A Return to Familiar Waters: Lake Alvin – Late August 2010

My son, Derek, called last night and asked if I was available to go out kayaking this morning with him. After kicking back for a week after my days in the Boundary Waters, I was happy to take him up on the notion. We tossed the Folbot into the back seat of my Honda Civic, loaded up the Dagger on the roof-rack, and headed out to Lake Alvin about 9:30 a.m.

It has been very hot and humid in Sioux Falls over the past few days, and today was a gift: light winds, sunny skies, and a temperature in the 70s. It was a wonderful day, especially on a weekday during “working hours.” The lake was nearly deserted, as is usually the case on weekdays after school has begun.

We arrived at the public access area of the lake and headed south into Nine-Mile Creek. The water level is high, and there was no trouble making it around the southeastern point leading into the mouth of the creek. It was pleasant moving up this increasingly narrow waterway towards the set of rapids that ends further navigation.

After reaching the rapids, we then turned around and cruised easily back down the creek to the main body of the lake. From there, we paddled to the northern shore of the lake and turned into the channel leading to the spillway.

Going back down the lake to the access point, there was a head wind, not enough to cause any strain but just enough to be refreshing after so many hot sticky days here in SD.

We spent a couple of hours paddling the length of Nine-Mile Creek and the main body of Lake Alvin. This was a great time to chat, observe the shore conditions, and experience the sensation of moving across the water.

Derek again reminded me of how accessible Lake Alvin is to our home and of how easy it is to take a nice kayak cruise without spending much time on the road. From driveway to the put-in is less than 15 minutes!