JUNE 18th SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND MUSIC and BBQ

Dympna, we have been talking about another Navy Island paddle so here comes the proposal. Although a day paddle is interesting, particularly for those who have never paddled it before, a tour after dark is especially cool because of the illumination of the falls and the lit up skyline of Niagara Falls. From the water one gains a most breath-taking perspective that land-dwellers will never experience. Obviously attendees will require proper lighting so if you want to provide some insight for us, please do so.

Folks, because I am working around Jame's and Dympna's schedule, deservedly busy folks that they are, I cannot yet provide a solid date for you. That said, if you are interested in this tour, please drop me a line because if there is enough of us I am going to invite a friend to entertain for us after the paddle on the gorgeous shore of the Niagara River, hopefully under a starlit sky. She plays guitar and has a strong singing voice akin to K.D. Lang and Jann Arden, personal favorites of mine. I am also considering lighting up my BBQ so that we can endulge on some yummy snacks. What's a paddle without FOOD???

So, as soon as I get some input from y'all, I will announce a date and get this gig together!!!

Happy Easter!
-Carla

MORE on the Navy Island Proposal

It occurred to me that most of you will be driving pretty far for an evening paddle so you might be interested in setting up camp before the paddle so you won't have to drive home afterwards. I would be thrilled to host a bike ride the following day (some of you might prefer getting more kayaking in) if there are any road cycling enthusiasts among you, and I will tailor it to the weakest link. If the discrepancies glare we can break into two or three groups and hook up as a group for lunch afterwards. That said, I won't turn it into a race or endurance contest. I promise!!! (fingers crossed behind my back)

Again, let me know if this suits 'cause this girl is ALWAYS up for a bike ride. Besides, I want to see the kayak rollers I have come to know and love do a 360 on a road bike!!!
-Carla

Re: SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND

Sounds like fun Carla. Would it be more or less fun with either a full moon or no moon. Late night drive doesn't bother me but in you want us all over for a sleepover why don't you jsut ask. Do we bring our own pillows for the pillow fight, or do you have plenty?

SLEEPOVER!!!

AHHHHAHAHAHAHAHA! Aren't YOU just the funniest guy!!! Oh yes, I have plenty of pillows for a pillow fight. Mine has a brick in it!!!! Still wanna play???

As for the full moon, I thought about it but decided that the logistics of the tour are going to be difficult enough without factoring in the phase of the moon. I am mostly interested in gaining the best attendance numbers I can so that we can pay our entertainer, AND, we will need a rain-free night if she is to sing and play her guitar in the open night air.
-Carla

Re: SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND

Now why don't I doubt yours has a brick in it????? haha
I'll leave the planning and logistics to you and Dympna then. Regardless of when it happens, it sounds like fun.

Re: SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND

I would be interested in this paddle if I have the time free for it.

Re: SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND

I would definitely be interested in this, and might be able to get my roommate in as well. Hope it works out that I am free when you do it!

Carla, You Rock!

Hey Carla,
Thanks for posting and your evening sounds like a blast! If it works for you we are free on Friday June 4th. I'll have to head home early morning as I promised my sister I'd have a garage sale with her and June 5th is the only Saturday I have free until October! I'll have to take my tent down around 6:00 am and head home becasue you know those crazy garage salers they show up early ;0)
But I'm in for partying and singing after the paddle, sounds awesome. We could all bring something for a BBQ after the paddle, our own burgers or veggie burgers with a salad or treat to share. I'll be bringing along a little wine or some bloody Caesar coolers which always make me smile!
If this date doesn't work for you then maybe Fri June 18th? I'd be pushing it though because we have a Level One the next day and I have to have my game on! It would just have to be an earlier night for me but still doable!
Thanks Again for organizing what sounds like a great evening!
Dympna

Re: SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND

I'm always in for paddle song and food - or any combination thereof.

IT'S A DATE!!!!!!!! JUNE 18th!!!!!!!!!!

JUNE 18 is the date set for the sunset paddle. My musical guest has indicated that the 18th works for her. Let's hope the weather cooperates because if it does, this should be a unique and fun opportunity to paddle, be exposed to some phenomenal music and enjoy a good BBQ/friendship.

Thanks to all of you who have responded so far. I hope you find my selected date favorable.

