Paddling Hemlock Lake

First trip of the year, Mandi borrowed Cody's kayak and we headed out. The lake water is high and cool and it was a good respite to the heat. We were discussing ways to bring Alyss along next time. Pulling her along in a inner tube is leading the options for now. Here is a short video clip.

Make hay when the sun shines

Or make tracks when the snow falls!! A return to winter brought a few inches of wet heavy snow yesterday so after work I took the chance and loaded up my gear and headed for Harriet Hollister State Park on the south end of Honeoye Lake to see if the additional 900' of altitude had made a difference. It sure had, 8-10" of snow greeted me and although it was wet and a little sticky I got in a quick 5k before the light started to fade. It was snowing as I left so anyone that can get out today should find good conditions again.

Life is a beach!!!

I took the day off from work and headed NE to the eastern shore of lake Ontario, to Southwick State Park. The prediction was for NW going W and 14 knot winds, perfect for traction kiting. It was a little light when I got there and met Bob, the beach's chief buggier. I tried a couple different kites with no luck and was starting to worry the trip was for naught when Bob offered the use of his NPW9 3.4M and it did the trick. I powered around for the better part of an hour before fatigue started setting in. The wind had gone W and the velocity picked up so after a break I got my NPW 3M out and it was now enough. My longest run was a mile and a half to the south before turning around to come back. It was a blast and I will definitely go back. It was great to meet Bob and Pat, thanks to Bob for his introduction to the area and use of his toys.
Note to self, if you are going to run the edge of the water, wear waterproof pants and gators. Brrr that water was cold!!!
Pics are of Bob and his NPW9 3.4M

Boogie in the buggy

I met with Ron at Cmac and the winds were cranking. He has redesigned his land sailor and needed to test it. So of course I had to go along and make sure he stayed safe. A couple hours later and it was pronounced a success.
I started with a 1.8M kite and quickly moved up to the 3M NPW. 2.5 hrs, 15miles, and a max speed of 33mph, what a blast.
Here are a couple pics of Ron "hiking" across the lot. Nice!!!
Cut and paste the link for a youtube video of Ron and his landsailor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuvT0IfYurk&feature=youtu.be

Kayaking Irondequoit creek

I met Ron and a bunch of folks from the Rochester Outdoor Adventure Club at Irondequoit Bay and we dropped cars and headed for Ellison Park. We paddled for about an hour and a half back down stream to the bay. It was my first time there and I was amazed how there can be such a seemingly wild place so close to Rochester. The day was amazingly summer like and a great way to start the paddling season.

Ron's land sailor maiden voyage

Ron finished fabricating his land sailor and was anxious to give it a try. The weather was favorable so we headed to Cmac parking and had a blast cooking around the lot. He hit a top speed of 28mph and did over 12 miles painting the parking lot with his track log on his GPS. I would say the test was a success. Here is a link to a youtube video, more to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFQqUrZQhS0&feature=plcp&context=C32ce80eUDOEgsToPDskLQt3QA8BOlBJrtOpCg3KqK

Youtube video, more traction kiting onHoneoye Lake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGY6XMayRR8