After delaying the launch due to severe weather on July 1st, Arlene, my dear friend and chauffeur for this launch drove up to Alburgh, VT where we stayed at the Ransom Bay Inn and Restaurant, a cute little B&B with great hosts. While I am glad I delayed the launch, waking up the next morning to a strong 20 knot wind did not make me feel better.
We had a nice breakfast at the Inn and then Arlene drove me to the launch site; a private dock at a house on a dead end road right on the Canadian border. It didn’t take long before Border Patrol showed up, but after confirming I was crazy, they let me go with only one question; Have you ever been arrested? They never asked my name or for ID, but in fairness, I had called them earlier in the week to put them on notice.
It took a while longer than expected to load the kayak and the strong wind blowing North West meant I’d have to paddle straight into it with surf at 1-2’ about two seconds apart. I had tremendous trepidations at this point, but I kissed Arlene Goodbye and Gave her a big hug and kiss, not sure what was to come of this day.
The Weather Band was reporting a small craft advisory and the only other boats out on the lake were sailboats under power headed to marinas. I pushed off and Crossed into Canada and then paddled head on into the wind to get to the New York side of the lake. Once I reached the West Shore I turned south and battled the waves and wind.
First stop was at the Rouses Point Border Patrol Station where I checked in and then back out into the water. The wind was fierce and if not for this trip, this would not be a day I would be paddling. By mid day, I had only seen two sailboats and one powerboat. Hugging the West Shore was giving me a bit of protecting from the wind but I was approaching a bay I needed to cross near Chazy, NY and the surf was big. White caps and heavy wind was facing me or rather hitting me broadside and I was fearful of capsizing. I again turned into the wind and took the waves head on. They were breaking over my nose now every second and I was no longer paddling on top of water, but through it.
I finally reached the shoreline and though I was getting some protection, but what had happened was that the wind was dying down. If I had waited another hour, I could have paddled straight across the bay rather than battle the surf. It was time to call it a day and I began looking for someplace to camp. I scoped out a few places and decided to talk to anyone standing out on their lakefront as well. It’s July 4th weekend, but no one was outside on this day. I finally came across someone, but was turned away.
Same thing happened with the next person, but faith is strong so I paddled on and that’s when I came across this wonderful group of people on the shore. My new friends from D.C.: Scot Rogerson, Ed Keable, Tim Peterson, Sarah Heidema, Nathan and two wonderful dogs Griffin and Xander. These folks invited me to camp on their property, invited me to dinner and then took me for Ice Cream at Creamies in Chazy, NY. We spent the night around a camp firm before turning in and got together for Sunrise and breakfast in the morning. This was the perfect ending to a rough day and a happy beginning to the next.
Day 1 done.
Enjoy the pictures (video below)
It should be a beautiful day today…enjoy!!