AM Paddle Report

[Libby Wolf]

Karyn and I put in at Bradstreet a little after 10:30 this morning. The wind was from the south at 5mph, water temp 72, and the Lake Erie surface was almost like glass. We paddled away from shore then headed west for 6.5 miles, at around 4.5mph. That seems to be my set point on speed. My recently purchased Merganser still needs flotation bags (anyone finished with or selling theirs?) and the seat stabilized, so I was in my Solstice, and Karyn paddled her Rumour.

We turned south to get closer to shore, for our paddle back. Coming east we were treated to a preview of this weekend's air show. Moving along the shore, it's hard not to comment on some of the architecture and engineering of the lake houses, their "extra" houses, and the stairs and other creative ways people get from the cliff to the water. Guess I'd do whatever it takes to enjoy it, too.

The water got a little choppy as we got closer to Bradstreet, but that didn't stop a couple of swimmers from their morning exercise. Even with minimal water movement, they were hard to see until we were fairly close. It's easy to appreciate how difficult it is for the Coast Guard to locate a swimming paddler.

We put in around two o'clock, I got my diet coke and chips, and headed home. I noted a Tall Ship on the horizon as I drove toward downtown Cleveland.

BTW, some of us are meeting Saturday morning, September 1, probably at Wendy Park, to paddle to the outside of the break wall to watch the air show. Per the USCG, no boats will be permitted inside the wall. I'll send out an update on this before Friday evening.

~ Libby Wolf