Suffering The Benz

sunrise_09_19_08.jpg

Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

When i started paddling this summer, I sent an initial goal of getting to Concord Park, which is about a 12-mile roundtrip journey from our house. This morning I made it, and I took this photo of sunrise at Concord Yacht Club to prove it.
It took me about three hours to do the entire trip, and the last mile or two was pretty rough. But overall, I’m convinced I can go even farther if I pace myself right.
Lara seemed duly impressed that I’d made it to Concord Park, but when I told her my next goal was to get to New Orleans, she winced. So I think I’ll rein in my ambition and shoot for Lenoir City, which is about 14 miles RT from here.

cloyd_creek

Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

I intended to do one of my usual paddles today, but I was feeling pretty good when I hit the daymark at mile 608 and I kept going. I passed Leapers Bluff and went into a south shore cove that is fed by Cloyd Creek. I’ve taken the bowrider up there a few times but always stopped at the Unitia Road bridge. Clearance was low and I didn’t want to risk banging up the boat going through.
But in the kayak I pressed ahead amid moonlight-lit fog, paddling past trees spun with spider webs. I went as far as I could before downed limbs forced me to turn and head back.
Overall, a great paddle that really helped clear the cobwebs out of my head. I figure I managed about 9 miles this morning.

sunrise_09_17_08.jpg

Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

My friend Tom was over on Tuesday night, and we were marveling at the moon. It’s started to wane, and Tom noted it’s a gibbous moon and that the light the moon casts across the earth is called the moonglade. Needless to say, that was on my mind before sunrise Wednesday when I was paddling through the light of that gibbous moon as it reflected off Lake Loudon.
I really wanted a photo of the moon. It was impressive. But I had to settle for this sunrise. Not a bad bargain, I guess. But I really wanted a shot of that gibbous moonglade.
I paddled Prater Flats again, focusing on center islands and stumbling across a few shallow coves I’d yet to explore. Probably put in about 6 miles or so.