Last weekend when we were up in Michigan I saw 3 wet people walk into the Salvation Army store wrapped in blankets. Turned out they were kayakers rescued by the Coast Guard on Lake Superior when kayaking.Someone from the chamber of commerce saw them and offered free warm clothes at the SA. There were whitecaps on the bay that morning so i could not imagine going kayaking that day. The day before Dave and I were kayaking out on it and it was perfect weather and wind direction so easy going ...but don't assume the next day will be good also!!
Every year kayakers are rescued on the Great Lakes. The quick changing weather and strong winds are no match for kayakers no matter how experienced they may be.
I have learned to have great respect for Lake Michigan and Lake Superior and the power they hold.
I listen to the lake forecast before going out in any boat, kayak close to shore and close to shoals when crossing open water, and never go out in strong winds or dark skies.
I remember Liz and I kayaking over to Rock Island from Washington Island to sleep on the beach one night . The stars were amazing but we awoke to dark clouds over W island at 5am. We quickly hit the lake, kayaked back in the beginning of strong winds following the shoreline so as to not blow out in the bay and made it in just as the rain let loose. Liz was mad at me as the weather scared her as you could not stop paddling or you would blow back in the wind. It was a short but tough work out and another reminder of the power of the Lake. The funny thing is that i left my car keys in my wet shorts on the beach( as i slept in my swimsuit) and had to call our pastor to pick us up as we were scheduled to help with VBS that morning. I got my keys ( and shorts)back later that day after taking the passenger ferry over to Rock island to find them waiting for me at the ranger station. The silver lining in this experience is we did get to see a double rainbow as we paddled into the harbor that morning...but lesson learned--don't take the lake for granted!!
Happy BUT safe paddling to all you kayak lovers!!
