07-18-21 Scrapes and Stings and Paddles
My adventure friend, Diane invited me to go Kayaking today. I couldn’t wait. It has been at least 15 years since I have done so and that was in Ganges Harbour off Salt Spring Island. I was getting ready to leave and she had mentioned needing another strap so I haded to the shed to get one to bring. I twisted. My ankle off the edge of the concrete paver and fell forward scraping my knee like a 10 year old falling off my bike. I jammed two fingers pretty hard as well. I got myself together, applied some bag balm and headed over to her place.
We loaded up and tied down the kayaks. She has it down to a science and has two step ladders for being able to reach. The Thule rack system is really superb. And then we were off to St Mary Lake just this side of Kimberley. It was a lovely drive up and I don’t even remember ever being there before although I have to have been there back in the 80s when we lived near and camped a lot. The decision was that if we got up there and the smoke from Bill Nye Mtn fire was too bad, we would turn around and head out to Moyie. It turned out that there were very few people at one in the afternoon and the sky was clear and beautiful. We found a good place to park and set to readying to go out, with a cooler of snacks and all.
I was unnerved by the first time I had to step in as I was unsure what my leg would do. Diane is very patient assisting. Once I settled in it all came back to me and I was so happy to be there. The day was just perfect. For the first long time it was calm and we even stopped out in the middle and had a snack and I cracked the one cold one I brought along. We set a goal to head to the farthest point down the lake which you can see marked by the blue arrow in the first lake picture above. About 3/4 of the way, the wind started picking up and we did some serious work to get ahead. We made it though and that felt good. There was no place to get out safely though as it was all silt and Diane sunk in when she stepped out. We hung out for a bit enjoying the area before carrying on along the shore to our right.
Looking back to where we had come from.
We puttered our way back, stopping on a rocky shore point to stand up in the shallow water and stretch. I was actually surprised how good I felt. My knee wasn’t bothered and my hip only throbbed a little when seated. Diane has expensive very lightweight paddles and they are great! No sore hands or blisters in spite of the distance covered. Once we got back to shore I was shocked to turn around and see how much smoke had rolled in. As I walked up with both hands full I suddenly felt a bite that resemble a hot ember feeling. I have no idea what it was but only an ice pack on it helped at all. We sat and had a wee picnic before loading the boats and were joined by a little cutie.
On the road out we stopped at the fresh water pipe coming ou of the side of the mountain and filled our bottles. There was a MASSIVE rock in the trees across from it. It had to have rolled down the hill long before all the trees grew up. I almost feel guilty getting drinking water straight out of the side of a mountain when so many go without clean drinking water.
When we got further down the road and I got reception, there was a text from Rae that the front tire had blown on Roger’s truck while going downhill on the highway with the whole family onboard. He handled it well and they were all fine. I remember that happening when I was with my brother in his truck, it is sooooo loud and frightening. I am so grateful they are all ok.
Once I got home, I spent time watering my garden, and cleaning my pool which was full of caterpillar poop as they are eating the leaves off the willow high up over the pool. I cleaned as much as I could and them shocked it and put a chemical to deal with organic materials. I want it to be good for the clients booked next weekend. I then came in and took an antihistamine as the bite is spreading and sore, had a shower and made some delicious dinner. I have been considering going to the hospital as it is getting worse. I may got to bed and see how it is in the morning.
triumphgal 