First of all, thanks to Tamela and Sue, the bloggers during the first five days of our trip. We heard that many people were following us via the blog and that our volunteer bloggers were doing a good job. We very much appreciate Tamela and Sue’s time and effort!
On Sunday, we got up at 5:30 for our planned 6:30 launch. Jan Groff arrived shortly after from her home in Incline Village with coffee, juice, and donuts for the three remaining paddlers to do some carbo-loading for the 13-mile and potentially most dangerous leg that remained. We gathered our things, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed out as planned, arriving at the Cave Rock boat ramp at about 6:30. Mo and I had left our kayaks locked on top of my car the previous night (which Jan was driving) and loaded/locked Trish’s kayak on top of Trish’s car (which Natasha was driving) the night before so that Jan and Natasha could readily drive us early this morning to Cave Rock, a few miles from where we spent the night at Zephyr Cove. We had paddled a bit farther than the other three on Saturday to shorten our last leg along the east coast.
When we arrived at Cave Rock, we were happy to see calm waters, the opposite of last year. After taking a few departure photos, we hit the lake at 6:45. The weather couldn’t have been better for this entire day’s paddle. It was sunny with smooth waters the whole time, even in the afternoon when we typically try to be off the water to avoid rising winds. So, compared with last year’s harrowing journey for this part of the trip, we had a thoroughly enjoyable paddle. We took in the great views along this remote shore in terms of beautiful little coves, rocky coast, and striking houses that appeared here and there. At times we paddled together and chatted and at others we retreated into our own worlds. Mo and I listened to our iPods for an hour or less, the only time we used them during the trip. Singing along to my mix of oldies and modern country songs was great but not very social, so it didn’t seem appropriate to use our iPods very much.
We only stopped twice during this long leg, but we took our time in general because we knew we’d make good time on the calm waters and had posted a planned arrival time of 12:00-1:00. The first stop was a nice little rocky spot without a soul in sight. We sat on big rocks in the water to have a snack from the nearby concession stand (just kidding—no such thing along the east coast; we toted along all food and drinks for the day). The second break was the infamous Secret Cove I’d heard of but had never happened upon. It was a beautiful little cove with about 15 sunbathers and swimmers, most of whom were nude. Mo and I chatted with one man near our landing spot, but Paddlin’ for Pals ambassador Trish walked around a bit and did her usual socializing among the locals of “Nudetown” (my term), including chatting with the man who had dubbed himself the major and caretaker of this site. One man humorously reached into the pocket of his absent pants to give Trish a pretend donation.
Whereas last year felt like a survival finish with all our efforts focused on negotiating rough waters, this time the final leg was like a dream trip. We paddled each cove and bay with no shortcuts (the case for this entire trip) and took time to enjoy all of this beautiful coast. As we neared the Sand Harbor boat ramp, we saw Natasha waving at us from a large rock along the side. Mo, Trish, and I paddled in side by side and landed on the beach about 12:30. One of my graduate students, Andrea Kalleres, was on the beach to greet us with her mother Carol and son Nathan. That was a nice surprise. We took a few photos and chatted a bit with our visitors. Mo and I locked our kayaks to a tree on the beach while Trish and Natasha took Trish’s kayak to Trish’s car to secure on top.
We walked over to Harbor House, where Mo, Trish, Natasha, and I had lunch on the outdoor patio. When I first arrived at the lunch spot, I called Mary, who was still sitting in the Reno airport waiting for her flight (April and Jennie’s flight had left earlier). Squeezing out words amidst tears, Mary described the wave of emotion she’d had all morning from doing and now leaving behind what she considered to be the most significant thing she’d accomplished in her life. That feeling hadn’t yet sunk in for me because I was still winding things up, but it did when I arrived home and lasted for a few days before returning to “real life.” For me this involved a slight sense of depression. For both Mary and me (I haven’t asked the others about this), connecting with something so “basic” while sidelining material things, pushing oneself to one’s physical and psychological limits, and engaging in a cause for the welfare of something other than ourselves and in the company of old and new friends—other women in a similar life stage—was profound (Mary’s term) and visceral (my term).
Jan was initially going to meet us for lunch. I called her just after our last break on the water, when I had regained phone reception, to give her an estimated arrival time only to find her also in tears but for very different reasons. Jan’s mom had just been taken to hospice. Jan is very close to her mom, so this was traumatic. She booked a flight home for the next day. She said she’d pick us up at the beach by the Hyatt in Incline Village, the trip end for Mo and me since Mo had missed the initial leg of the trip because of a late arrival due to flight difficulties.
Susie Frazee and her friend and former co-worker Susan called at the beginning of lunch to say they’d been driving around for 30 minutes trying to come in to meet us. The Sand Harbor parking lots were full and there were no other options. I was bummed that they had driven from Reno to celebrate our ending with us but couldn’t join us. So, I told them we’d arrive at the Hyatt in Incline Village in about an hour and a half if they were willing to meet us there. We said we could use the support to make it through this last leg after an already long and tiring day. Our two visitors decided to do that, and their enthusiasm about seeing us finish was welcome inspiration. (I also learned that another friend, Kim O’Reilly, and her friend Allison had driven from Reno to meet us at Zephyr Cove Saturday but didn’t have the information with them on when and where to meet us. With bad cell phone reception there, they were unable to hook up with us.)
After talking with Mary and being last to order lunch, I felt a little anxious to finish eating and get going. I also knew Susie and Susan were waiting for us at our final destination. And I had a strange sensation of wanting to get back in the boat as if it were home. Since I am a notoriously slow eater, I tried to down my food rather quickly and saved my cookie and most of my chips for later. Mo and I walked to the beach, unlocked our kayaks and carried them to the water, and launched at 2:45. We paddled steadily to complete this final three miles in what would be the longest mileage we’d ever tackled in a day, almost 16 miles. Natasha told us the next day that she had seen us from the road above after retrieving her car from where it had been parked in Incline Village for the week. She honked the horn, but we didn’t hear or see her.
As we approached the finish line at the Hyatt’s beach in Incline Village less than an hour after launching from the Sand Harbor boat ramp, we saw Susie and Susan waving their arms at us from the pier, a welcome sight to give some sense of fanfare to these final moments. (The two told me they had been looking for us the opposite way the whole time and had only minutes before turned around to spot us and consider that these two paddlers might be us.) It seemed fitting that Mo and I were the last to finish this event since we were the two who had embarked on the first version on August 13, 2008.
After locking our kayaks on the beach, we went to the bar at the end of the pier to have a celebratory drink with Susie and Susan. Mo and I thought the slight rocking motion we were feeling was that which we’d experienced most nights after spending many hours on the water. However, after seeing Susan’s face turn increasingly pale and checking on her status, it turned out that the pier itself was indeed swaying. So, we went inside to the bar at the lakeside Lone Eagle Grille, where Susie sprung for drinks for us all. Mo and I tried the bar’s signature alcoholic drink, the Golden Eagle. The drink was too strong for our taste, but we forced it down in the spirit of celebration. Susie and Susan sipped sodas that they didn’t have time to finish before they had to leave for Susan to make a dinner engagement.
