With the ice out for a week now and finally some warm days, it was time for a first paddle (April 15). Last year, my first paddle was on April 19. After lunch, I assembled my gear and loaded up the Widgeon kayak. For a comfortable and safe first paddle, I headed to Constance Bay to the Baillie Avenue beach launch point. It's only a 10-minute paddle along the shore to Constance Creek's mouth/entrance from the beach access point.
Another reason for an early-season kayak outing was to try my new West Greenland paddles that I carved over the winter. They worked and felt great! I also was trying some brand-new neoprene gloves from MEC. They are tight to put on, but they did keep my fingers from freezing in the cold spring waters.
About halfway to Eagle Creek, I found some high ground on the north bank that was ideal for a rest/bio stop. The creek is still quite flooded, and it's fun to paddle amongst the trees in some areas. There weren't many wildlife to observe except a few Canada Geese and some small black & white ducks (Buffleheads?).
After turning around at the golf course (Eagle Creek), I paddled downstream back to the Ottawa River. I turned down a wooded side channel to check out the thickness of the ice that was still on the surface. The ice was still thick enough to bring the Widgeon to a complete stop!
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