First kayak of the season

 I realized that my kayak never came down off the garage wall for the whole summer of 2022. Made me remember how tired I was after the radiation treatment and that most of last summer was a bit of a foggy haze. I look back in this blog and realize that I did do things, but my memories of that period are rather vague. Anyway, the kayak is down from the garage wall now.

After our early summer heat wave the weather is now comfortable again. It took me a while to figure out how I used to get the kayak in the car. Luckily the access point, to Black Creek, near Dogs Nest, was open.

So peaceful: water lilies

and sunning turtles.

There's big homes with docks

and big boats, but there's also little, old cottages that look as if they would be washed away at the next high water event. Water craft vary from a huge power catamaran, through more modest power and sail boats and down to little runabouts, seados, kayaks and paddleboards. Anything to get out on the water.

I took about an hour to get as far as the condos at the base of the pier and didn't go further as the wind was picking up. There were a few other kayakers out on the creek but they were going at a pace equivalent to a run and I was out for an afternoon stroll.

Just so photogenic.

Enigma II and Redhead moored beside the lift bridge.

The banks of the river are as diverse as the watercraft. As well as the homes and cottages there are marine businesses that support the pleasure and commercial life of Lake Erie. Things like dredgers, ship builders, divers and marinas.

This area used to be a huge marine vehicle dump, full of rusting old boats of all sizes and histories. All cleaned up and a new seawall, it is slated for development.

The Port Dover Yacht Club looking very spiffy in its red, white and blue.

Dockage is for members only but the clubhouse  can be rented for community events, weddings etc and on Wednesdays a caterer provides meals for the public. We come for a meal and a drink after racing. Lovely to sit on the veranda on a summer evening and rehash the race.

Christine gave me a waterproof phone case for Christmas which kept that safe and most of the time my camera and car keys are in a heavy duty ziplock bag in a waterproof compartment. I am extremely careful when taking photos.

I stayed well clear of the numerous Canada Goose families, not wanting to be attacked by a protective parent.

They are noisy, fast and amazing hunters, so when I spotted this Kingfisher I just let the kayak drift while I quietly took pictures

not sure how close I would be able to get.

Too close.

Just around the next bend and I would have to figure out how to get out of the kayak (getting in is no problem, getting out is quite challenging, if you don't want to go for a swim). Luckily there were a couple of young me fishing at the ramp and they gave me a hand.