Jan soon arrived, looking for us outdoors. Thanks to cell phones, we connected and Jan came inside to sit with us as we finished our drinks. We returned to our kayaks one last time to paddle a short distance to a spot where Jan had parked my car illegally but (thankfully) a bit closer to a take-out point. We loaded the kayaks, dropped Jan off at her house, and headed down the hill to Reno. I was so tired that I barely remember the drive (my apologies to fellow drivers on the Mount Rose Highway at that time). We realized that it was too late to return Mo’s rented kayak to Reno Mountain Sports, which had closed at 5:00.
When we arrived home, we showered and ordered a Pizza Hut mushroom pan pizza that I picked up. We thought a large would allow extra for the next day, but only one piece remained after chowing down while relaxing on my sofa with footrests up. We considered renting a movie from my On Demand system, but instead we intermittently dozed and watched Law and Order episodes with kitties on our laps until we gave in around 10:00 and each headed to bed.
I couldn’t sleep most of the night because of discomfort from the numbness in my arm that hadn’t yet left from prolonged paddling and sleeping on the ground at three consecutive campsites. (As I write this four days after returning and having used my traction machine a few times, I am still struggling to recover.) The next day (Monday), Mo and I returned Mo’s kayak and drove to David Walley’s Hot Springs & Spa in Genoa with paddle pal Suzy Shaffer. Trish met us there for a while, and Natasha stopped by for a brief hello. Both live in the area, which is about 50 minutes from my house in South Reno. Before we entered the resort, we sat on the porch, where Trish pulled out her laptop and showed us a slideshow of our trip photos that she had already created on her Mac to the tune of Toy Story’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman. That was really cool to see. It was touching, and it seemed hard to believe that it was now all behind us.
We went into the spa to see whether the warm mineral waters might help our muscles and joints recover more quickly from this strenuous event. I don’t know if it helped, but it sure felt good sitting in the hot tubs, and we had fun playing in the pool with the four flotation noodles I’d brought. Mo, Suzy, and I finished the night with dinner at the JT, a Basque restaurant in Minden, before returning to Reno. Mo’s flight left early afternoon on Tuesday, and we would now engage the transition back to “real life” that our fellow paddlers had experienced two days before.
(Please check back for our 2009 final trip report and photos to come within the next few weeks. See the left-most tab in the second row of tabs near the top of our home page.)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Day 5 - Saturday, August 15, 2009
Day 5 - Celebration - Part 1
So much for getting a good night's rest! Our weary warriors found it tough to sleep last night because it was freezing cold with temperatures in the 30s. In addition, another bear visited their campsite and interrupted their sleep, causing quite a stir. Rumor has it he was attracted to the "honey" yellow Paddlin' for Paws t-shirts -- looks like they appeal to all demographics!
Day 5 began with a 7:20 a.m. launch (the last boat left at 7:26 a.m.) with calm water that looked like glass. Our paddlers caught a break! They enjoyed a leisurely paddle to a hotel for breakfast, as well as the luxury to make 10-minute stops along the way. However, the conditions changed later in the day, as the familiar "Tahoe chop" made its appearance on the way to Zephyr Cove.
Today marked the final voyage for three of our "Super Six" paddlers: Jennie, April, and Mary. As planned, this "triumphant trio" crossed their much anticipated finish line at Zephyr Cove around 1:30 p.m. They did it! They accomplished their goal! There was much to celebrate, and yet, at the same time, there was a little sadness in the air, as the group knew that they would now split up. Parting really was sweet sorrow!
To shorten the final section of the lake on Sunday, the other half of the "Super Six," Lynda, Mo, and Trish, along with Michelle (who joined for the day), would continue on for an additional three miles to Cave Rock after taking a half-hour break at Zephyr Cove. With a 3 p.m. arrival, they had plenty of time to rest, relax, and recharge. With pre-arranged massages awaiting them, our athletes savored the much-needed spoiling. No one could say they didn't earn a little pampering!
After they finished their massages, they attended a meet and greet at a beach bar. Unfortunately, no one else showed up, but nevertheless they enjoyed their time together. They shared the story of how Mary had earlier approached two women on the beach to solicit them for donations (during a group break). Both women gave her $5 ($10 total for the math challenged!) and shouted out from a bridge above when they later saw them paddling, "We saved one! We saved one!" Nicely done, Mary!
They also reflected on how April's rudder on her boat broke at the last rest stop during the day. It appeared that she would have to pay $150 or more to fix it. However, a big "shout out" goes to Tahoe Kayak Rental, who agreed to fix the boat at no charge because April was a member of the Paddlin' for Paws fundraiser. Thanks again for showing such generosity for the cause!
The group also talked about their visit from Dennis from the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. He stopped by yesterday at the campsite to offer his support. His presence gave our paddlers some additional motivation for their final and toughest portion of the lake on Sunday. Most "normal" people would do the tougher sections first--and then make their final day an easier one. Heck, even the Tour de France has a ceremonial last lap on the final day. However, our yellow t-shirt paddlers would have none of that pomp and circumstance. Their Sunday paddle will be their most grueling one yet. Well, in their minds, I suppose they saved the "best" for last!
Since this will be my final post, Blogger Labman is now officially passing the "blog baton" over to Lynda. It's been an honor having the chance to write about these determined women and their supporters.
Here's to a Super Sunday!
Over and out,
Sue
So much for getting a good night's rest! Our weary warriors found it tough to sleep last night because it was freezing cold with temperatures in the 30s. In addition, another bear visited their campsite and interrupted their sleep, causing quite a stir. Rumor has it he was attracted to the "honey" yellow Paddlin' for Paws t-shirts -- looks like they appeal to all demographics!
Day 5 began with a 7:20 a.m. launch (the last boat left at 7:26 a.m.) with calm water that looked like glass. Our paddlers caught a break! They enjoyed a leisurely paddle to a hotel for breakfast, as well as the luxury to make 10-minute stops along the way. However, the conditions changed later in the day, as the familiar "Tahoe chop" made its appearance on the way to Zephyr Cove.
Today marked the final voyage for three of our "Super Six" paddlers: Jennie, April, and Mary. As planned, this "triumphant trio" crossed their much anticipated finish line at Zephyr Cove around 1:30 p.m. They did it! They accomplished their goal! There was much to celebrate, and yet, at the same time, there was a little sadness in the air, as the group knew that they would now split up. Parting really was sweet sorrow!
To shorten the final section of the lake on Sunday, the other half of the "Super Six," Lynda, Mo, and Trish, along with Michelle (who joined for the day), would continue on for an additional three miles to Cave Rock after taking a half-hour break at Zephyr Cove. With a 3 p.m. arrival, they had plenty of time to rest, relax, and recharge. With pre-arranged massages awaiting them, our athletes savored the much-needed spoiling. No one could say they didn't earn a little pampering!
After they finished their massages, they attended a meet and greet at a beach bar. Unfortunately, no one else showed up, but nevertheless they enjoyed their time together. They shared the story of how Mary had earlier approached two women on the beach to solicit them for donations (during a group break). Both women gave her $5 ($10 total for the math challenged!) and shouted out from a bridge above when they later saw them paddling, "We saved one! We saved one!" Nicely done, Mary!
