Bennie's first Kayak

It seems like project and kayak weather didn't come together until now. Last year he was really too little; this year I've been working with him on swimming (he's great at wading). The weather was forecasted to be nice so we tested Bennie's tolerance to life jackets. We each have a different colour so it's easy to know if they're all there*. Today the weather was nice so off we went to a nearby lake. Bennie wasn't in a kennel for the short trip. He sat on the backseat and took awhile to relax but he doesn't seem to mind motion. If Duffy wasn't in a kennel he curled up as far under the driver seat as possible.This was looking good for kayaking.

Went up to Stave Lake for a paddle / peddle yesterday. Beautiful.

Went up to Stave Lake for a paddle / peddle yesterday. Beautiful.

Milo is very calm in the boat just watching stuff under the surface. The water is very clear.

A plane landed on the lake we were kayaking on this morning then took off again

A plane landed on the lake we were kayaking on this morning then took off again
https://youtu.be/U-vB9L4UMPE

Perfect Saturday. Kayak with the family, lunch and a lounge afternoon.

Perfect Saturday. Kayak with the family, lunch and a lounge afternoon.

Milo was in the back today. He fell in once but we got everything sorted. Lake/ slough had lots of fish and he's watching for them.

Milo went out on my kayak today.

Milo went out on my kayak today.

We hadn't been taking the dogs out last year because Duffy was too antsy and Milo started complaining as well. Today he was quiet. Milo was in the front for awhile then we tried him on Fred's yak because it has more room on the front. Milo didn't seem happy so we stuck him in the back of mine. On the front he keeps sliding and his foot can go in the peddle well.

Went to Peck Lake, no dogs.

Went to Peck Lake, no dogs.

Saskatchewan lakes have sandier beds so not as much algae. Dogs were happy to stay home, it's a long ride on a bump road in a kennel. We went for a walk after yard work was done.

Does retaining the name promote discussion of residential schools?

Does retaining the name promote discussion of residential schools?

I don't think it does unless you go there. I certainly had no idea who it was named after, just that it's a good school. There's something to be said for naming institutions in a neutral manner.NAIT, SAIT, BCIT,SIAST.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4210803

First trip with the dogs for the year.

First trip with the dogs for the year.

Took awhile for the dogs to settle but eventually they did. Wind came up on the way back. Apparently it doesn't matter where you are, get of lakes around lunch time as that's when the motor boats come out.

Yakking sans les chiens.

Yakking sans les chiens.

It was so quiet without the peanut gallery insisting we stay very close together and they liked seeing us when we got home. We'll take them out with us for sure when we're on holidays but Milo and Duffy get vocally restless.

First Kayak of the year. No dogs.

First Kayak of the year. No dogs.

Fred got a new rudder and we're out of practice so we thought we'd leave the dogs at home today. It was a beautiful morning. Saw ducks and geese. Looking forward to the season.

I miss summer.

I miss summer.

That's Duffy swimming beside Fred.

Last kayak for the year. No rush to get out.

Last kayak for the year. No rush to get out.

Just another paddle around Sandy Beach. Dogs don't come when it's just one kayak going out or we're just minutes up the road. I'll be wearing a jane suit and jacket. Later it's cleaning the yaks and finishing this week of course work.

Almost the last time for the season I think.

Almost the last time for the season I think.

Another wet suit trip without the dogs. Fred was water detecting so I paddled around the lake. Tried the seat in the low setting, nicer for paddling. All those upper body exercises have paid off, went out for over an hour and shoulders/arms feel good enough to do yard work when I got home. Got a couple bushes cut back so they can be transplanted.

Getting close to the end of the season.

Getting close to the end of the season.

When I first wanted to get a kayak it was so I could kayak while Fred metal detected. This is the first time we tried this out - the dogs stayed home. I paddled instead of using the mirage drive, it was relaxing. I also got the chance to put away the kayak myself, deflating and folding into the bag. Very doable for this older woman:)

Next season I should have the S8 (provided it's waterproof) I find I miss a lot of shots fiddling to get my phone out of the waterproof pouch. No I'm not getting one of those hefty life cases.

