Lake Pass, Paul's Perspective
Feb. 17, 2013
by Paul Woodcock
I was surprised that only three of us turned out for the trip, the weather was perfect for paddling except for the predicted winds.
The Pig Carcass
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David mentioned the pig carcass in his article and I have conflicted feelings about the situation. I realize the problems created by the feral pigs and do feel the population must be decreased. The native Americans believe that all things have a spirit and must be respected. That is why they give thanks for the game that they kill. My mother had a rule that if you kill it, you must clean it and give thanks to the animal for giving you nourishment. I feel that leaving that carcass exposed in the parking lot was disrespectful to the animal and the users of the put-in. There is a proposal to give feral hog meat to the food kitchens to help feed those in need but it is hard to find someone to the process the hog meat. (Houston Chronicle story) A lot of processers refuse to do it, but at the very least they should have buried or burned the carcasses.
The Fallen Log
When we reached the fallen log there was some discussion about going over it. When I was leading what I called, a Paul’s Trip, nothing stood in the way of me reaching my distination; I would drag over fallen logs, drag my boat through low water, and smash my way through portages, but I realized how much I have mellowed, even feeling a sense of relief when Joe and David decided to turn around.
The Pelicans
This group of pelicans was probably the one of the largest I have ever seen. They are such a magnificent bird, it is beautiful how they arch ther necks when sitting in the water and seeing a long string of pelicans swooping down to fish in single file is a thrillng sight no matter how often you watch it.
Paddling in the Wind
I had thought of bringing my sea kayak, as they are so much more effecient paddling in the wind, but I really don’t enjoy paddling the thing. Even though the cockpit is large I have to struggle to get in and out of it. I always develop severe pain in my thighs sitting in it and I don’t like the water dripping off the double blade. I have never taken it on a camping trip because of the hassle of carrying gear. I was paddling my Mad River Malachite and it tracks well in the wind and I was able to keep up with the kayaks most of the time. I was using a bent shaft-paddle and if I fell behind. I just switched from the J-stroke to the combination power racing stroke and the marathon racing stroke that I have developed, about four times on the right side and then four strokes on the left and I would gain on Joe and David. ("Canoe Stroke Efficiency") ("Paddling a Racing Canoe") I remember the first time I soloed Miller Lake in similar conditions, I was in a Mad River Voyager, a canoe with a lot of rocker. I could not keep up with the group of 20-years experience, and with the right equipment it makes a lot of difference.
Lunch
After lunch we took a short hike in the woods It is always a joy to get to explore some place new. At regular water levels this area would be all swampy water.
The Campers
As we were coming down the cut we met a couple in a Jon boat paddling with canoe paddles. The man was saying that he just got a ticket for fishing without a license. “I wasn’t fishing. I did not have a stringer, a bait bucket, a cooler or nothing, I just had a pole and a line in the water. $40.00 for a fishing license would have saved him $175.00. I don’t know where the fine money goes but the license fee should go to the Parks Department but the State has raided that fund for years. I think there is a bill in the legislature stating that 80% of it should go to the Parks Department. I hope it will pass. They had carved a campsite out of the woods and we spotted a brown pelicon on the small man-made lake.
After lunch we took a small hike in the woods keeeping a watch out for water moccasins.
Turtle
I know turtles can survive with cracked shells, and there have even been some successful attempts to use dental brace wire to hold them in place while healing, but this looks like a lot of damage and the risk of infections must be high in these waters. (www.anapsid.org/shellrepair.html)
I want to thank David for leading a great trip no matter what the conditions. I think that messing around in a canoe is the best thing you can do with your time.
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the earth is my mother.
the sky is my father
the animals are my brothers
the canoe lets me get closer to them
Paul.
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