Paddlin’ with Norm/Into Lake Lewisville

Wednesday, November 26th

Last night proved to be a great “last night” of camping.  Norm and I woke to beautiful, cool, crisp North Texas morning.  We prepared for launch and departed for the Ray Roberts Marina on the opposite side of the lake.

It was an adjustment for us to get in sync with one another.  Norm actually has experience in a tandem canoe, I do not.  We eventually got it together and made our way across the lake and arrived at the marina for the portage back to the Trinity.  Old friend Dustin arrived at the marina to assist with the portage, it was surprising how quickly we were able to paddle across the lake, I think I am still scarred from the crazy lakes in “The Plains.”

Dustin drove us to the downstream park, assisted with carrying our gear to the river and Norm and I made our way down river.  I could not have asked for better circumstances for my last days on the journey-paddling with Norm, great weather (the polar vortex is almost a distant memory), and a beautiful stretch of the Trinity River.  For those of us that like in the Metroplex (Dallas/Fort Worth), paddling this stretch would be surprising.  Most people probably think of batteries, trash, and perhaps bodies in the Trinity….the reality is that it is a beautiful river.  Tree lined banks make you think you are in some quaint, far away destination.  Yes, there are spots along the way that are filled with trash/debris, but for the most part it is truly a way to decompress from the concrete of DFW.

We continued without incident until just above Lake Lewisville when we ran into a massive log that required a portage.  Norm and I lined the boat up parallel to the log and unloaded the boat.  We picked up the boat and moved it to the other side of the log and threw everything back into the canoe.  We were on our way…until Lake Lewisville.  Once we reached Lake Lewisville we became canoe victims of the Texas drought.  The channel was about 2 inches deep with 6 inches of mud/muck below.  Dusk was quickly approaching and we were pushing the boat through the mud and almost lost my boots on multiple occasions.  Norm compared the experience to getting stuck in low tide in Thailand.  Who compares Lewisville to SE Asia?

We finally made our way to a reliable channel and paddled onto the lake.  With night approaching, we paddled to the closest ramp-Lone Oak.  Kevin agreed to pick us up and take us back to his house.  We stashed the boat in the woods and decided to complete the lake tomorrow (Thanksgiving).

Today was one of the most enjoyable days of the journey.

leaving Ray Roberts

The Trinity below Ray Roberts

Let’s pick up the pace Norm

Norm

Norm and I are on our way

C’mon Norm, Paddle!!

C’mon Keith, Paddle!!

Welcome to The Trinity

The great portage

Hello Metroplex!!!

downed tree

lewisville channel

stuck..for now

Welcome to the Lewisville Delta

on our way