We've been kayaking in the Cook Islands since we started going there. This year we finally decided to kayak at home. I have a tow kit on the Porsche but we decided we didn't want to pull stuff. After looking around we decided to get Hobie Inflatable kayaks because they fit inside.

We've been kayaking in the Cook Islands since we started going there. This year we finally decided to kayak at home. I have a tow kit on the Porsche but we decided we didn't want to pull stuff. After looking around we decided to get Hobie Inflatable kayaks because they fit inside.

Our dogs are small and demanding. Go faster, let us swim, need to pee, why can't we all be in the same boat. Still once everyone gets settled it's a soothing activity:)

Mostly we go to prairie lakes in Alberta and Saskatchewan. We took them with us out to the West Coast and had a blast.

#noshare

Weather luck changed today, windy and cloudy trip to Little Fishing Lake.

Weather luck changed today, windy and cloudy trip to Little Fishing Lake.

Last weekend we went to Little Fishing Lake, SK and it was lovely and calm. There is a nice boat launch with a fish cleaning station. Almost directly across the lake from the boat launch is a nice little beach we can play with the dogs off leash. Accessible by boat and quad.

Today, Fred finally got to try the sail. Duffy lost sight of me and decided to try swimming back to the truck! Got to the far end but decided not to stop. Duffy just swam over so we could all be together. I got to experience waves - much wetter good thing the water is still warm. Ended up wearing my Level 6 SUP jacket with the hood up to protect my ears - yes it was that windy.

Splashing through waves really showed the short coming of HOBIE's method for attaching the steering to the seat. The screw was constantly backing off resulting in wave broadsides. If the craft wasn't so stable it would be a problem. We're going to do a Red Green* thing but with bungie cable instead of duct tape.

*Do not ask who/what Red Green is.

#Hobie #Kayaking

Hobie Inflatable kayaks are a great option if you don't like towing.

Hobie Inflatable kayaks are a great option if you don't like towing.

We've had our kayaks for awhile so thought it was time for a product review. We got them so we could put them in the Macan rather than towing or putting them on the roof.

They set up really quickly, we use an electric pump with a hand pump finish. With two of us working we can get them in the water in less that 10 minutes as long as the parking location is close to the launch. Usually one of us pumps up the kayaks and the other gets the chairs, paddles and dogs organized then puts away bags as they are no longer needed.

Tear down is a little more involved as we like to wipe it down. Still, working as a team, we can get done in less than 20 minutes as long as the dogs settle down. I've started leashing them to the truck and we're getting better with folding. Once stuff is in the bag the vehicle is finished packing in under 5 minutes.

The kayaking experience is awesome as these are very stable. They kind of have to be since we are constantly maneuvering around with the dogs, either popping them from the back to the front of the seat or in and out of the boat (from the water or other kayak). Fred has been out in whitecaps and the performance was good. I've only been out in wake waves and again, very stable feeling. The mirage drive is great for distances. Needless to say, much easier to peddle than paddle. That said, I find I can paddle as quickly under calm conditions, it's just that my shoulders tire and the dogs can get in the way if they are restless.

Cons - they do take longer to get in the water and they seem heavier but that may be because of the weight distribution when packing up. Fred has had problems with his steering (12'). I finally sewed a bead on each knot to prevent the line from pulling through. According to Hobie, because the tubes that hold the lines can pinch it's important to reduce folding. That's not as much of a factor with the 9' that I have.

Now that we've been using them at least once a week since we got them I feel we've hit the highs and lows. While spendy, they really fit the bill and we should be using them for many, many years.
#Hobie #Kayak

Another sunny Saturday, another lake to kayak, Laurier

Another sunny Saturday, another lake to kayak, Laurier

Largish lake but not very deep I think. Cabins with sandy beaches. Duffy swam over to me then settled for the rest of the trip. I think Milo was looking at fish.

Went kayaking today at Whitney Lake.

Went kayaking today at Whitney Lake.

Went fairly early so we were on our way home around noon when all the power boats and seadoos came out to play. There were fishers and other kayakers out and there was enough wind for Fred to give sailing a try.

Two beaches, the one we were at with the dogs is only accessible by boat.

Two beaches, the one we were at with the dogs is only accessible by boat. 

By the way, this is Stave Lake again.