October 25- Still Beautiful

Here's a fine shot of a gal that rented one of our kayaks on Sunday. The background is of the shoreline at the state park just north of High Point Marina. We didn't have the Fall Foliage Paddle on Saturday due to high winds, though Rick Collins and his friend Tara, Mitch and I were ready to go at noon. The following day turned out beautiful as you can see.

October 20 - It's Beautiful Here

This is the big two-week period for peak leaf viewing here on Lake Anna. I expect the leaves to hold on tight to the trees for about another week or two and then it's time. Currently the red maples are flaming, the hickories about 65% yellow and the beeches starting. The oaks have a touch of color to them. Join us on Saturday at noon for a LKA Kayak Club paddle out of High Point Marina. It's free to members, $6 to non-members. We might even have a rental or two left. Call the shop at 540.894.3540 or email me. Weather does cancel, so keep in touch.

October 9-12 Kayaking West Virginia

 David Purcell and I headed up to Canaan Valley with our families over the long Columbus Day holiday weekend and did some kayaking on Spruce Island Lake in the Old Timberline community. His daughter also accompanied us in an Emotion Spitfire. The big yellow perch were biting and the leaves were spectacular.

October 3 - Moonlight Paddle

This was an evening many of us crossed our fingers to happen. It must have worked because we had a spectacular night for the LKA Kayak Club Moon Light Paddle. We had 20 paddlers in 16 boats and did a round trip of three miles from Helen and Bruce McCotter's home to Boxley's Point.

  We set off at 7 pm as the sun was setting and the moon rising. The lake was calm and very few power boats were present. Along the way we enjoyed the music at Derek D's party on the hotside and some incredible fireworks. We also heard herons, geese and ducks coming in for the evening.

  You might ask how does one safely and legally paddle a kayak at night? We had a lead boat and a rear boat and several in the middle with white lights visible from 360 degrees which makes us legal. The Scotty Sea Light is one of the most cost effective options and they are sold at LKA Outfitters (540.894.3540).

   A bonfire with popcorn, cider and donuts awaited us upon our return to shore around 9 pm. The temperature was around 68 - perfect for the warm fire. This was truly living the Lake Anna Life many of us seek and cherish.

    If you'd like to join the kayak club go to www.lakeannakayakclub.blogspot.com or email mcfish@gemlink.com.

September 25 - Paddle With Mel

This Friday at 9 am Mel Chaiet will be hosting his weekly paddle. He lives at Horseshoe Cove and can be reached at 804.448.0388 or email him at melchaiet@hotmail.com.

LKA Kayak Club Paddles To Back Of Contrary Creek

The Lake Anna Kayak Club held an expedition September 13 to paddle to the back of Contrary Creek. Club members wanted to see first hand how Lake Anna has changed the polluted stream as well as note where the Cutalong subdivision is planned. Two bald eagles and a red tail hawk were observed near the back of the creek which remains severely impacted by acidic mine runoff and dredging. Ten kayaks carried 11 members and guests on the 4.9 mile paddle that began and ended from the Edgewood Bay subdivision Common Area.

Ram Island Club Great For Kayakers

Recently my family of four (two children ages 7 and 10) visited Ram Island Hunt Club in Back Bay, Virginia. We were the guests of Kevin Riggs. This home on pilings is nearly 100 years old and is a totally renovated hunting lodge Riggs now rents to individuals. The lodge is accessible only by boat from the Mill Road Landing (about 1.4 miles away) and a super place to access the back side of Sandbridge, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the remote False Cape State Park.

  We stayed four days and didn't want to come home despite some strong NE winds that made navigation and kayaking a challenging. We kayaked, fishing, hiked, beach combed and enjoyed some time just being a family away from it all. 

   You can rent Riggs' center console boat and use it to access the barrier beaches, restaurants and trails or paddle over yourself. I can recommend this rental highly to the paddler that wants a relaxing but adventurous trip. For more pics and for reservations go to www.ramislandhuntclub.com .

  On this trip I demo'd one of only two 2010 Emotion Mojo Angler fishing kayaks. It paddled great even in 2' waves and it was the best kayak I've ever used for fishing.