Author: Bob Benz

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Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

I paddled over to Prater Flats before sunrise today under clear skies and a waxing moon. We’ve been getting phenomenal fall weather. It’s in the upper ’50s before sunrise.
I tend to hug the shore because you see more that way, and I was moving at a pretty good clip when I ran aground hard. I was sitting atop a giant boulder that was just barely beneath the surface. I can’t believe I didn’t dump the kayak and it proved the hull is pretty strong. I felt it bend when I hit the rock, but there was no damage. I rocked and paddled backward till I managed to get loose.
I spun my kayak around to shoot this photo as I returned to the main channel. It probably was about 6 or 7 miles roundtrip given all the drifting around I did in coves back there.

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Originally uploaded by Suffering the Benz

I managed to paddle about eight miles this morning, which took me past Leaper’s Bluff and within sight of the predawn lights in Lenoir City. I wasn’t ready to go there yet, but I’m going to give it a shot soon.
As I crossed Loudon to return to the north shore, I saw this pre-sunrise glow above Leaper’s Bluff.
Great morning for a paddle. About 60 degrees and clear, starry skies when I set out. Fall definitely is in the air …

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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.