They also reflected on how April's rudder on her boat broke at the last rest stop during the day. It appeared that she would have to pay $150 or more to fix it. However, a big "shout out" goes to Tahoe Kayak Rental, who agreed to fix the boat at no charge because April was a member of the Paddlin' for Paws fundraiser. Thanks again for showing such generosity for the cause!
The group also talked about their visit from Dennis from the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. He stopped by yesterday at the campsite to offer his support. His presence gave our paddlers some additional motivation for their final and toughest portion of the lake on Sunday. Most "normal" people would do the tougher sections first--and then make their final day an easier one. Heck, even the Tour de France has a ceremonial last lap on the final day. However, our yellow t-shirt paddlers would have none of that pomp and circumstance. Their Sunday paddle will be their most grueling one yet. Well, in their minds, I suppose they saved the "best" for last!
Since this will be my final post, Blogger Labman is now officially passing the "blog baton" over to Lynda. It's been an honor having the chance to write about these determined women and their supporters.
Here's to a Super Sunday!
Over and out,
Sue
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Day 4 - Friday, August 14, 2009
Day 4 - They're out for more!
It's not really a relay race, but more like a marathon....only 45.8 miles longer! (For the math challenged, 72 miles less 26.2 for a marathon = 45.8). So picture this:
Tamela Gorden has just passed the blog baton over to Sue Labman, a born-and-raised Philly girl, who moved over the river (but not through the woods) to the state of New Jersey. I can only hope to maintain Tamela's momentum and pace. Much thanks to Tamela for doing an outstanding job documenting the trials and tribulations of the "Senior Six." I think Lynda and team might not appreciate that moniker, but how many times do you see six women, between the ages of 48-56 (some with limited kayaking experience) out there conquering Lake Tahoe and its winds? It's all about the cause...they are Paddlin' for Paws!
So how did a Philly girl get asked to write this blog? Well, I've "helped" Mo McDonald with some of her preparation for this event. The truth is, when we went on a couple of kayak training sessions this summer at the Jersey shore, Mo (Speed Racer) left me in her wake!
It turns out that nothing slows down Mo and the rest of our "Super Six" (I think they'll enjoy that nickname much more!)...not even the weather!
Our "kayaked krusaders" began Day 4 of their journey with very little sleep. It turns out their friendly neighbors whom they serenaded earlier at the campsite "paid them back" by having a noisy party into the wee hours. It didn't help that a bear showed up in the middle of the night to visit. Apparently, word is really getting out about this event, as he was lobbying to become their new "Paddlin' for Paws" mascot!
The weather forecast was ominous: a small craft advisory, waves 2-3 ft, with 30 mph winds. Under these conditions, small boats can easily capsize. You would think "kayaks" would fall under that category, but our paddlers refused to be scared away. They woke up at 5 a.m. (well, they were sort of awake anyway) to prepare for a 6 a.m. launch. With strong motivation, they proudly left on time, off to conquer the conditions that awaited them. The three guest Paddle Pals (Michelle Parker, Suzy Shaffer, and Jan Groff) joined them for the day.
Lynda and Mo were the last boats to leave, as they were the fastest paddlers. They took the "water less traveled" and paddled along the perimeter. However, the others decided to take a dangerous "short cut" and leave the shore line. (When reunited, the paddlers enjoyed a "safety" lecture given by a college professor!)
The group stopped at some bays and coves along the way, taking some much needed breaks when the weather and time permitted. As Lynda had hoped, our paddlers continue to run off of "heart and strength of spirit." In particular, the newer kayakers, Jennie, April, and Mary, have shown "grit and determination" along the way. They persevered thru some choppy weather and horrible winds, determined to get to the most pristine area, Emerald Bay, as well as to the castle called Vikingsholm. Nothing was going to stop these paddlers!
For lunch, they kayaked to an island tea house. As if they didn't already get enough exercise, they had to take a steep HIKE and CLIMB to earn their meals, which was really just their own snacks they had carried with them.
Thru the use of a trusty cell phone, the group reunited with Jan, Suzy, Michelle, and Trish further down the lake on the way to Baldwin/Kiva beaches. Spirits rose as our fearless nine realized they only had about 3 miles to go for the day. They could relax a little more and enjoy some time on the beach before embarking on their final leg of the day to Camp Richardson. Much thanks to Paddle Pal Natasha for being there to greet our water warriors when they arrived.
Lynda and Mo went on a reconnaissance mission to find their camp site, and more importantly, to confirm the operating hours of the local ice cream shop. While they were there, a woman spotted them in their yellow t-shirts and gave them $20 when she learned about the cause.
After enjoying some soothing showers, our weary travelers felt refreshed and re-energized. For a change of pace, Paddle Pal Jan drove Mo, Mary, and Lynda to Heavenly Village at Stateline, where she dropped them off to hang out for an hour and a half before dinner. Much to their surprise, a lady in a chocolate shop said she read about Paddlin' for Paws in the newspaper and that "you ladies are doing a good thing out there." Feeling like rock stars, the group went wine tasting and then to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. (Dorothy: Mo told the story, complete with sound effects and facial expressions -- so she honored one of your two items. Get ready to "double your donation!"). Much thanks to the Paddle Pals (Jan, Michelle, and Suzy) who treated for the meal.
As planned, the group then went to the Beacon Bar and Grill for a "meet and greet." Dawn and Liz from the South Lake Tahoe Humane Society provided a little pep when they met the group and showed their support. And it turned out the bright yellow shirts came thru again, as another woman donated $20 on-the-spot when she saw them. As if the Lance Armstrong leader-style shirts didn't bring them enough attention, Mo McDonald gave a solo performance of the Philadelphia Eagles "Fly Eagles Fly" fight song for her entire table at the outdoor restaurant. It was all part of a challenge that one of our readers, Dorothy, posted as a comment to the blog. Mo more than fulfilled her end of the bargain so it is time for Dorothy to double her donation and show them the money!!!!!
Later that evening, Lynda (with Mo's assistance) held a "passing of the name and logo" ceremony on the beach with Dawn Armstrong (Executive Director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society) and Liz Maul, Outreach and Education Manager for the organization. After this year's event, they will carry on the energy and enthusiasm of the "Paddlin' for Paws" brand. In a symbolic gesture, Lynda handed over some yellow t-shirts to demonstrate her support and appreciation for them carrying on her concept. It was a little more emotional for Lynda than she anticipated, as she realized that her efforts would continue to live on and hopefully grow into something even bigger. While this event is a personal challenge to our "Super Six" (or in today's case, our "Nifty Nine"), it is all about the fundraising effort. They are Paddlin' for Paws....which really is a great cause!
After the ceremony, some of the group huddled around the campfire chatting for a while before retiring for the evening. With a 6 a.m. rise-and-shine awaiting them in the morning, they wanted to get some much needed rest!
