Up the Gorge, With a Paddle

[intertext]

Guess what I did this morning?



I went kayaking, in Portage Inlet, which is the top of what is known in Victoria as "The Gorge" (not Gorge, but _The_ Gorge). It was wonderful. I love it. It would be perfect if you could take dogs along :)

Many thanks to my friend sheilap for taking me out!!

More picspam



Here's me, looking much more proficient than I felt :)



My friend Sheila, showing me how it should be done.



And me again, looking pleased with myself.

Comments

[countrygardener.livejournal.com]

You have no idea how jealous I am! What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday. It looks like you're getting the same weather as I am. A strange cloudy summer.

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Do you kayak? WHEN you come up for a visit (hint hint) we should go!

[marri.livejournal.com]

That looks like it was fantastic fun. Did you guys rent from someplace? I've half a mind to go kayaking myself, but I have no idea how much it costs these days.

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Actually, in this case, Sheila has her own boat and I was using her partner's. I'm envious of that, because it gives you the freedom to take it anywhere you want. Usually I rent from Gorge Rowing or some other outfit, but that restricts you to the area where they are. Some places will let you take the boats away, but right now my car isn't equipped to do that.

[intertext.livejournal.com]

PS - it's pretty cheap at Gorge Rowing, and they have a noon hour paddle that's only $10. I think most places are around $20 per hour, and they usually give you a deal for a day or half day.

[sheilap.livejournal.com]

You do look pleased with yourself and perhaps you should be! Was a wonderful paddle, shall we try the West Coast next?

Now about the dogs, if I can stick my niece in a hatch:
http://pics.woodenpropeller.com/kayak02.jpg
http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/05/32/23293205.jpg
http://www.wavewalk.com/dog_in_w_kayak_cockpit.jpg
http://www.rvsingles.org/Photo_Albums/Sharon/DCP01559.JPG

And YES they have PFD's for dogs!

[sheilap.livejournal.com]

Gorge rowing has coupons in the paper right now for 20% off! They are small coupons, but not impossible to find.

The restaurant in Brentwood (by the ferry dock)rents little boats for $9.00/hour; they are not the best boats, but it is a fun place to paddle.

Ocean River offers and abundance of courses: good way to get out for a paddle AND meet people.
http://www.oceanriver.com/intro_courses.htm

It is reasonably easy to equip a car to take a boat locally, but a friend is necessary to get it up there!

[lidocafe.livejournal.com]

Glad you had such a nice Sunday.