Ewker's First Kayaking Trip

“This weekend I went on my first kayaking/camping trip at Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee.

We met at 9:00am Saturday morning at Cumberland Transit. What a great feeling to know you that your the only guy with 6 women.
Then we headed out to meet the group supplying the kayaks. Dale Hollow is a man made lake with extremely clear and deep water. It is one of the deepest lakes in Tn.

We started out on land with some lessons on how to paddle and to get in the kayak without tipping over. (I did anyway)
After the lessons we loaded our gear into the kayaks. I was suprised how much gear you can put into the kayaks.
We pushed the kayaks into the water and off we went. It was fun trying to balance myself and paddle at the same time. After about 10 minutes you kind of get use to it and the longer you go the more comfortable you feel. We headed across the main channel dodging the jet skis, bass boats and houseboats. It was cool to take the waves from the boats head on. We paddled to the other shore line and followed it around. We pulled over and went swimming/floating. We played around chatted then got back into the kayaks and headed to the island we were camping at. Once there we unloaded our gear found a good campsite and set everything up. It felt great knowing we didn't have to cook. The group supplying the kayaks also supplied the food. I did bring a little adult beverage for everyone to sip on later than evening.
After dinner we went on a night paddle. We had our headlamps on while on the lake. The lake was so different at night compared to what we encountered during the day. The water was calm and you breezed acoss the lake. We paddled back into a cove and sat there tied up together. Listening to the sounds and watching the stars glisten. It was so peaceful just floatin in the water. If I could have laid back I could have easily fell a sleep. We were out for a an hour or so before we headed back to camp. It was east to find as there was a party barge in the cove.
We got back to camp made a fire and sat around chatting.

The next morning we slept in got up to breakfast and coffee already made. We ate then loaded up for some more paddling. We spent about another 3 hours out on the lake before we heard thunderstorms in the distance. At that point we headed back to out take out point. We got there and proceeded to get everything loaded up before the rains came.
It was a great trip. I knew I wanted to get a kayak and this confirmed my thoughts.

Here are the pictures from the trip. Ewker's Paddling Trip
I didn't have my camera available to me while paddling. I didn't want to lose it or get it wet. Next time I will since I feel better about it.”

“Dam Ewker! How'd you manage to get all the girls to yourself!

atta boy!”

“That Ewker. What a chick magnet.”

“And just how many "bag nights" did you score on this one?”

“You dog, you, how did you manage this little expedition? Was it for women only, and you said "oopsy you put Edwina for your name by mistake?"
Sounds like a lot of fun. I am glad you had a nice time. Y2 should take some pointers from you, in the meeting women category.
Sleeping with 6 women in one weekend and you didn't even have to wine and dine them. Wait you said you brought a little somethin' somethin' in your flask :)”

“notice Ewkers strange silence since he started this...”

“Strategic silence is where legends are born.”

“dang did anyone look at the pictures or just stop reading after I mentioned I was the only guy. There is a nice group shot of the ladies that I cut myself out of.”

“Glad you 1) got your kayak
and 2) had a nice weekend!

The photos are primo.
I liked the sunset ones alot. I also liked the group one. Good looking folks and water crafts also. One of my favorite pix of all time is a group of kayakers I photographed at Hooker Falls, NC.
So many pretty colored kayaks and smiling faces!

I heard from a kid I met this Summer.... that the West Fork of the Obey River has alot of awesome waterfalls on it. Very remote, hard to access waterfalls.... but nonetheless...

LOL.. I'm a determined woman.
Perhaps some day I'll get to see some of them.”

“So Ewker, what model kayak did you use, and fall out of? ;-)

Most looked like Dagger models. I paddled a Dagger Magellan for a bit and liked it a lot. Too bad they don't make them anymore.”

“Kenny fell out of his. He practiced his "roll" technique right shot out of the bag.
I jumped into mine.. he tried to jump his big ass into his....
and says "oo! these things are wobbly" i looked back to check on him.. just as he rolled it. I was stunned. He came up cussing wildly. He jumped out of the river. Said "THATS IT! We're done for the day!" I turned my back to him and refused to look. Lest he see how hard I was fighting the fit of laughter. I was shaking visibly from fighting a fit of giggles. I decided if he wouldn't go... I'd go alone and paddle the extra 3 miles back to my house.
He cowboyed up, dumped his kayak, and went on. A mile or so down the river.. he started talking to me. He asked "I just wanna know one thing. When you had your back to me and wouldn't look at me. You were fighting not to laugh at me, weren't ya?" I sez "Das right!"

He's a sweetie. I think I'll keep him.”

“SS, I was in the Dagger Magellan. I tipped it over as I was getting out after we had come back in for the night paddle. I was the only one to do that until the next day.

I did have a little problem with the rudder. I don't think I got the pedals lined up right.

It was weird you would paddle and think you were going straight then you would look around and everyone was way away from you. I really think they were paddling crooked...lol”

“they prolly were. ;)

I've never used one with a rudder but without a reference point it would be hard to keep it straight., kinda like a in a rowboat where your effectively going backwards.”

“Hey Ewker, thanks for the trip report. Sounds like a lot of fun.

I recently paddled a 16ft kayak and the rudder was awesome...don't think I could have gotten it turned without it. Yet, it did take some getting use to and mine was never lined up either.

I'm jealous!! I want to do a kayak/camping trip sometime in the future.”

“Ha, don't feel bad about tipping over getting out.
That's when I went over in my Carolina, but I didn't come out. Just stayed in the seat in about 6" of water, LOL.
If you beach the front of the kayak with only the front on the shore, you will go over almost ever time. The front on solid ground makes the stability near zero. I've learned to pull my legs up and then lower both over each side into the water while I'm sitting in the yak. When my feet hit bottom I stand up over the yak.”

“Nice TR and pics dude!
Gotta warn ya tho....Yaking is VERY adictive! :-)”

“How do you list it on your resume?”

“ewker, glad you got to go. I know you were excited big time. Its sounds like a great trip and WOW 6 womens, thats a lot of nagging! Poor you LOL!”