It's not really a relay race, but more like a marathon....only 45.8 miles longer! (For the math challenged, 72 miles less 26.2 for a marathon = 45.8). So picture this:
Tamela Gorden has just passed the blog baton over to Sue Labman, a born-and-raised Philly girl, who moved over the river (but not through the woods) to the state of New Jersey. I can only hope to maintain Tamela's momentum and pace. Much thanks to Tamela for doing an outstanding job documenting the trials and tribulations of the "Senior Six." I think Lynda and team might not appreciate that moniker, but how many times do you see six women, between the ages of 48-56 (some with limited kayaking experience) out there conquering Lake Tahoe and its winds? It's all about the cause...they are Paddlin' for Paws!
So how did a Philly girl get asked to write this blog? Well, I've "helped" Mo McDonald with some of her preparation for this event. The truth is, when we went on a couple of kayak training sessions this summer at the Jersey shore, Mo (Speed Racer) left me in her wake!
It turns out that nothing slows down Mo and the rest of our "Super Six" (I think they'll enjoy that nickname much more!)...not even the weather!
Our "kayaked krusaders" began Day 4 of their journey with very little sleep. It turns out their friendly neighbors whom they serenaded earlier at the campsite "paid them back" by having a noisy party into the wee hours. It didn't help that a bear showed up in the middle of the night to visit. Apparently, word is really getting out about this event, as he was lobbying to become their new "Paddlin' for Paws" mascot!
The weather forecast was ominous: a small craft advisory, waves 2-3 ft, with 30 mph winds. Under these conditions, small boats can easily capsize. You would think "kayaks" would fall under that category, but our paddlers refused to be scared away. They woke up at 5 a.m. (well, they were sort of awake anyway) to prepare for a 6 a.m. launch. With strong motivation, they proudly left on time, off to conquer the conditions that awaited them. The three guest Paddle Pals (Michelle Parker, Suzy Shaffer, and Jan Groff) joined them for the day.
Lynda and Mo were the last boats to leave, as they were the fastest paddlers. They took the "water less traveled" and paddled along the perimeter. However, the others decided to take a dangerous "short cut" and leave the shore line. (When reunited, the paddlers enjoyed a "safety" lecture given by a college professor!)
The group stopped at some bays and coves along the way, taking some much needed breaks when the weather and time permitted. As Lynda had hoped, our paddlers continue to run off of "heart and strength of spirit." In particular, the newer kayakers, Jennie, April, and Mary, have shown "grit and determination" along the way. They persevered thru some choppy weather and horrible winds, determined to get to the most pristine area, Emerald Bay, as well as to the castle called Vikingsholm. Nothing was going to stop these paddlers!
For lunch, they kayaked to an island tea house. As if they didn't already get enough exercise, they had to take a steep HIKE and CLIMB to earn their meals, which was really just their own snacks they had carried with them.
Thru the use of a trusty cell phone, the group reunited with Jan, Suzy, Michelle, and Trish further down the lake on the way to Baldwin/Kiva beaches. Spirits rose as our fearless nine realized they only had about 3 miles to go for the day. They could relax a little more and enjoy some time on the beach before embarking on their final leg of the day to Camp Richardson. Much thanks to Paddle Pal Natasha for being there to greet our water warriors when they arrived.
Lynda and Mo went on a reconnaissance mission to find their camp site, and more importantly, to confirm the operating hours of the local ice cream shop. While they were there, a woman spotted them in their yellow t-shirts and gave them $20 when she learned about the cause.
After enjoying some soothing showers, our weary travelers felt refreshed and re-energized. For a change of pace, Paddle Pal Jan drove Mo, Mary, and Lynda to Heavenly Village at Stateline, where she dropped them off to hang out for an hour and a half before dinner. Much to their surprise, a lady in a chocolate shop said she read about Paddlin' for Paws in the newspaper and that "you ladies are doing a good thing out there." Feeling like rock stars, the group went wine tasting and then to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. (Dorothy: Mo told the story, complete with sound effects and facial expressions -- so she honored one of your two items. Get ready to "double your donation!"). Much thanks to the Paddle Pals (Jan, Michelle, and Suzy) who treated for the meal.
As planned, the group then went to the Beacon Bar and Grill for a "meet and greet." Dawn and Liz from the South Lake Tahoe Humane Society provided a little pep when they met the group and showed their support. And it turned out the bright yellow shirts came thru again, as another woman donated $20 on-the-spot when she saw them. As if the Lance Armstrong leader-style shirts didn't bring them enough attention, Mo McDonald gave a solo performance of the Philadelphia Eagles "Fly Eagles Fly" fight song for her entire table at the outdoor restaurant. It was all part of a challenge that one of our readers, Dorothy, posted as a comment to the blog. Mo more than fulfilled her end of the bargain so it is time for Dorothy to double her donation and show them the money!!!!!
Later that evening, Lynda (with Mo's assistance) held a "passing of the name and logo" ceremony on the beach with Dawn Armstrong (Executive Director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society) and Liz Maul, Outreach and Education Manager for the organization. After this year's event, they will carry on the energy and enthusiasm of the "Paddlin' for Paws" brand. In a symbolic gesture, Lynda handed over some yellow t-shirts to demonstrate her support and appreciation for them carrying on her concept. It was a little more emotional for Lynda than she anticipated, as she realized that her efforts would continue to live on and hopefully grow into something even bigger. While this event is a personal challenge to our "Super Six" (or in today's case, our "Nifty Nine"), it is all about the fundraising effort. They are Paddlin' for Paws....which really is a great cause!
After the ceremony, some of the group huddled around the campfire chatting for a while before retiring for the evening. With a 6 a.m. rise-and-shine awaiting them in the morning, they wanted to get some much needed rest!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Day 3 - Thursday, August 13, 2009
DAY 3 – Keep on Truckin’!
(Anyone remember that cartoon from the 1970s of the guy with the big feet?)
Thursday, the third day of Paddlin’ for Paws, began at 7:00 a.m., roughly 30 minutes later than planned. Natasha and Celia saw the group off from Tahoe City and Zola Ferguson paddled with them for the first three miles of the day before returning on her own to Tahoe City after joining the group for breakfast.
The paddlers’ first stop was the Fire Sign Café in Tahoe City, yet another fantastic breakfast spot. April was feeling slightly unwell, so she skipped breakfast and hung out on the beach. Fortunately she recovered in time to continue the trip.
In a departure from their usual itinerary, in addition to stopping for breakfast the paddlers also made time for lunch at Chambers Landing Restaurant. Chambers is very convenient for kayakers, since the restaurant is smack dab on the lake and has a pier where the paddlers can tie up their kayaks without having to remove all their gear and haul it into the restaurant. Lynda and Mo had made definite plans to stop for lunch, but the other paddlers hesitated because they were concerned about the possibility of afternoon winds and worried about taking extra time away from paddling. However, eventually everyone decided to stop and a good time was had by all.
One of the great parts about kayaking around Lake Tahoe is that you can get a good look at the opulent homes that surround the lake. From the road, many of them are invisible or are only seen as a gate or a garage, but from the water they are spectacular. There are many private beaches and restrictions about where kayakers can land, so Lynda relies heavily on her Lake Tahoe Water Trail map to find good spots to beach. However, that didn’t stop Trish from pulling out on a private beach and having a great chat with a homeowner, ultimately leaving him with information about Paddlin’ for Paws. Nice PR work, Trish!
