Thanks, y'all. My allergies are much better today which is good considering the morning I had.
First off, I knew PT wouldn't be at the farm-she's away. I didn't know if KN would be there or not. LF's gone back home. (She comes for a few days at a time because of how far away she lives and sleeps in her tack shed when she's down.) CL was working, so that meant I had to feed all the horses. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get them all done in the morning or not, but it's really not that hard. In less than an hour, I had everybody's horses fed, the ducks fed, the chickens fed and the eggs gathered. Called KN to let her know and found out she wasn't able to make it today, so it's good I fed.
Once I had them all done, I left to go to the nature center. There was a free canoeing/kayaking "trip" going on, which means we go as far as the back of the lake, let people see the beaver dam and lodge, then go back to the beach. I was going to take some pics, but forgot my camera.
Normally, the head groundskeeper goes out as well, but he's not feeling that great, so he gave me the tow rope. I was hoping I wouldn't need to tow anyone. In fact, w/all the times I've gone out on something like this, there had only ever been 1x when a group needed to be towed and that was 3 young girls. They couldn't quite get the hang of paddling.
When we were ready to head out, there was one group that looked like they might have a problem. Mom, Dad and 3 little girls. Each parent went in one canoe. Mom had 2 of the girls w/her, Dad had 1. Dad was a big guy. The front of the canoe was actually out of the water. They tip. Switch girls around and put the heaviest one in w/Dad. The canoe rode better, but still not the greatest. We take off.
One lady and her daughter were going real slow so I hung back w/them. We finally all got to the back of the lake. I can see where there's been fresh wood put on the lodge. The dam has vegetation growing on it. And, while we're not too happy about the dam, it is kinda interesting to see. We start back and the wind picks up.
For those that have never been in a canoe in the wind, let me assure you, it is no fun! Since the canoe is open, it can be hard to steer into it. Kayaks are easier since they're for the most part covered. I was really hoping that no one would need a tow because I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to do it w/the wind. But the ones having the most problems was the big guy w/his daughter. They could not keep the canoe pointing the correct way and they didn't have enough experience to really battle the wind. My friend, LK, was there in her kayak. She also had a tow rope, so she tied that to the front of the canoe in the hopes that she'd be able to keep them pointing in the right direction. It worked for a little bit, then we got a big gust of wind, blew them sideways so quick that it knocked them off balance and they ended up in the lake! Fortunately, the lake is not deep, but there's quite a bit of muck in the bottom of it. But, there was just no way for them to get back in and make it to the other end. So, LK pulled their canoe. I had Dad put his daughter in the front of my canoe, and he walked in-which wasn't easy because of all the muck.
I felt bad for the daughter. First she was afraid we were going to tip. But, I'm more experienced paddling than her Dad, and when my daughter was that size, I used to ride her in the front all the time, so we had no problem getting in. Rather than go all the way back to where we put in, we only went about halfway up the lake to where there's a boat launch. (She wanted to be on solid ground ASAP!) Then, she was saying it was all her fault, she didn't do a good enough job paddling, etc. By this time, she's in tears, and shivering. I tried to comfort her, let her know that everyone falls in and it was better to fall in in June than in January like I did. LK made it to the boat launch w/the canoe, we beached that, and she went back to get someone to come for the canoe, as well as the rest of the family so they didn't have to walk back. The naturalist, JT, also stopped to be sure they were OK, then she took my keys since I elected to wait w/the 2 wet ones. (She brought my truck to me.) The father assured her it wasn't her fault and reminded her that this was the 2nd time he tipped that day. But, she was still pretty shook up. I just hope this doesn't turn her off to canoeing.
Now I'm home. It's getting hot out, so I think I'm going to do some housework while I feel up to it, then go later to give Stormy his 2nd feeding. Plus, I really gave my shoulder a work out, and want to rest a bit.
Stinks too that you have to go around constantly feeling like you barely slept, it always makes everything you do so much more of a chore! :/
My friend and her Dad were both experienced, so they did the paddling.
