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Lake Coeur d'Alene: Boothe Park ,November 3, 2001- evening

By Dennis Andrew

I hustled through my chores Saturday, attempting to get onto the water during the fine weather. Finally headed to Lake Cd'A about 3:30 - listening to the start of the WSU-UCLA game on the way. Put in at Boothe park along the north shore. Was 4:15 when I pushed off from shore and the light was fading. Looking for landmarks so I can find this spot when I need to return after dark tonight. Notice the light at the end of the dock just east of the public dock. Wearing light nylon pants, mukluks, polypro tee, long sleeve nylon shirt and spray skirt. Air temperature about 50° as I headed out toward Arrowhead point with a light quartering tailwind. Boat seems to leecock against the wind more then usual. With no load, am able to lean or more accurately arch back to drop the stern enough to track straight. Previously would have leaned the boat. Leaning into the wind - port side, causes a continual right carve that would keep my heading. Guessing I can't change the trim this much in a loaded boat, but must remember to try - Operator needs more experience. Beautiful orange sunset with the water taking on the colors as the light gets low. Glad I was there. Tried to position myself furthest from shoreline as possible - someplace between Arrowhead and Tubs Hill. Had dinner in the dark on the water - quite nice. Good sandwich, good beer, light breeze, no traffic. Lights were ready if needed.

After dinner headed toward the house on the Arrowhead that sits high on a rock 20 ft off the water. Wanted to check out the structure under the deck. Had passed close to it before and thought it might be an elevator / cable system drop to the water. My 'in-the-dark' inspection says it's just a platform for the green nav light.

Stopped on shore - below high water mark only - to set lights at bow & stern. Both lights have a backup tether should the suction attachment fail. Clunk!! - My strobe light hits the deck as I lean over the boat. The clip was fastened when I stopped for dinner. Note - double check the clip when attaching and add a tether to strobe light before next outing.
Headed for home using bay for wind protection for the first part of the return trip. Navigating home was much simpler than expected. The interstate highway bridge that is above and just west of the Boothe dock has three red marker lights. And someone was burning high on the hill close to the highway right above the dock. The fire was still visible as I was coming in. The dock is at the east edge of a dark hole on the shoreline. Never did see the "red" light on the neighboring dock until I was loading the kayak on top of the car. Bit more wind crossing back to the north shore, guessing 12 knots. Getting cooler, add gore-tex jacket as top layer. That's interesting. Jacket covers up the strobe light on PFD. For this trip, the light is off and jacket does not need to be zipped, but what about next trip? The bow light would pierce through waves - neat visual. Night paddling reminds me of back country skiing at night. Enjoyable by letting other senses take over. Acutely tuned to motion and sounds. Was it Jennifer Hahn that said 'dance with the waves'?

Ran out of wind 5 minutes off shore. Coast home and start unloading. Tether on bow light is not fastened to the light! Backup failed but primary held. Poor note choice coupled with failure to inspect gear could have cost me a light. Permanent tethers should use a swedge.

3 hours on the water. Cougs beat UCLA.