The homestretch of Thursday’s paddle was a tough one, especially coming at the end of the longest mileage day yet (12 miles), and gave the paddlers a taste of the power of the lake. As the paddlers approached the mouth of Meeks Bay, the wind pushed them back out and they had to paddle furiously to gain any headway. Two paddlers even pulled over to the shore and walked their kayaks briefly along the shore before returning to the lake. The first kayakers to make it to the take-out point cheered each remaining kayaker into shore. When Jennie arrived, it was with only one lens in her polarized glasses—the wind had blown the other one out! All of the kayakers then sprawled on the beach in exhaustion.
At camp, they were greeted by the support crew with their camping equipment and that staple of American life—pizza!
The paddlers’ camping neighbors turned out to be a group of teens and young adults who kindly offered to help set up tents. In an ironic twist, that kindness gave the paddlers extra time later to sit at the picnic table and entertain the campground by singing songs! Somehow I doubt their repertoire was anything a group of 20-somethings would request. What’s that phrase about “no good deed goes unpunished”?!
In camp, the group hung out, napped, read, played Frisbee and Skip-Bo, and generally relaxed and recharged in preparation for Friday. Mary gave everyone quick shoulder rubs, then the Icy Hot and ibuprofen made the rounds as everyone nurtured fatigued shoulders and knees.
Friday could potentially be the most “interesting” day of the trip and the mileage will be the longest yet (13.2 miles). The wind is expected to blow even more strongly than on Thursday, and the paddling will likely be demanding. The group will aim for their earliest launch yet, planning to be on the water by 6:00 a.m. and off the lake before the winds get too strong. It’s unfortunate that Friday is expected to be so challenging because Lynda says that stretch is actually one of the most beautiful of what has already been an extraordinarily scenic trip.
Guest paddlers on Friday will include Jan Groff and Suzy Shaffer in a tandem kayak, as well as Michelle Parker. Michelle saw the Paddlin’ for Paws announcement and really wanted to sign up for the entire trip, but unfortunately it was too late to add another person to the event. Michelle will be paddling with the group on Thursday and Friday, staying with them overnight at Camp Richardson.
Since this is my final post, I’ll wish the paddlers good luck and fair winds and will be checking in on their progress throughout the rest of the week.
Blogger Gorden, over and out.
--Tamela Gorden
(Anyone remember that cartoon from the 1970s of the guy with the big feet?)
Thursday, the third day of Paddlin’ for Paws, began at 7:00 a.m., roughly 30 minutes later than planned. Natasha and Celia saw the group off from Tahoe City and Zola Ferguson paddled with them for the first three miles of the day before returning on her own to Tahoe City after joining the group for breakfast.
The paddlers’ first stop was the Fire Sign Café in Tahoe City, yet another fantastic breakfast spot. April was feeling slightly unwell, so she skipped breakfast and hung out on the beach. Fortunately she recovered in time to continue the trip.
In a departure from their usual itinerary, in addition to stopping for breakfast the paddlers also made time for lunch at Chambers Landing Restaurant. Chambers is very convenient for kayakers, since the restaurant is smack dab on the lake and has a pier where the paddlers can tie up their kayaks without having to remove all their gear and haul it into the restaurant. Lynda and Mo had made definite plans to stop for lunch, but the other paddlers hesitated because they were concerned about the possibility of afternoon winds and worried about taking extra time away from paddling. However, eventually everyone decided to stop and a good time was had by all.
One of the great parts about kayaking around Lake Tahoe is that you can get a good look at the opulent homes that surround the lake. From the road, many of them are invisible or are only seen as a gate or a garage, but from the water they are spectacular. There are many private beaches and restrictions about where kayakers can land, so Lynda relies heavily on her Lake Tahoe Water Trail map to find good spots to beach. However, that didn’t stop Trish from pulling out on a private beach and having a great chat with a homeowner, ultimately leaving him with information about Paddlin’ for Paws. Nice PR work, Trish!
The homestretch of Thursday’s paddle was a tough one, especially coming at the end of the longest mileage day yet (12 miles), and gave the paddlers a taste of the power of the lake. As the paddlers approached the mouth of Meeks Bay, the wind pushed them back out and they had to paddle furiously to gain any headway. Two paddlers even pulled over to the shore and walked their kayaks briefly along the shore before returning to the lake. The first kayakers to make it to the take-out point cheered each remaining kayaker into shore. When Jennie arrived, it was with only one lens in her polarized glasses—the wind had blown the other one out! All of the kayakers then sprawled on the beach in exhaustion.
At camp, they were greeted by the support crew with their camping equipment and that staple of American life—pizza!
The paddlers’ camping neighbors turned out to be a group of teens and young adults who kindly offered to help set up tents. In an ironic twist, that kindness gave the paddlers extra time later to sit at the picnic table and entertain the campground by singing songs! Somehow I doubt their repertoire was anything a group of 20-somethings would request. What’s that phrase about “no good deed goes unpunished”?!
In camp, the group hung out, napped, read, played Frisbee and Skip-Bo, and generally relaxed and recharged in preparation for Friday. Mary gave everyone quick shoulder rubs, then the Icy Hot and ibuprofen made the rounds as everyone nurtured fatigued shoulders and knees.
Friday could potentially be the most “interesting” day of the trip and the mileage will be the longest yet (13.2 miles). The wind is expected to blow even more strongly than on Thursday, and the paddling will likely be demanding. The group will aim for their earliest launch yet, planning to be on the water by 6:00 a.m. and off the lake before the winds get too strong. It’s unfortunate that Friday is expected to be so challenging because Lynda says that stretch is actually one of the most beautiful of what has already been an extraordinarily scenic trip.
Guest paddlers on Friday will include Jan Groff and Suzy Shaffer in a tandem kayak, as well as Michelle Parker. Michelle saw the Paddlin’ for Paws announcement and really wanted to sign up for the entire trip, but unfortunately it was too late to add another person to the event. Michelle will be paddling with the group on Thursday and Friday, staying with them overnight at Camp Richardson.
Since this is my final post, I’ll wish the paddlers good luck and fair winds and will be checking in on their progress throughout the rest of the week.
Blogger Gorden, over and out.
--Tamela Gorden
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Day 2 - Wednesday, August 12, 2009
DAY 2 - THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
SCENE: Tahoe State Recreation Area in Tahoe City, Lake Tahoe, California
TIME: 10:00 p.m.
ACTION: Lynda stands on the very end of a pier that extends far out into the waters of Lake Tahoe. The thin mountain air has relinquished most of the day’s warmth. As she gazes out across the dark lake, a meteor suddenly streaks across the night sky. One of the many gifts of this week on the lake: a chance to view the Perseids meteor shower, away from manmade lights. Chilly, yes, but the show is definitely worth the cold and the late hour.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day two and all is well! Lynda reports that the group pushed off from Kings Beach early on Wednesday morning, less than half an hour later than they had planned. Since it always takes longer to schlep and stow the gear than they think it will, staying on schedule is a challenge.