-Carla

JUNE 18 - Navy Island Sunset Paddle

Carla, this sounds like a great way to spend a Friday evening.
We just have to keep Alan away from the Canadian Navy ships just in case he decides he wants to sink them all!

Canadian Navy Ships

I thought the fleet of GLSKA kayaks WERE Canada's Navy ships!!! Did someone lie to me???

Re: SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND

Malcolm be nice.
Carla, back in the day, and by the day I mean the early 80's, West Edmonton Mall had more submarines than the Canadian Navy. And they were more electronically advanced as well.

June 18th We'll be there!

Hi Carla,
Okay, June 18th it is! We'll be there and we'll post it on our front page the weekend beforehand so that we make others aware. Should be a great night...are you sure you can handle all of us crazy kayakers????

AWESOME, DYMPNA!

Of course I can handle all of the crazy kayakers! Ya gotta BE one to ENDURE one!

Let's hope the weather holds out!

Later, girl!
-Carla

p.s. Thank you for your "Ask the Experts" kitty advice. My 88 facial stitches and shredded wetsuit are irrefutable evidence of kitty bliss. I have never seen my meow so animated! I simply cannot wait to paddle with kitty again. I am indebted to "Ask the Experts". You guys rock!

In fo'sure

Hi Carla.

I am totally in for this paddle and pumped to hang out with some music and food afterwards. Did you have the parking location on the last Navy Island thread? Where do we meet again?

Cheers

PARKING

There is plenty of parking at the boat ramp on the Niagara River Parkway at Weinbrenner Road just south of the cataract and directly across from Navy Island.

I just got word on the weekend that my friend might not be able to perform for us. That will remain up in the air as her list of personal commitments grows but I am still going to BBQ burgers for everyone. Bring your own beverages.

CHEAP, CLEAN, CONVENIENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Located adjacent to the Niagara River Parkway, a couple of kilometers away from the falls is Niagara's hostel. To check it out go to www.hostelniagara.ca It is an option for those not wanting to drive home after the Navy Island paddle and is a very affordable alternative to camping. If you are considering it I would recommend you make a reservation.
Ciao!
Carla

Campgrounds

I am not sure I will be able to stay the night in Niagra Falls.Don't want to drive back home but may have to work early Saturday morning.The Hostel looks pretty good.What Campgrounds would you suggest.

CAMPING

For camping opportunities, check out riversidepark.net/

This is a campground located on the Niagara River several kilometers south of where we are kayaking.

Consider phoning for reservations.

Navy Island Paddle

I am not familiar with your group but I would love to join in. I thought I would mention that you can camp on Navy Island. You require a permit from the Niagara Parks Police located on the Niagara Parkway right near the bottom of Clifton Hill. The last time my daughter and I camped there, the permit was $15.00 per person.

Thanks

Ok thanks,Carla.Still up in the air if I am working or not.Now I have a couple choices if I end up staying over-night.Just curious, is there still camping on Navy Island?

CAMPING ON NAVY IS NO LONGER ALLOWED

HEADS UP FOLKS...CAMPING ON NAVY ISLAND IS NO LONGER ALLOWED. IT MAY BE OPENED UP AGAIN ONE DAY BUT FOR NOW IT IS OUT OF BOUNDS.
-CARLA

CONFIRMATION TO ATTEND

Please confirm your intent to attend so that I can have enough food on the barbie for y'all.

Email me at crienzo@sympatico.ca with your message so that I can contact you directly (and on Learn To Kayak) with a cancellation notice in the event of inclement weather.

-Carla

LAUNCH TIME / COST PER PERSON

Sunset is at 8:45 so I propose we be on the water at 7:00 p.m.


Please be prepared to cough up $10 per person for the entertainment. I have the burgers and fixin's covered.

If you feel like bringing side dishes to share you won't get an argument from me. Snacks and munchies of all types are always welcome. BYOB but please be responsible.

Bring chairs, utensils, plates.

Cross yer fingers for clear skies and light winds!!!

-CARLA

Do you have your papers? (said in a Germanic accent of course)

Not to be a fear mongerer, but as we will be tripsing relatively close to the border on the eve of the G8/G20 summit, it might be a wise idea to have along with you some pretty good ID, like passport. Just in case. You know how twitchy some fingers get when they are presented with an opportunity to get twitchy. I'm sure nothing will happen other than being observed by a drone that is controlled out of a mountain in Colorado, but you can never be too careful.

