We were supposed to be on the Kings or Buffalo River today, but due to the flooding in the northwestern portion of Arkansas, we switched to our local DeGray Lake and put in at the Waterfowl Refuge.  I had lowered the seat in my canoe and added a stadium seat to give me some back support, so this was as good place as any to test it out.

 

We got on the water just after 8:30 in the morning under a covering of clouds and paddled out to our usual places on the near side of the large peninsula that pokes into the lake.  We saw egrets and ducks, but they were too wary for us to get close enough for good photos.

 

Sam leaving the put-in

 

Sam paddling parallel to the reeds fronting the peninsula in the middle of the channel

Kent relearning the rhythm of the “J” stroke

 

 

I found it easier to paddle from the kneeling position, but I did not have the capacity to stay in that position for long periods of time, so I was grateful for the backrest on the seat.

 

Sam out in the middle of the lake

 

Kent Walters, Author

 

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