On Wednesday, the paddlers had a chance to work out their jitters and gain confidence in their kayaking abilities. The paddling was a bit more challenging, choppy water in the afternoon requiring them to dig a little harder to make headway. The group moved at a somewhat leisurely pace, stopping often to stretch and cool off. They reminded themselves that it wasn’t a race and that they should take time to savor the journey. However, they also remained mindful that afternoon winds can kick up suddenly, so getting off the lake by early afternoon was wise.
The paddlers often drifted apart into pods of two and three, but tried to keep the entire group in sight. They passed the time by talking, telling jokes, and—at least on Wednesday—SINGING! I can only imagine the looks on the faces of unsuspecting beachgoers when they heard Broadway tunes wafting out of a hidden cove!
Lynda reported that the paddlers are all doing well, albeit a bit sore and slightly sunburned. At high altitude, water and sun can combine to concoct a whopper of a sunburn, so I hope they’re all slathering on the SPF. Lynda admitted to being somewhat stiff in her legs and . . . ahem . . .derriere . . and that several people had been dipping into the Icy Hot to soothe shoulders and knees. However, overall everyone is healthy and happy and enjoying the experience. The group has gelled well, which is a wonderful thing, considering that some of the paddlers hadn’t even met each other until the first day of the trip.
Paddlin’ for Paws 2009 has brought out a couple of supporters who made a special effort to redezvous with the group along their route. One of Lynda’s former grad students—a middle school teacher at King’s Beach—read about the trip and made a point of seeing them off at Wednesday’s launch. A fellow named John Merryfield also tried to meet them on Wednesday morning, but missed them because they were a bit behind schedule. He’ll be circumnavigating Lake Tahoe next month on a stand-up paddleboard to raise money for Farm Sanctuary and wanted to connect with Lynda.
Because Lynda and Mo missed out on it last year, the group made a point of stopping for breakfast at the Old Post Office Café in Carnelian Bay. Reportedly offering one of the best breakfasts on Lake Tahoe, it did not disappoint.
After a full day of paddling, the group arrived at Tahoe City and secured their kayaks, lugging their gear to their campsite at Tahoe State Recreation Area. Proving once again how vital the support crews are, Terri Bostick had hauled their camping gear to the campground at Tahoe City so it was there when they arrived.
After stowing their gear, the group ambled around Tahoe City, sightseeing and stopping for well-deserved ice cream. I can imagine they made quite a splash walking en masse through town in their bright yellow Paddlin’ for Paws t-shirts. A number of people have questioned them about the shirts, which is, of course, the perfect opening to spread the word about Paddlin’ for Paws. I think we all know that Lynda can talk to just about anyone(!), especially when it comes to discussing issues near and dear to her heart.
People they have encountered along the way have commended them for their cause and have also been amazed by the sheer mileage of the event and the fact that they’re doing it in single kayaks rather than tandems. Paddling the circumference of Lake Tahoe is no walk in the park and the sight of six middle-aged women (ages 48-56) tackling that challenge has impressed the folks they have met. It’s especially remarkable when you realize that several of the kayakers are novices, including Mary, who had never touched a kayak until last month!
Later, they returned to camp for dinner. Another extraordinary volunteer, Celia Ranson, not only drove her camper to the campground at Tahoe City, but also cooked dinner for everyone, including spaghetti, chicken, and that ambrosia of the gods—s’mores! The sunset from the pier, reading, chatting, and Skip-Bo followed as the group relaxed from their labors. Then it was off to bed in two tents (and one cot outside under the stars) to rest up for the next day. Natasha Hrenoff also arrived at the campground to shadow the paddlers for the next few days, providing support and a potential sag wagon for anyone who needs a break.
For Thursday, the paddlers are planning a 6:30 a.m. launch and they’ll try to keep to their schedule in order to be off the lake in the early afternoon. Thursday’s mileage is longer (11.9 miles) and the weather is expected to be somewhat unsettled, so they’ll want every advantage. Lake Tahoe can be treacherous in windy conditions because of the choppy water and shoreline rocks. Taking out earlier isn’t really an option; they need to make it to their destination (Meeks Bay) in order to have a place to sleep.
FUNDRAISING
Lest we forget that the ultimate goal of this event is to raise money for animal charities, I asked Lynda if I could put in a plug for donations. Yes, paddling around Lake Tahoe is an adventure and a good time, but the core of Lynda’s passion for this event is the opportunity to support organizations that help animals. What you may not know is that Lynda has donated hundreds of hours of her time to plan this event, in addition to a substantial amount of out-of-pocket expenses. She does that so every dime donated to Paddlin’ for Paws can go directly to the charities.
The Paddlin’ for Paws website isn’t completely up to date, but Lynda estimates that they have raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000 so far this year. Ideally they would like to raise $6,000, so I encourage everyone to visit the “Donations” section of the website to see how you can help.
--Tamela Gorden
SCENE: Tahoe State Recreation Area in Tahoe City, Lake Tahoe, California
TIME: 10:00 p.m.
ACTION: Lynda stands on the very end of a pier that extends far out into the waters of Lake Tahoe. The thin mountain air has relinquished most of the day’s warmth. As she gazes out across the dark lake, a meteor suddenly streaks across the night sky. One of the many gifts of this week on the lake: a chance to view the Perseids meteor shower, away from manmade lights. Chilly, yes, but the show is definitely worth the cold and the late hour.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day two and all is well! Lynda reports that the group pushed off from Kings Beach early on Wednesday morning, less than half an hour later than they had planned. Since it always takes longer to schlep and stow the gear than they think it will, staying on schedule is a challenge.
On Wednesday, the paddlers had a chance to work out their jitters and gain confidence in their kayaking abilities. The paddling was a bit more challenging, choppy water in the afternoon requiring them to dig a little harder to make headway. The group moved at a somewhat leisurely pace, stopping often to stretch and cool off. They reminded themselves that it wasn’t a race and that they should take time to savor the journey. However, they also remained mindful that afternoon winds can kick up suddenly, so getting off the lake by early afternoon was wise.
The paddlers often drifted apart into pods of two and three, but tried to keep the entire group in sight. They passed the time by talking, telling jokes, and—at least on Wednesday—SINGING! I can only imagine the looks on the faces of unsuspecting beachgoers when they heard Broadway tunes wafting out of a hidden cove!
Lynda reported that the paddlers are all doing well, albeit a bit sore and slightly sunburned. At high altitude, water and sun can combine to concoct a whopper of a sunburn, so I hope they’re all slathering on the SPF. Lynda admitted to being somewhat stiff in her legs and . . . ahem . . .derriere . . and that several people had been dipping into the Icy Hot to soothe shoulders and knees. However, overall everyone is healthy and happy and enjoying the experience. The group has gelled well, which is a wonderful thing, considering that some of the paddlers hadn’t even met each other until the first day of the trip.
Paddlin’ for Paws 2009 has brought out a couple of supporters who made a special effort to redezvous with the group along their route. One of Lynda’s former grad students—a middle school teacher at King’s Beach—read about the trip and made a point of seeing them off at Wednesday’s launch. A fellow named John Merryfield also tried to meet them on Wednesday morning, but missed them because they were a bit behind schedule. He’ll be circumnavigating Lake Tahoe next month on a stand-up paddleboard to raise money for Farm Sanctuary and wanted to connect with Lynda.
