Saturday, March 26, 2011
Finger Lakes State Park, Boone County, Missouri: Great place to Kayak in Mid-Missouri
We had a great day of kayaking at Finger Lakes State Park just north of Columbia, Missouri on March 20th, 2011. This is a reclaimed Peabody Coal strip mine. There are miles and miles of old trenches that have been converted into lakes. I caught a really nice crappie at the end of one of these last year, so when I come back I will need to bring a fishing pole for sure.
We did about 6.8 total miles. I am going to tally up all the miles so far this year and set up some sort of a paddling goal for the year....should be fun, and a good way to keep in shape.
The area has a lot of evergreen-type trees, so it kind of reminds me of what Canada could look like....I would love to kayak the boundary waters in northern Minnesota/Southern Canada real soon!
Paddle ON!
MLT
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Surf Illinois! Kayaking Horseshoe Lake, Madison County, Illinois, March 17th, 2011
If you get a chance, watch this short clip all the way towards the last few minutes. All I have to say is that there is a reason we paddle against the wind to start. The waves started to wip up and white cap with some incredible waves (at least for Illinois) and we rode the kayaks all the way in.
Landing at the dock was a challenge, but we were able to get it done. This lake is REALLY influenced by the effects of wind shear. Great time kayaking!
Paddle ON!
MLT
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Urban Kayaking! Nameoki Slough, Horseshoe Lake, Illinois: Urban exploring with kayaks!
This is the first of (2) videos shot at Horseshoe Lake, Illinois in Madison County, Illinois. The first half of the kayak trip was dedicated to exploring the Nameoki Slough that empties into Horseshoe Lake. I always wanted to know what it would be like going under roads and railroad tracks with a kayak....now I know!
Horseshoe Lake is a very urban paddle. You can see the skyline for metro St. Louis, as well as see, hear and smell the U.S.Steel- Granite City Foundry. The main part of the slough is very shallow (I would guess 2 feet or less), so this would not work with a traditional boat.
The second half of the paddle we explored the main lake. It was INCREDIBLY windy, and so when you watch that video, you will see us almost surfing the kayaks back to shore.
Paddle ON!
MLT
Horseshoe Lake, Monroe County, Illinois: Great urban kayak trip- wind made paddle very interesting!
Urban Kayaking-Surf Illinois! Horseshoe Lake Illinois
Share your Adventures with SpotAdventures
This was a great trip...I am producing (2) film clips. One is of us kayaking under road and railroad tracks in the Nameoki Slough, the other film is kayaking the main lake and then the "surf" we road coming back to shore. Very, very enjoyable trip with my good friend, Ray Schroeder.
Paddle ON!
MLT
Monday, March 14, 2011
Fourche La Fave River, Arkansas, March 9th 2011: Quick evening paddle on the Forche in Arkansas
This was a nice, quick paddle. The temps got a bit low, but that was alright due to the fact that at this point we were out of the wind. Got a chance to paddle with a Great Blue Heron in front of the kayak the whole trip. I also saw one of the healthiest Red Foxes I have ever seen. Seemed real unfortunate that so many have used this river as a trash can. Could really use a stream team to clean it up. Seemed to have pipes dumping right into the river as well. Could be a real scenic river on the east end if it was just cleaned up a bit....a real shame. Seems like a river with some real potential.
Paddle ON!
MLT
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Creve Coeur Lake, St. Louis County, Missouri March 6th 2011: Path route and photos- great winter kayak trip!
Creve Coeur Lake, St. Louis County, Missouri March 6th 2011: Great late winter kayak trip! 40 degree temps- no problem!
Share your Adventures with SpotAdventures
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Creve Coeur Lake, St. Louis County, Missouri March 6th 2011: Much cooler day- makes you appreciate the spray skirt!
This was an interesting day due to the fact that Creve Coeur Lake was not my first choice. I had originally decided to go out to Coffeen Lake in Illinois. After crossing the river, I noticed just about every creek and river were out of their banks, and once I arrived at the lake, it was really high. Also, due to the fact that a power plant is attached to this lake (Coffeen), there was a ton of boat traffic, high water conditions, and it really got very windy and cold. So I decided not to go in....something did not feel right and safe with the lake.
On my way back home, I was wondering if I had made a right decision. Will this cause me to buy a mini van? possibly start drinking prune juice? Will I start taking Lipitor now? I was really getting down on myself for not jumping in. Had I turned into a paddy boy? Then, as if by divine providence, the sun came out as I crossed the Mississippi River. "Hey, how about Creve Coeur Lake?" a voice in my head bellowed to me.....and I answered "Why Not?". The rest of the story is in the film.....enjoy!
Paddle ON!
MLT
Monday, March 7, 2011
Table Rock Lake, Old Hwy 86 Use Area, Stone County, MO: Incredibly peaceful paddle, great to get out on the lake!
I do not know if this video does the incredible beauty of Table Rock Lake justice....but we gave it our best effort to get some of it on film. Always remember, Life is good....and Life is better on a kayak!
Paddle ON!
MLT
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Table Rock Lake, Old Hwy 86 Use Area, Stone County, MO: Nice 3 mile paddle, Table Rock still real low
Table Rock Lake, Missouri Old Hwy 6 Use area
Share your Adventures with SpotAdventures
This was a nice late afternoon paddle. Table Rock Lake, Missouri can get to feeling like paddling on the sound side of the Outer Banks, NC when the wind starts to wip up. No white caps in the main channel, but lake started to swell a bit. Got a little weird when I got past the point into the main lake- really started to feel the effects of the wind. This lake can get real rough in March....I have seen it get to looking like the Atlantic Ocean on days past. Not quite at that level on this one, fortunately
Paddle ON!
MLT
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Bull Shoals Lake, Beaver Creek Public Use Area, Taney County, Missouri, March 1st, 2011
The Missouri Ozarks are incredibly beautiful in early March! This was an incredible day to get out and paddle. I am so glad for it! Did about 6.8 miles and really enjoyed my time out in the ozarks! I will come back next time with a light spinning rod outfit and do a little fishing as well! Looks like this part of the lake has nice walleye and white bass numbers
Paddle ON!
MLT
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