Although the Annual Christmas Morning Paddle was scheduled for Buffalo Bayou, the spread of the Omicron variant made filling a car full of drivers to run shuttle look like maybe not the Best Idea in the World. At the suggestion of Harmon Everrett, it was re-located to Sheldon Reservoir, where we could do an “out-and-back” paddle.
Selfie of Terry Herdlicka (front) and Harmon Everrett, photo by Terry Herdlicka
It was a great choice. It’s a lovely lake, it has a good boat ramp/put-in, and it’s easy to get away from sight and sound of the city. (Well, mostly!) It’s just 25 minutes from the Heights, with good freeway access from the Beltway. Ten of us got on the water at 9:30am, our target time (Are you sure this is the Houston Canoe Club?), in eight boats.
Frank Ohrt and Liz Dennis in Green Boat, photo by Terry Herdlicka
It was a lovely Christmas day, if maybe actually a bit too warm. We paddled north up an open channel for a mile and a half or two, then came back more through the cypresses and spoil bank islands. There were lots of cormorants, egrets, and herons, and one immense alligator that was easily 10-feet long.
See the Gator, photo by Harmon Everrett
The participants were: Belinda Bracht, Gus Cei, Liz Dennis, Harmon Everrett, Greg, Amy and Shawn Fan, Terri Herdlicka, Frank Ohrt, and Leslie Taylor. Everyone had a fine time, or at least they said they did, and it looks like the Annual Christmas Morning Paddle has a new home.