Things to Do
Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Kayaking
and canoeing offer an opportunity for a unique and timeless
experience. This is the way people traveled many years before
motors or even sails were invented. Kootenay Lake offers many
destinations from one hour to several days. Four and five
day kayak trips can be planned and plotted out using maps
of the area or you can take several daytrips, staying in any
one of the variety of accommodations available. The area is
full of wonderful sights, historical treasures and great places
to explore. The water is so clear and all the destination
spots are garbage free. A great place to come and de-stress.
Imagine ... you're sitting comfortably in your kayak and all set to push off. You hear the rush of sand under you then silence. With a soft rocking motion of the kayak you drift away from the shore and leave the stress of day-to-day life behind. Ahh, peace and relaxation at last.
Paddling close to shore you can see the lake bottom; Kootenay Lake's clear water enables you to see into the far depths. Fish swim around under you and you might see an osprey or an eagle flying above you. If you're lucky enough to go paddling in the early morning in spring you can see the Canadian Geese flying in formation only a dozen feet above your head. There is a peaceful silence in the air, a breeze on your face from the south. You paddle into the breeze and thoroughly enjoy the cleansing sensation nature gives you. You decide to paddle out into the deeper water and head straight south, way off in the distance you can make out the ferry, the sky is clear blue and the mountains still have a bit of snow on them. Fresh clean air, no phone, computer, TV, news flashes, or demands of everyday life.
The
ripples of the water are coming straight at you giving you
the sensation that you're moving very fast, steadily, and
with grace. You paddle with your eyes closed and your senses
feel as though they are getting a well needed work out.
You then notice that the air has gone very still. You're
not quite sure but you feel uneasy. The sky is still blue;
the picture in front of you hasn't changed. You decide to
turn around and head back to the beach. You turn around
and it is as if you just changed channels. The sky in the
far north is looking black. The air is feeling heavy and
warm. It is time to go back, but the water is like glass,
so beautiful, and quiet. The wind is starting, not the soft
breeze like from the south, this one is different. You paddle
steady and feel your muscles getting a work out. The waves
are getting bigger but you are finding that the kayak bobs
up and down like it is playing a game with the waves. The
wind is in your face, blood pumping through you, and ahead
the majestic view of mountains coming to a point on the
horizon. The colours of the blue water match with the dark
blue of the mountains and blue grey of the sky.
You see the beach only few hundred metres away as you fight the wind, loving the up and down motion of the waves. Then unexpectedly you catch a wave and is pushes you gently up onto the beach and leaves you high and dry. Just as though you were meant to catch that wave. You hear a rushing sound above the sound of the waves on the beach and you realize you've just made it.
The rain starts with such vigour. It is warm and not cold like you expected it to be. It doesn't last long. You sit and let you senses enjoy yet another workout. The rain ends as quickly as it started and blue sky is starting to peak through the clouds already and the birds are out singing.
All gear put away, the warm sun on your face, and feeling
as though your heart body and soul just had a holiday. You
feel refreshed, positive, happy, and leave feeling better
than you've ever felt in a long time.
Lake Access fro Kayaks & Canoes
(*may have to pay a small Fee)
