tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28635783.post3485212101840601394..comments2024-03-17T12:30:01.775-07:00Comments on Kayaking the Lakes of South Dakota: Grass Lake - May 2009Jay Heathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15033786950619309936noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28635783.post-56919704814733171292009-07-15T16:57:45.773-07:002009-07-15T16:57:45.773-07:00Well, Danny, these area lakes offer conditions tha...Well, Danny, these area lakes offer conditions that range from flat calm to frightening waves. Sometimes conditions even change during the time of a cruise on the lake. The situation you describe of moving with the wind and caught up in a "following sea" is especially risky and has created a sense of anxiety in me on occasion. I have experienced this both on Grass Lake and on Beaver Lake. You can check out a narrative that I wrote regarding the SDCA water sampling project last summer on Grass Lake for my observations of kayaking during a wind that caused serious wave action. <br /><br />Thanks for contributing your observations. Your communication extends the utility of the narratives.<br /><br />JayJay Heathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15033786950619309936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28635783.post-6220853028928715742009-07-15T16:32:15.292-07:002009-07-15T16:32:15.292-07:00We just paddled Grass Lake this afternoon. While i...We just paddled Grass Lake this afternoon. While it was a bit on the blustery side and there was some whitecaps on the lake we ventured out anyways knowing our little inflatable would get us to the other end of the lake, and that's exactly what it did. <br /><br />It was actually easier paddling into the wind than it was coming back with the wind behind us. Going into the wind we could keep the bow of the boat straight into the swells, which wasn't a big deal in the Sea Eagle. Coming back with the wind behind us was a bit like surfing as we'd kind of get on top of a swell and surf down the other side. It got a bit sketchy, but we felt a lot more stable than we would in a traditional kayak or canoe. <br /><br />On the way there we helped a painted turtle across the highway and saw a ferret crossing the highway, something neither one of us had ever seen before. <br /><br />I took some grainy video with my cell phone to show some of the chop out on the water. <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ7_0HBbylo<br /><br />We really had a good time here, despite the less than ideal paddling conditions.Dannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28635783.post-47224516820274055152009-05-12T14:08:00.000-07:002009-05-12T14:08:00.000-07:00Thanks, Jay. I have never seen Grass Lake but you...Thanks, Jay. I have never seen Grass Lake but you made me feel like I was there. I can just feel that cool breeze with temps in the 40's. As I read the account I was in my air conditioned Arizona home. The thermometer says 102 at just past 2:00 pm. I do long for those beautiful spring days in SD when everything comes to life. Thanks for taking me back for a while. Keep up the good work.<br /><br />I also share your enthusiasm about watching other people work. I take great care to notice them and greet them.<br /><br />LJLLJLickfelthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580333517356476214noreply@blogger.com