Paranoid Android

Seriously!? Dympna thinks you have been hanging out upside down in your boat too long! Roll up and relax! We will not be bringing our passports!
I think the only thing that is twitchy around here is you Drummond.

Also yes you can be to careful if you end up with a soggy passport at the back of a lineup at the passport office.


P.S. James will be wearing a black balaclava.

P.P.S. Please message in with votes to evict Drummond from this paddle.

PASSPORTS

I say we all wear Bin Laden beards and paint bull's eyes on our kayaks! Are ya all in? Let's turn this paddle into a full-on action thriller as we taunt and tease patrolling border officials in their roving gunships. Oh, what fun as they shoot us out of the water in an effort to determine which one of us is the real Bin Laden!!!

James/Dympna, my vote is for expulsion from the trip!

Boot him off!

I vote we make him walk the plank.

I'm the smart ass, not you!!!!

WTF, I'm supposed to be the smart ass around here not you three.
Carla, no need to buy James a Bin Laden beard he is sporting a pretty good one these days.

Back to a serious note though, my service van was gone over by a dog and a cop on Monday when I went to the underground at Union Station. Last week we had some shady looking characters on the roof of or building and taking licence plates in the parking lot (our buiding is right under the flight line of one of the runways and about 400 yards from the end of the runway. And by shady I mean sunglass wearing, sportcoat wearing, comfy shoe wearing, smell like bacon kind of guys.
So you take a bunch of wahoos (that would be us) and put them a few feet from the border, at night, in a place that people don't normally go at the best of times, on the eve of a summit that is so over securityized (Al word) I think it is safe to say someone may be asking us some very pointed questions. Personally I am not wearing a balaclava or singing along to a certain Bruce Cockburn song, as fun as that is under normal circumstances.

Best be prepared,

ALan

PS please feel free to continue making fun of me now

PHEW...my singer/guitar player is coming

Well, it was touch and go for our entertainment but I just got word that Donna Marie Marchand (please call her D.M. or Mamma D.) is going to attend. I know you will really enjoy her. Please be prepared to pay her $10/person for her participation.

As you know, I am cooking hamburgers for everyone so do consider adding something on even if you do not enough to go around. If everyone brings something we should have tons of food. Think chips, salads, desserts, etc.

BRING YOUR OWN PLATES, UTENSILS, BEVERAGES, CHAIRS.

See y'all Friday.

Please RSVP crienzo@sympatico.ca to let me know how many in your party are coming so I can make sure there are enough burgers.

CIAO,
Carla
p.s. The nesting ospreys are back and we shall paddle out to see them.

SORRY...CORRECTION

Mamma D. just made a quick retraction. SHE CANNOT JOIN US.

I hope you will all come out anyway and make the most of the evening. Nothing wrong with a good group of like-minded folks, a paddle on the upper Niagara river with a really cool view of the Niagara Falls skyline and cataract, a good BBQ/munchies and some chuckles. It's all good.

-Carla

Friday, June 18th

This would be the first time out this session!! Is Friday, June 18th on?

Lori

Hi Lori

Most definitely, the sunset paddle around Navy Island IS still on. Launch time is 7:30 p.m. A BBQ is to follow. Feel free to bring some add-on munchies to share. Think salad, chips, dessert, etc. Bring your own plate, cutlery, beverages and chair. Unfortunately as noted above, my singer cannot make it but I think we have a good group of personalities attending so that we will be more than able to make our own fun! So, welcome aboard! The more, the merrier, and if you have never been on this paddle before I think you are in for a treat. It's pretty cool.
-Carla

Re: JUNE 18th SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND MUSIC and BBQ

Hi Carla,

Thx. for the getting back to me so quickly. My friends and I are alittle anxious b/c we are novices to the sport, so we are wondering how long is the paddle (5 km. ...) we don't want to embrass ourselves. Also, I am knew to Ontario and am wondering what time do we estimate to be back on land for the BBQ. I am heading in from Burlinton, and thus, wondering how long the drive might be. Sorry for all the questions

Lori

Hi Lori

All fair questions. I will be offended if you feel you ever have to be embarassed about your kayak skills on my tours. We all have to start somewhere and we all have humble beginnings (and continue to have humbling spills!). I know GLSKA is not a teaching club but I believe we all have a sense that we are there to support one another. So far, the weather forecast looks excellent. If it remains the same, I expect to be on the water for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. What I intend to do is a leisurely paddle around Navy Island with a quick stop near the American shoreline to check out the nesting ospreys then paddle back to the cars for the BBQ. Your drive from Burlington to the launch area should take approximately one hour, maybe a tad over assuming a driving speed of 110km/hr.

