We're baaaack!

After a pleasant drive with Dana's mom and aunt Bernie we landed ourselves back at where we left off. After a warmer nights sleep we packed up and headed into our home on the lake. It felt good-right-to get back in the water. Even though we paddled into a strong head wind for the first couple of miles the sun was shining and who could be deterred by the beauty that surrounded us in the form of massive sand dunes as far as the eye could see on one side and fresh, blue water, in expanse, on the other side.

When we turned and paddled south we received a helpful NW wind which made paddling much more enjoyable. Once we reached the edge of the Platte Bay we contemplated shooting across rather than paddling in. We discussed the circumstances and listened to the weather before we made the decision to go for it. Since we had a tail wind we would be assisted by waves and swells all the way there. Once we were few miles from shore we started getting waves from the East and northwest which combined to create unpredictable but interesting spouts. There is no telling how big or small one will be, but they do have they do have the potential to significantly throw you off balance and possibly cause a capsize. Other than having to perform a few strong high braces we were relatively not impacted. The really interesting thing was that as we paddle further away from shore we began experiencing patterns of waves in about every fourth set of three that would generate large swells. The large swells would sometime engulf your body from the neck-down. When they approached and "swallowed" you, it would stop you dead in your tracks and we had to just try not to fight it and allow the water to roll of of us in order to resume paddling. When you're eight miles from shore and this happens you become a little frightened, but eventually you get used to it, expect it, and hope it doesn't cause a capsize.

Once we made it to the other side we ate a lunch of pop tarts, jerky, and crackers. After a 10 minute siesta we headed back out. Pushing off turned out to be a challenge as we were on the receiving end of those NW waves. Paddling off shore included getting blasted by strong, cold waves and trying to maintain balance was a challenge. We made it off and paddled the rest of the day along the shoreline. Along the way we passed a beautiful lighthouse, sand cliffs so steep that I think I kinked my neck from trying to look at the top of them, and dark forests. Our stopping point for the evening was Frankfort. Where we met up with friend Jen Elliott and her family. They took us in and made a delicious full meal. After eating we visited and told stories. Then it was lights out. In the morning we decided to stay with the Elliotts for another day because the rain and the wind were heavy. So we did what all people like to do on rainy days-we watched movies...and ate ice cream, of course.

Thank you Elliotts! It was lots of fun.