dark skies, march wind
Published March 5, 2009 | 
I had hoped for sun but that hope faded quickly as thick dark clouds continued to pour over the horizon. What’s more the wind began to howl out of the south kicking up the straight north south channel of Lake Columbia filling it with pushy waves and cats paws. I ran with the waves up to the power plant and tucked in behind to see if the outflow offered anything to play in. . Of course compared to what the power station in Sdot Yam has to offer, this little puppy is pretty disappointing. The best you can do is sit on the eddy line and spin.
The singular benefit of playing here is the simple childish joy of spinning and of course enjoying the warm, warm temperatures. The water in this area must be close to 80f if not a bit beyond. I should have taken advantage of the warmth to get some rolling in. Instead like a fool I decided I should practice later in the chop and wind. Oh, joy. . .
I played for awhile in the outflow of the power plant then headed back out into the lake. Now with the wind in my face I was happy I chose the Greenland Paddle as my propulsion unit of the day. I was also glad I had the time to learn, practice and become more proficient with the Greenland stick last year. I could tell, that although I had not been paddling in a couple months I was moving along quite well into the wind. Wind in the face will tell you if you are “arm paddling” and if you are, you are not going to last for long. . .
I paddled out into the middle of the lake and did a few rolls. Each time I came up the boat would be spinning downwind and at first I’d correct. In the end I just let myself blow sideways while I practiced my rolls. Not a bad choice anyway.
After a couple hours on the water I returned to the boat landing on the south shore. It’s funny how when you reach shore the water suddenly goes all calm ! Of course it’s simply because the wind has no time to build up the waves next to shore. Still it does feel like nature’s laughing at you! I checked my day hatch and it was dry. It seems the repair held. My cockpit was also dry now that the combing was re-fitted as well. It’s nice to have my faithful companion healthy again and ready to play. Now I just have to shake off these winter pounds and get some tone back. . . not that I ever HAD tone. . .
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Posted in My Paddling, My Weird Life, Paddling, Repairs & Modifications | 
lake columbia, portage, wisconsin3 Responses to dark skies, march wind
Derrickam: Sweet write up and photographs. That Rockpool sure has served you well, even if it was a bear and a half to get it 1/2 way around the world to Baraboo. We have outflow lakes here in central Illinois, and I can relate to the hot water. In the summer, it’ll steam a t-shirt and whorts clad paddler like an Atlantic lobster at a seaside bake. Nothing like “nucular” energy to cook a human.
Have fun, eat right, post often, and plan the next adventure. That is about all we can do. Hey, by the way, I read that brackish Lake Delton is filling/full again now as of February. That ought to bring the Dells back to the cotton candy, water-skiiing and wet sliding capital of the midwest again. I was there last summer staying lakeside when the lake was a mudhole (almost lost my boy in it during a messy crossing), and it sure was dreadful. The Tommy Bartlett Show was truly a disaster; but they did go on with the show, amazingly.
I have to paddle soon. For now it is 15-30 minutes on my ConceptII, and then back to the Twinkies and Coke.
Thanks CD! Yeah I love my faithful steed. It’s starting to get a bit frayed around the edges but that’s the point.
Hey there is going to be a paddling event in Wisconsin Dells in April. I”ll post more about that as soon as I get a chance.
Hey Derrick, they have removed the wall ot our power plant, apparantly it was temporary while they laid the pipes for the desalination plant, so the white water that you were lucky enough to play in has now reverted to a little puppy again. too bad. regards Steve