If you have any further questions or concerns, fire away.
-Carla

Re: JUNE 18th SUNSET PADDLE AROUND NAVY ISLAND MUSIC and BBQ

Hi Carla,

If I can rent akayak for a friend in time then both of us are in. Can you please provide me with the driving directions and/or exact meeting spot?

Thx.
Lori

Navy Island Paddle

Another newbie here !
I just joined and I am interested in this paddle,
What are the requirements for the trip,
Do we need running lights? Is a skirt necessary?
I'm in T.O. and the distance is a little intimidating.
Can you e-mail me the info and locations as well.
Thanks
Ted B

directions

From the QEW, take the Lyons Creek Road exit. Lyons Creek Road becomes Main Street and runs through the village of Chippawa. Take Main Street all the way to the Niagara River Parkway. Turn RIGHT onto the Parkway. Our parking area will be a couple of kilometers down the road right along the river directly across from Navy Island. If the parking lot is full, park on the lawn.

I will not have lights on my kayak but a headlamp might be handy. I don't really expect to be on the water well into darkness.

Newbies are welcome! Barring rain and wind this is an easy tour.

WHOA THIS IS TONIGHT!??

If you are sitting reading this on the evening of the 18th June, why aren't you paddling with us!?? :D

Great Evening

Carla, thanks for organizing, looking forward to the next one! Anyone got any pictures?

Fun Evening

Thank You Carla,
Nice meeting all of you and seeing the falls from a different angle.
Sorry I couldn't stay for the BBQ, had to work but will see you all again on the water.

Ted B (in the wooden tug)

pictures

I got pictures Craig if your interested,or anyone interested in them, send me an email.They are of the sunset,well with James in the middle of it.

Pictures

Great, can you email them to craig.woodall@amec.com, thanks

Pictures and Cell Phones

If anyone has pics I would love to have them. Send to crienzo@sympatico.ca

I want to thank each and every one of you who came out last night. We were blessed with the weather, the sighting of deer, raccoons, fox, osprey and of course, fireflys. I could not have been happier with the food choices all of you came up with. You simply made an ordinary hamburger event so much more enjoyable. Thank you!!!

I would like everyone's email address so that I can easily keep you abreast of future outings should I be able to get something together. Of course, keep me in the loop too!

Special thanks to Kristine Casement for having the hamburgers ready for us when we came off the water. You made hosting this event so easy for me. Thank you.

-Carla

Navy Island

Thx. to all of you who were patient with Jenn. and I; it was our first social and I couldn't have asked for a better group and experience. You are truly all a great and welcoming bunch!

A special thx. goes to Carla who organized an amazing tour! That's Kristine for the the locally grown juicy strawberries!

Lori



Pls. send me any pics. of the trip at lori_ciolek@hotmail.com

Thanks Carla!

We had a great time. Looking forward to the next one!

Would love to see the pics Roger.

info@learntokayak.ca

Picture posts

Being new here I tried to post a single picture with a great BIG
Thank You Carla.

Will not work ! Darn
Here , I hope is a link to my photobucket photo's

http://s1039.photobucket.com/albums/a475/TommieB14257/Kayak%20Paddle/

And If anyone is wondering about the construction of my Chesapeake 16 kayak here is a link to construction photos.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/576501980cddqOg


Great paddling with your group and looking forward to another soon.

Ted B

Dang it

Me's think's me's missed the paddle of the summer. Hold on, it's not summer yet. So I guess I missed the paddle of the spring. OK, I feel better now. How's about another Carla??????

Ditto on the the dang it

Sorry to have missed out, those sunset pics are gorgeous!!
Wasn't feeling so hot after gardening like a fiend for 2 days... I'll be there for the next!