Lucky day, lucky ladies, lovely weather and just a gentle breeze to waft us on our way. JudyA, Jacque and HunterA, JaniceB., GloriaB, AnnaE–possible new member! LindaF, GailP-C, JudieT took off from the Rowing Dock and headed toward Red Bud Island to take advantage of the shade.
The fast ladies took off to the deep and shady parts of the river near the Emmett Shelton Bridge. Mindful of Judie’s shoulder damage, LindaF and JudieT proceeded around the north side of the island at a matronly pace, planning to meet up with the group as they rounded the bend by the dam. Judie was recounting her Brownie days when her troop would come far, far out into the wilds of Austin to go sketching at Red Bud Island, when we were surprised by Gail, recognizable in her Tilley hat, paddling quite fast, to meet us from the south side of the island. She was relieved we hadn’t disappeared without a trace.
This was not her only feat of kayaking rescue!
On their return to the Rowing Dock, Jacque, Hunter and Gail saw a kayaker across the lake out of her boat. Although there were two other kayakers with her, it appeared they weren’t sure how to help her.
Gail quickly paddled across the lake and found that the woman was unable to get back in her boat. Her friends said this was her first time out and they weren’t sure what to do. Readers: Take down this information: Gail stabilized the kayaker’s boat against hers and pushed down on the side of the empty boat for stability, as the young woman climbed in on the other side of the kayak.
Usually the breeze in our faces that we grumble about on the outbound trip dies at the time we turn around toward the Rowing Dock, but this time, the “breeze” strengthened until Judie pointed out that there were WHITECAPS on Lady Bird Lake. Our return was something of a struggle against the wind and waves; Judie got in some good paddling practice as we dodged the wind in a series of small coves along the south edge of the lake.
And we weren’t the only ones struggling! On her return toward the dock, Gail encountered two women in a canoe who were having difficulty maneuvering the canoe straight in the heavy wind and current. They ran into low branches and luckily didn’t turn over. Gail kayaked along with them and provided a periodic push with her boat to turn them in the direction of the dock, and everyone arrived safely to shore.
A TOWNie’s thoughts turn quickly from fun to food–we followed up on Jacque and Hunter’s request for Maudie’s near the Randall’s on Lake Austin Blvd, definitely something for everyone and much appreciated. LindaF