Given the record rainfall recently, the nearby canoe access remains feasible, as an entry point for early morning paddles. We arrived at the parking area at 0615; there was nary a place to be had! Apparently, the first weekend without rain in over 2 months had brought out large groups of kayak and canoe campers, who had headed out the previous day. We saw at least 8 campsites in use (these are not maintained campsites), but we were the only canoe on the water ( we saw one other boat, a sculler gliding oh-so smoothly!)

This access requires about 200 yards of travel through narrow channel; the banks are lined with grass and trees, just brimming with birds of all types, multiple herons and their nests, frogs and jumping fish. This proved to be quite a distraction for Edgar today… he was repeatedly turning around, to see and smell all the sights. Not being a “bad dog”, just a very wiggly one. We decided we need a bit more practice at the sit-stay maneuver; we also need to keep the “religious collar” (you know, the one that makes a believer out of him) on him in the boat as a reminder; he knows when it is on him, and just seems to mind better.

Once we hit the broad water, things were a bit more sedate!