Sensory Overload

This is not so much an invitation as much as reflection on my part and possibly inspiration to those of you who might not do as much winter kayaking as you would like.

Yesterday morning I ventured out to the Niagara River for a tour around Navy Island. The shore ice extended a mere foot or two out from shore, a far cry from the half-foot thick, 20 foot long field of ice I was chopping through at this time last year.

After bedecking my kayak with safety and self-rescue gear and stowing delicious baked goods that were surreptitiously bestowed upon me in the middle of the night (another story) I made my way to the island.

Within 10 seconds of my arrival I was welcomed by the sweeping majesty of the resident bald eagle in flight. Watching him until he was no longer in sight I progressed to the most northern tip of the island where I am forever wowed by the mist of the falls and the towering skyline that seemingly appeared overnight.

Venturing further along I am serenaded by the tinkle of paper-thin sheet ice as the ripples created from my kayak swim underneath. For me, that is a sound that makes winter kayaking irresistible. Pure motivation. Before long Kingfishers provide competition for the ice. Their exuberant chatter is reminiscent of children tearing the wrapping paper off of their presents on Christmas morning.

Now heading south along the east shore I am where, if there is wildlife to be viewed, it shall be there. I am not disappointed. I happen upon a deer sipping at the water’s edge. My presence would typically send the deer running for cover but this time she stayed and eyed me with curiosity and interest that paralleled my own for her.

Paddling on, sheet ice still making it’s crystal chandelier-in-the-wind tinkles, I am within view of swans making their way upstream and various other waterfowl going about their business.

Reaching the south end of the island I stop to indulge on the goodies tucked below deck. With the full glory of the warm winter sun on my face under windless, blue skies I am aware of sights, sounds, tastes, the serenity and I am more than aware of how lucky I am.

From where I moored for lunch to my takeout across the river is facilitated by the flow of the river. It is most appealing to cut almost straight across the river yet still end up at the car almost a kilometer downstream.

For me, the highlight of kayaking this area comes when the ice boom in Fort Erie is removed and the pack ice that often covers the entire surface of Lake Erie makes its progression down the river, over the brink of the falls and into Lake Ontario. Perfection comes when the sky and water are jet-black and the sun, at a low angle, illuminates the ice floes like white strobes, and there I am, in heaven paddling in between them.

-Carla