Octpaddlefest at Huntsville State Park
Oct. 3-6, 2019
by Natalie Wiest

Mary Zaborowski set up a camping/paddling weekend at Huntsville State Park October 3-6.  This is the 20th anniversary of this followup to fun previously supplied by the Canoe Rendezvous.  Mary reserved several campsites, and supplied some very fine cooking despite challenges she overcame with scooter, cane, and help of her friends to get out on the water.

It was pretty much hot as Hades, but we had a good time camping and cavorting.  Was never so thankful for the AC unit in my little camper – same for daughter Ellen.  Here’s our campsite on Thursday night before the weekend campers filled the place:

(Click photos to enlarge)

A group of us got out on the water Friday morning, early enough that it wasn’t super hot.  It was a perfect tranquil paddle out on Lake Raven.

Paul found it a bit more of a paddle than he’d bargained for, and took a short rest before rejoining our group:

Now there’s a way to relax in a canoe!

Here’s a panoramic view of Lake Raven:

Of course Mary couldn’t just look at the water from the shore, she got out in the canoe for a short spin on the lake,  thanks to sternman Jack Borns:

Sandy Rushworth and David Risch joined us on Saturday.

I was sufficiently baked so decided to leave Saturday afternoon, you will have to get someone else to tell you about the fine feast that evening and any paddling on Sunday.  Here’s another ahhhhh moment for Craig Walker (tan canoe) and Milton Robertson (green kayak).

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The author, Natalie Wiest