Winter Park Chain of Lakes Paddle -

It was a beautiful May 1st on the Winter Park chain of lakes. 13 of us hit the lakes on a very warm day. We had the good fortune of a nice comforting breeze to help with that. Bud, Judy, Gil, Young Gil, Jess, Jim, Barry, Rich, JJ, Susan, Mary, Michelle & Curt paddled to Azela Park than to Dog Island. The young ones played on a rope swing and swung into the water and than some of the older group gave it a shot. That was a sight to see but very fun. From there we went the rest of the way into Lake Minnehaha. Some passing jet skiers and boats made for a few fun bouncy conditions and it looked like everyone enjoyed that. Another stop at dog island for some cooling off with and without kayaks and back to the put in at Dinky dock. The canals are looking nice this time of year and the canals after Lake Maitland are very natural looking. We didn’t go to the canal leading to the weir at the howell preserves as planed but we’ll just have to get that next time. Paddling back to Dinky Dock in Lake Virginia we watched a sail boat and a wind surfer and began to put our toys away…Special thanks to all those who hung around to help others load. It was a fun, leasurely paddle. See you all next time

Host: Rich Miller Co Host: Curt Gashlin

Winter Park Chain of Lakes Paddle -

We met up Sat.1/12/08 at Dinky Dock in downtown Winter Park for the urban trek thru three (3) lakes, including 2 beautiful wood-framed canals.  There was 8 of us, all in single kayaks.

We paddled, enjoying the rustling trees with birds, anchored motor boats doing some bass fishing, stately homes, statues, lakeview artwork, and manicured yards, as well as savoring the still waters - not too windy at all - even saw a big cypress in the water with big Christmas balls hanging on its limbs!   We then landed on Dog Island for leisurely relaxation & conversation - all 8 of us snacked & ate lunches as we talked about current events, & our backgrounds, at the picnic table.   3 of our group went on to (4th lake) Lake Minnehaha from Lake Maitland while the other 5 of us headed back to Lakes Osceola & Lake Virginia.  The 2 college grad students who came from Lakeland wanted to stay out longer than the rest of us planned to, yet Clark Getz actually caught up to us after going out to Lake Minnehaha with them!   One of the students assured me she'd been out before, and would find her way back just fine, so I didn't worry too much!  :)   We paddled from 10:10am to 12:40pm - met up with some pontoon boats including the Winter Park Boat tour once, on the canals - short trip but very sweet!  I think everybody enjoyed this morning out on the water, meeting new friends & sharing interest

Host: Valeria Mundo