was a beautiful day and thanks to the breeze and splashing waves we no longer felt like fried chickens. Not everyone felt comfortable with the waves, though, and not everyone had a skirt. While most people didn’t mind getting wet, some perceived it as torture. After a while we realized we were missing Rick and Walt, who were wrongly presumed to be paddling ahead.

We finally reached Oneida Creek and transitioned from the volatile lake into soothing scenery of the creek. It was perfect for relaxing, watching wild life, and cooking in your own sauce due to the lack of wind. We meandered leisurely, chatted, and soaked in the sun. We stopped for a break at one of the turns, where everybody ate, some indulged in wine, some went swimming, and some ventured out farther down the creek. By the time we set out to go back, the two lost sheep, Walt and Rick, returned to the flock. The merry group grew even larger when we encountered Christine and Phil.

Paddling back seemed faster and easier. We were going with the current on the creek, and the lake calmed down considerably as well, making for an easier paddle. By the time we got back, we completed 9.6 miles round trip. Six paddlers enjoyed a meal at the Crazy Clam restaurant.