Category: Paddle Bob

sunrise_09_11_08.jpg

Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

Maybe it’s because today is 9/11, but this sunrise seemed more profound than the others I’ve witnessed while paddling Lake Loudon. I paused to listen to the herons squawk and watch the light ripple across the water while I reflected on that horrible day seven years ago …
I covered a lot of ground this morning, paddling upstream on Loudon and then heading up Gallagher Creek, past International Harbor Marina and into a minefield of rocks. I managed to get hung up there for a bit but managed to patiently work my way out of it and decided it was time to head back home.
A few planes ascended from McGhee Tyson as I paddled back, another reminder of 9/11 and that I have to a flight to D.C. this afternoon for the Online News Association conference.
I’m not looking forward to flying again. I’ve taken particular glee in watching those planes soar above me, heading for Atlanta and Cincinnati while I’m paddling along. I didn’t realize how much I hated flying until I had a chance to do a lot less of it. I wish I could paddle to D.C. …

paddle_09_09_08.jpg

Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

Riotous weather last night. I wasn’t sure if I should risk a paddle this morning, but I didn’t hear thunder so I set off under cloudy skies after sponging rainwater out of my kayak.
I paddled downstream along the south shore a few miles and was toying with trying to get to the daymark at mile 606, but I decided not to try my luck and cut across to the north shore to poke around in large cove for a while. I saw a few deer grazing and startled a several herons before heading home.
When I walked in the door, it started to pour. I’d managed to find a space “between the heaves of storm,” as Emily Dickinson would say. Perfect.

sunrise09_08.jpg

Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

Here’s this morning’s sunrise over Prater Flats, just off Lake Loudon in Knoxville. You can see the bow of my new kayak in the frame. Make note of the Steeler black and gold.
This shot was taken with my old DImage Xg digital camera, which I had to resort to when my Nikon Coolpix S1 took an unexpected bath last week. Seems getting out of the new kayak isn’t as easy as it would seem, and I ended up in the drink, along with the camera and my Blackberry. I had the presence of mind to enclose the Blackberry in a Ziplock back so it survived unscathed. The camera wasn’t so lucky. But the memory card did survive and now lives on in the Dimage …
I hit the water early today under shimmering starry skies. During the weekend, I added a few new pieces to my kayak paraphernalia, including a flashing strobe that hopefully will stop a bass boat from turning me into a predawn speedbump and a waterproof bag that can hold both my Blackberry and camera.
It was a great paddle. I managed to explore parts of Prater Flats that I haven’t been to yet. I’m able to cover a lot more ground in the same amount of time when paddling the kayak. And I even managed to disembark without taking an unplanned bath …