Because Lynda and Mo missed out on it last year, the group made a point of stopping for breakfast at the Old Post Office Café in Carnelian Bay. Reportedly offering one of the best breakfasts on Lake Tahoe, it did not disappoint.
After a full day of paddling, the group arrived at Tahoe City and secured their kayaks, lugging their gear to their campsite at Tahoe State Recreation Area. Proving once again how vital the support crews are, Terri Bostick had hauled their camping gear to the campground at Tahoe City so it was there when they arrived.
After stowing their gear, the group ambled around Tahoe City, sightseeing and stopping for well-deserved ice cream. I can imagine they made quite a splash walking en masse through town in their bright yellow Paddlin’ for Paws t-shirts. A number of people have questioned them about the shirts, which is, of course, the perfect opening to spread the word about Paddlin’ for Paws. I think we all know that Lynda can talk to just about anyone(!), especially when it comes to discussing issues near and dear to her heart.
People they have encountered along the way have commended them for their cause and have also been amazed by the sheer mileage of the event and the fact that they’re doing it in single kayaks rather than tandems. Paddling the circumference of Lake Tahoe is no walk in the park and the sight of six middle-aged women (ages 48-56) tackling that challenge has impressed the folks they have met. It’s especially remarkable when you realize that several of the kayakers are novices, including Mary, who had never touched a kayak until last month!
Later, they returned to camp for dinner. Another extraordinary volunteer, Celia Ranson, not only drove her camper to the campground at Tahoe City, but also cooked dinner for everyone, including spaghetti, chicken, and that ambrosia of the gods—s’mores! The sunset from the pier, reading, chatting, and Skip-Bo followed as the group relaxed from their labors. Then it was off to bed in two tents (and one cot outside under the stars) to rest up for the next day. Natasha Hrenoff also arrived at the campground to shadow the paddlers for the next few days, providing support and a potential sag wagon for anyone who needs a break.
For Thursday, the paddlers are planning a 6:30 a.m. launch and they’ll try to keep to their schedule in order to be off the lake in the early afternoon. Thursday’s mileage is longer (11.9 miles) and the weather is expected to be somewhat unsettled, so they’ll want every advantage. Lake Tahoe can be treacherous in windy conditions because of the choppy water and shoreline rocks. Taking out earlier isn’t really an option; they need to make it to their destination (Meeks Bay) in order to have a place to sleep.
FUNDRAISING
Lest we forget that the ultimate goal of this event is to raise money for animal charities, I asked Lynda if I could put in a plug for donations. Yes, paddling around Lake Tahoe is an adventure and a good time, but the core of Lynda’s passion for this event is the opportunity to support organizations that help animals. What you may not know is that Lynda has donated hundreds of hours of her time to plan this event, in addition to a substantial amount of out-of-pocket expenses. She does that so every dime donated to Paddlin’ for Paws can go directly to the charities.
The Paddlin’ for Paws website isn’t completely up to date, but Lynda estimates that they have raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000 so far this year. Ideally they would like to raise $6,000, so I encourage everyone to visit the “Donations” section of the website to see how you can help.
--Tamela Gorden
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day 1 Continued - Actual News!
Day 1 (cont.) – August 11, 2009
Tuesday was chock-full for the paddlers and their helpers. Paddlin’ for Paws is a miracle of logistics and it really does take a village to pull it off. Here’s how the first day unfurled:
Despite a lack of sleep, travel snafus, and some last minute changes to the lineup, the first day of Paddlin’ for Paws went well and everyone managed to not only make it through the day, but also to have some fun.
The paddlers and support crew met at Sand Harbor around 7:20a.m. to kick off the trip. The first order of business was for a kayak rental company to drop off two kayaks for the group, followed by some basic paddling instructions for the three Midwesterners. Terri Bostick met the group and paddled with them for the day.
You may remember radio show host David Alan of KOWL from the 2008 Paddlin’ for Paws event. He followed Lynda and Mo’s progress last year and wanted to get the word out about Paddlin’ for Paws 2009. In the midst of all the launching preparations, Lynda did a live on-air interview on KOWL.
Because Mo’s flight was delayed and she wouldn’t be arriving until later in the day, Paddle Pal Jan Groff paddled Mo’s sleek rental kayak (rented at a significant discount from Reno Mountain Sports) for the first leg of the trip from Sand Harbor to the Hyatt at Incline Village. Unfortunately, “sleek” translates into “less-stable-than-usual,” which led to Jan dumping herself into the chilly waters of Lake Tahoe while trying to get into the kayak! Undaunted by such an unceremonious start, Jan completed the paddle to Incline Village then hopped in her car and drove to Reno to pick up Mo at the airport.
The group began their trip a bit later than planned—around 8:45 a.m.—and arrived at the Hyatt at 10:15 a.m., just in time for a late breakfast. True to Nevada’s reputation for great buffets, the Hyatt buffet proved to be popular and nearly all of the paddlers ordered it.
Mo arrived shortly after 11:00 a.m., just as the other paddlers were leaving to resume their trip. Lynda had chosen to send the other paddlers ahead and stay to have breakfast with Mo, so after fueling up at the Hyatt, Lynda and Mo paddled diligently to catch up with the others at Speedboat Beach by early afternoon. The group took a break and two of the paddlers (Mary and Trish) bravely took a full plunge into the “refreshing” (read: “bitingly cold”—average summertime water temperature at Lake Tahoe is 65-70 degrees!) water while the rest of the group waded along the shore.
After the break, the group paddled the short remaining distance to Kings Beach (less than two miles away) and arrived at 2:45 p.m. In the future, they would like to arrive earlier in the day in order to avoid the potential afternoon winds that are a staple of Lake Tahoe weather, but for today the schedule was fine. The paddlers were all feeling happy and empowered to complete their first day. Mary was especially excited because she had harbored (ooh, a nautical pun!) some doubts about her abilities.
After the kayakers stopped for the day, it took some time to find a place to park the kayaks overnight. Fortunately, a young woman handling kayak rentals allowed the team to secure their kayaks beside hers. Sue Jorth arrived bearing wine, which some of the paddlers drank with her on benches on the beach, enjoying the beauty of the lake.
Once the kayaks were secure, the paddlers walked several blocks to the Apres Ski Club, where Terri had arranged for the group to stay in the bunkhouse. I’m sure they were all very glad to see those beds!
The group plans to launch tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:30 a.m. for their shortest day, a nine-mile paddle to Tahoe City. Tune in tomorrow for more Paddlin’ for Paws news!
--Tamela Gorden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since weather can be a huge factor in kayaking Lake Tahoe, here’s the seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Wednesday...Partly cloudy. Highs 76 to 86. Light winds becoming southwest around 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday night...Clear. Lows 42 to 52. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.
Thursday...Breezy and sunny. Highs 73 to 83. Light winds becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night...Clear. Lows 41 to 51. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph decreasing to around 10 mph after midnight.
Friday...Sunny. Highs 68 to 78. Southwest winds up to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Ridge gusts up to 50 mph.
