paddling with a camera

Below I-25 the river was flowing along a high cliff on the left shore and then through several cottonwood groves. It was really photogenic but I didn't have a good light for photography. The afternoon was dark and cloudy.

The current was slower with many more obstacles in comparison to the river above I-25. I was afraid of fences across the river. Fortunately, it wasn't a problem. There were a few fences but with smooth wires high above the water starting from one just below my launching. One barbed wire fence was held down by logs and it was possible to push kayak over that jam. In another place the strong current went behind the fence that was parallel to the shore. That one required more attention.

I met many fallen trees in the water. Sometimes portaging was necessary, other times it was possible to push kayak around on wet grass. How to go over, under or around these trees may depend on water level. My tippy Sisson kayak with a high front deck is not the best boat to paddle through log jams and fallen trees, but it is my best boat to paddle upstream.

It was really nice as soon as I left behind me noise of the freeway. A lot of wildlife was visible along the river: blue herons, ducks, hawks, a coyote. There was a pasture with several horses above the road 3 bridge. A curious white horse with a gout friend followed me along the shore for a longer while. A cute couple!

When I turned around at the bridge it got even darker and started to rain. A sudden lightning almost blinded me. No delay between light and thunder! I immediately enter my racing mode. Next lightnings were somewhat further than just over my head. Nevertheless, I paddled upstream faster than I was going downstream! The rain was heavy and just before I reached I-25 it turned into pea size hail. I've learned that hail makes reading the river difficult ...

GPS trip odometer:4.75 miles, moving time 1:35h, stopping time 0:29h, moving speed 3.0 mph, max speed 6.9 mph. Map & slide show.

Related posts:

• 03/28/2005 Big Thompson River ?
• 04/07/2005 Paddling and Exploring the Big Thompson River below Loveland, Colorado
• 04/11/2005 Big Thompson River from I-25 to Hillsboro Dam
• 04/26/2005 Big Thompson River with a New Pentax Optio WP Camera
• 07/02/2005 Sinking Sisson Nucleus Kayak on the Big Thompson River
• 07/06/2005 Back to Big T with Sisson Nucleus