It had to happen sometime, a non-raucous paddle on the LBL: short and sweaty, but still restorative, with a new sighting and ending with the Tom Miller Dam at sunset.
Gloria W, Debbie W and I had extra scenery on this paddle, thanks to the loading-in for ACL blocking our normal access: a trip through Rollingwood to the southbound route on Stratford to the Rowing Dock, and the northbound drive on Stratford for supper at the Hula Hut, above the dam.
The green algae which has poisoned dogs who drank the water, has reduced the numbers of kayakers. The Rowing Dock is laying off staff and closing early.
In our one hour of watery delight, we managed a leisurely and chatty paddle toward the mouth of the Springs. We took so long that we didn’t even get a glimpse at the lovely bridges crossing on Barton Springs Road before heading back to the dock. True to form, the wind that was in our faces heading east had died, we had a nice cardio segment of the paddle on our return. Noted: Two great blue herons, the wood ducks photographed by Gloria, and, for the first time I have seen them: raccoons at the south edge of the lake.
You will be reading this trip report in October. It is our last month of our regular Lady Bird Lake paddles: We will have the daytime paddle on Thursday Dec 10th (2 hours: come at 9:30), Wednesday evening the 16th (come at 5:30), and our FINAL NIGHT the 23rd. As we were out for only an hour, we paid $10. So, if you had been thinking of coming out for this beginner-friendly activity, maybe these shortened hours and reduced rates are attractive. And if you are in the area, you are welcome to join the paddlers for lunch or supper afterward; enjoying each other’s company is an important part of all our TOWN activities, you don’t need a wet bottom to be part of the group!
See you next month, Linda