Snoyaking?

Is our kayaking for 2007 done? Maybe. We leave for Sandpoint in perhaps 12 days, so paddling opportunities are vanishing. Our recent Nanaimo snow has melted, but it was cold and rainy today - which was a possible kayak day. Saturday has a mere 40% chance of 'flurries', so maybe we'll kayak mid the snowflakes. We might term that 'snoyaking'.

Here at 'home', we've been discussing kayaking in the Broken Group next summer, assuming the Sechart Lodge stays in business. Another possible scenario (lower budget) would be to camp in the Nanaimo area and start day trips selected from these familiar launch sites:
* Brechin
* Departure Bay Waterfront Park
* Piper's Lagoon
* Lantzville (Sebastion, Benwaldun)
* Schooner Cove
* Cedar by the Sea
* Blue Heron Park
* Chemainus (Rotary Park)
* Ladysmith (Government Wharf)
* Lake Cowichan
Most of these give access to multiple possible paddles and might be a good fit if we brought a caravan from Sandpoint. We'd better work on our camping skills beforehand.

I need to record my list of what to take for just a kayak trip (not even talking about camping) - you know, stuff to throw in or on the car when heading to the launch for a day trip. I have no special place to keep such a list, so this will do. Here goes (per person or per kayak):
* kayak with seat
* paddle plus spare
* pump and sponge
* throw bag or tow rope
* pfd, whistle
* compass, [chart]
* spray skirt
* tool kit
* stirrup
* deck bag for camera, sunscreen etc.
* water
* pogies and boots ( weather dependent)
* hat and sunglasses
* dry suit (if appropriate)

Richard
2007.11.28