Yesterday Gloria W. and I had a lovely paddle on Lady Bird Lake…the weather was pleasant, temperatures were comfortable, water was smooth, and the paddling was easy. We ventured down river past Zilker Park, where they are setting up for ACL fest (though you couldn’t see that from the water). We went under the Congress Ave. bridge, where you can hear little squeaky noises coming from the bats above, then turned around and headed back. Several folks out in sculls enjoying the water, and a few school dozen school children showed up as we were leaving the Rowing Dock. Bird sightings included the usual Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Wood Ducks, Egyptian Geese, Green Herons, and one Mallard. Overall, a lovely way to spend a morning, followed by coffee and munchies at Mozart’s.
For future paddles occurring over the next couple of weeks while ZIlker is overtaken by ACL fest, please be aware that the most direct access to the Rowing Dock is likely to be coming from the west via Stratford Dr. (Rowing DOck staff do not believe it will be possible to come through ZIlker Park at all, though early morning paddlers might be able to enter that way before the roadblocks are set up). When leaving, you will need to take Stratford to Red Bud Trail as left hand turns on to Riley are currently prohibited. I’m heading to the coast, so won’t be able to participate in any paddles in October…but I expect to paddling some back bays in Port Aransas. Hope y’all have some lovely paddles in cooler weather ahead! Peg