Saturday, June 7, 2008

Oak Lake on June 7


P6070271
Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso
I traveled north to Oak Lake today, it's about 20 minutes from my home in Elkton.

Conditions for paddling were near-perfect, with mid 70 temperatures and light west wind.

Oak Lake's put-in was a muddy swamp, but it did not seem to slow folks down. There were seven or more trailer/truck rigs parked near the primitive launch and on the road close by.

But for a paddler, the launch is a perfect shallow beach of gravel, with no large rocks or branches. I put in there, then headed down the near shore.P6070273

Oak Lake has a few cabins and farms upon it, but it is mostly a haven for fishing enthusiasts. I counted 10 or more boats, and even two personal water craft took the lake in the wonderful summer sun.

I saw a few pelicans, and scant turtles, but for the most part, Oak Lake is nothing "wow" inducing. It had clean water P6070285and decent scenery and on a less-busy day it might have more bird life.

It took about two hours of paddling, slow paddling, esp. at the beginning, before I got to the far end of the lake and back again. I did travel up this channel, but it was a dead-end. P6070289 I paddled the CD Sirocco and it was a good late afternoon on water, I must say.

Bies for peace


P.S. - Check out the pocket kitty!P6070268

New cruise announced


P4190035
Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso
Laura and I, vis-a-vis the club, are hosting a cruise on the Big Sioux River June 28.

We'll start at the Pow Wow grounds put-in, one mile north of Flandreau on Highway 13, at 11 a.m.

We'll paddle down to the low-head dam (not over it, natch) in Flandreau, should take about three hours, give or take.

The route runs through the fat "braided" part of the Big Sioux River near the finish, so it should be fun, with room to explore some channels and backwater.

No need to register, just show up, but if you have questions, write me an e-mail or post a comment.

Jarett