I was approaching the Chanel and the helicopter was above the water. There were Police and Firemen all along the shoreline and on the opposite shore; they were launching an rescue boat. This wasn’t good. I had been paddling without my PFD on but quickly got into it and zipped it up as I paddled into this mess. With that the helicopter flew overhead and its wash nearly knocked me off my boat.
Author: Larry Jensen
Larry Jensen, Founder of Wonder of Wander. A vagabond traveler, handyman
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 10
Lock 6 was in sight and I was paddling comfortably as there was no rush, then I heard it. I turned around to see a barge coming in behind me. I began paddling hard for two reasons. One; I did not want to miss the lock though I am not sure they would let me share it with the barge. Two; The closer I was to that lock, the slower it would be going which meant I would not have to deal with its giant wake and Three; The channel was very narrow where I was. There was a lot more room for him to pass me at the lock.
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 9
As I approached Lock 7 I heard a horn toot, a very loud horn. I looked up ahead at the lock and there was a giant barge sitting in it getting lifted. I radioed the Lockmaster. Lock 7 Do you copy? Lock 7 he replied. Let me know when it’s clear to enter.
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 8
Donning my rain gear, I left the restaurant and headed down to the boat docks. I launched and made my way south along the Champlain Canal. It was really quiet and I imagined a time when the canal was busy with commerce as remnants of its once former center of economic resource stood erect on the banks as I paddled past. Every once in a while I’d come across a little private dock and path that would lead back to a house, but other than that the canal was quiet and lonesome except for an occasional boat that would motor past in the opposite direction.
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 7
Lake Champlain Done!
Today I officially completed paddling Lake Champlain from the Canadian Border in Alburgh, VT to its end at the Whitehall Lock. Lake Champlain through everything at me from the start, but on my final day, the wind changed direction and blew out of the north giving me a push off the lake and the north draining Lake Champlain somehow changed direction and was flowing south, perhaps due to the low water levels now. It was like the lake was giving me a send off party.
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 6
The storm passed directly overhead but split in two missing us completely. Later that day, I ran into the owners of a very large trawler who told me they were listing at 12 degrees in that wind. He too was seeking shelter. After it passed, I hit the water again trying to make to a spot that would give me just one more day on the lake. The folks that gave me shelter told me about a marina down where the lake narrows. I headed for it.
Canada to Key West Paddle- Day 5
Today’s weather greeted me with light surf and a nice breeze. Still blowing on my nose, but as least it was no longer stagnant like yesterday. Since I was a good distance off shore and I had a late start, I decided to eat lunch in the kayak as I paddled. If the wind was blowing any harder, that would not have been possible.
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 4
I though I was dreaming when I first heard it and opened my eyes. Then I heard it again. My Name! Someone somewhere is calling my name. It has to be a coincidence that someone one shore is named Larry, but there it was again and it was coming from shore, it was coming from behind me. I turned around to see a motorboat full of people waving their arms in the air yelling LARRY.
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 3
After breakfast, I packed up and launched. I hadn’t even gotten out of the small island bay when I began to think that this is too much. The waves were very large and the strong wind was right on my nose making paddling difficult. I struggled on and before long I got away from the rocky shoreline, but hadn’t been making any forward progress.
Canada to Key West Paddle – Day 2
Here I am on Valcour Island. I’m running as fast as I can along the rocky shoreline trying not to slip and kill myself. Meanwhile, my hot dinner has been left on the picnic table along with everything I own as I am running as fast as I can from it.
