Back on the Bayou Again

Penny ran off with her girlfriend Kitty today so I took the occasion to put the kayak in the water. I took fishing gear with me just to make things interesting. One reason for going was to check out the blackberries. Lexi commented on facebook that the berries in her area were ripening so I wanted to see how the ones here were doing.

This is the 2nd day in June and both days have been beautiful. This makes 3 great days in a row. No complaints from me.

It was good to get out in the kayak again. When we first started kayaking there was always this uncertainty about whether we were doing things right. Now it’s just jump in and go and who cares about correct. If I move forward and enjoy myself I’m correct.

There was nobody else on the water for the whole trip up to the head of the bayou. It was as if I had my own private lake. I caught a couple pin fish and fished with them as bait along the way. No luck. Fishing from a sit inside kayak is a real adventure in space management. I wanted to see how it went. If I use the kayak to fish again I’ll probably make or buy rod holders and a paddle holder, too.

When I reached the head of the bayou I went up the stream that feeds it. The water level was way up due to the amount of rain we’ve had. The stream was deeper than I’d ever seen it. I was able to go deeper into the woods than ever. After I couldn’t get in any deeper I turned around and slowly drifted back to the bayou with the flow of the stream.

Sadly there were NO blackberries. All last year’s plants were gone with no new ones. I guess there will be no blackberry adventures this year.

A strong headwind had kicked up while I was up the stream so the paddle back was much more work. It was made interesting, however, when a group of 3 dolphin popped up quite close to the kayak and played around me for a while. They headed down the bayou so I chased them all the way back hoping to get a good picture of them playing. They were faster than me but they followed the shore. I made a bee-line to try to get ahead of them. I got a good work out and did catch them as I reached the park where the car was.

.............. Dolphin, dead ahead!

I took a couple pictures—not worthwhile—and then things went still. I thought they were gone. I turned off the camera and just as I was setting it back in the plastic bag one of the dolphins jumped completely out of the water just like they do at Seaworld. I was thrilled to see that but disappointed that I missed a rare shot. That’s the first time I’ve seen one jump like that.