Friday Night...Clear. Lows 37 to 47.
Saturday Through Sunday Night...Clear. Highs 69 to 79. Lows 36 to 46.
Tuesday was chock-full for the paddlers and their helpers. Paddlin’ for Paws is a miracle of logistics and it really does take a village to pull it off. Here’s how the first day unfurled:
Despite a lack of sleep, travel snafus, and some last minute changes to the lineup, the first day of Paddlin’ for Paws went well and everyone managed to not only make it through the day, but also to have some fun.
The paddlers and support crew met at Sand Harbor around 7:20a.m. to kick off the trip. The first order of business was for a kayak rental company to drop off two kayaks for the group, followed by some basic paddling instructions for the three Midwesterners. Terri Bostick met the group and paddled with them for the day.
You may remember radio show host David Alan of KOWL from the 2008 Paddlin’ for Paws event. He followed Lynda and Mo’s progress last year and wanted to get the word out about Paddlin’ for Paws 2009. In the midst of all the launching preparations, Lynda did a live on-air interview on KOWL.
Because Mo’s flight was delayed and she wouldn’t be arriving until later in the day, Paddle Pal Jan Groff paddled Mo’s sleek rental kayak (rented at a significant discount from Reno Mountain Sports) for the first leg of the trip from Sand Harbor to the Hyatt at Incline Village. Unfortunately, “sleek” translates into “less-stable-than-usual,” which led to Jan dumping herself into the chilly waters of Lake Tahoe while trying to get into the kayak! Undaunted by such an unceremonious start, Jan completed the paddle to Incline Village then hopped in her car and drove to Reno to pick up Mo at the airport.
The group began their trip a bit later than planned—around 8:45 a.m.—and arrived at the Hyatt at 10:15 a.m., just in time for a late breakfast. True to Nevada’s reputation for great buffets, the Hyatt buffet proved to be popular and nearly all of the paddlers ordered it.
Mo arrived shortly after 11:00 a.m., just as the other paddlers were leaving to resume their trip. Lynda had chosen to send the other paddlers ahead and stay to have breakfast with Mo, so after fueling up at the Hyatt, Lynda and Mo paddled diligently to catch up with the others at Speedboat Beach by early afternoon. The group took a break and two of the paddlers (Mary and Trish) bravely took a full plunge into the “refreshing” (read: “bitingly cold”—average summertime water temperature at Lake Tahoe is 65-70 degrees!) water while the rest of the group waded along the shore.
After the break, the group paddled the short remaining distance to Kings Beach (less than two miles away) and arrived at 2:45 p.m. In the future, they would like to arrive earlier in the day in order to avoid the potential afternoon winds that are a staple of Lake Tahoe weather, but for today the schedule was fine. The paddlers were all feeling happy and empowered to complete their first day. Mary was especially excited because she had harbored (ooh, a nautical pun!) some doubts about her abilities.
After the kayakers stopped for the day, it took some time to find a place to park the kayaks overnight. Fortunately, a young woman handling kayak rentals allowed the team to secure their kayaks beside hers. Sue Jorth arrived bearing wine, which some of the paddlers drank with her on benches on the beach, enjoying the beauty of the lake.
Once the kayaks were secure, the paddlers walked several blocks to the Apres Ski Club, where Terri had arranged for the group to stay in the bunkhouse. I’m sure they were all very glad to see those beds!
The group plans to launch tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:30 a.m. for their shortest day, a nine-mile paddle to Tahoe City. Tune in tomorrow for more Paddlin’ for Paws news!
--Tamela Gorden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since weather can be a huge factor in kayaking Lake Tahoe, here’s the seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Wednesday...Partly cloudy. Highs 76 to 86. Light winds becoming southwest around 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday night...Clear. Lows 42 to 52. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.
Thursday...Breezy and sunny. Highs 73 to 83. Light winds becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night...Clear. Lows 41 to 51. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph decreasing to around 10 mph after midnight.
Friday...Sunny. Highs 68 to 78. Southwest winds up to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Ridge gusts up to 50 mph.
Friday Night...Clear. Lows 37 to 47.
Saturday Through Sunday Night...Clear. Highs 69 to 79. Lows 36 to 46.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 1 of Paddlin' for Paws - Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Greetings!
Tamela Gorden here, Lynda's alter ego for the first few days of Paddlin’ for Paws 2009. In case you’re curious why someone you’ve never heard of is “channeling” Lynda, the Reader’s Digest Condensed Books version is this: I know Lynda through several venues, most notably line dancing and a writers’ group. However, don’t let those bona fides fool you—I’m a much better line dancer than I am a writer! Despite that, I’m here to bring you all the Paddlin’ for Paws news that’s fit to print.
After a long first day—made even longer by the fact that she never went to bed last night—Lynda called me just after 10:00p.m. with the day’s report, but unfortunately our telephone connection was sketchy. (For all of you who’ve given up your landlines in lieu of cell phones, my hat is off to you. I marvel at cell phones when they work well and the rest of the time I want to use all those words for which your mother washed out your mouth when you were a kid.)
In the short conversation we managed, I gathered that Lynda has Internet access this evening and will be sending in some basic stats if she can stay awake long enough. When I get that information I’ll post an update, but it won’t be until tomorrow.
So at this point pretty much all I know is 1) the kayakers are fine and 2) more information will follow. I know that many people will be following this blog, so I’ll try to make entries as soon as possible so as not to keep you in suspense.
And if you haven’t already done so, please consider making a donation to Paddlin’ for Paws. It’s a great cause and I know the paddlers will appreciate your support as they make their way around Lake Tahoe.
In the meantime, good luck to the paddlers! Fair weather and safe travels to you.
--Tamela Gorden
Tamela Gorden here, Lynda's alter ego for the first few days of Paddlin’ for Paws 2009. In case you’re curious why someone you’ve never heard of is “channeling” Lynda, the Reader’s Digest Condensed Books version is this: I know Lynda through several venues, most notably line dancing and a writers’ group. However, don’t let those bona fides fool you—I’m a much better line dancer than I am a writer! Despite that, I’m here to bring you all the Paddlin’ for Paws news that’s fit to print.
After a long first day—made even longer by the fact that she never went to bed last night—Lynda called me just after 10:00p.m. with the day’s report, but unfortunately our telephone connection was sketchy. (For all of you who’ve given up your landlines in lieu of cell phones, my hat is off to you. I marvel at cell phones when they work well and the rest of the time I want to use all those words for which your mother washed out your mouth when you were a kid.)
In the short conversation we managed, I gathered that Lynda has Internet access this evening and will be sending in some basic stats if she can stay awake long enough. When I get that information I’ll post an update, but it won’t be until tomorrow.
So at this point pretty much all I know is 1) the kayakers are fine and 2) more information will follow. I know that many people will be following this blog, so I’ll try to make entries as soon as possible so as not to keep you in suspense.
And if you haven’t already done so, please consider making a donation to Paddlin’ for Paws. It’s a great cause and I know the paddlers will appreciate your support as they make their way around Lake Tahoe.
In the meantime, good luck to the paddlers! Fair weather and safe travels to you.
--Tamela Gorden
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