It was after eight this morning when I crawled out of bed, glanced out the window and saw the lake. I don’t know why I didn’t feel like crawling back into bed like I had for most of this week. The desire to close my eyes once again and greet the morning slowly is normal for me. Instead I felt the pull of the lake. It was calm and beautiful.
Just this week we took my kayak out of the shed, brought it down to the lake and placed it on a stand made from repurposed wooded tomato cages. These tomato cages, built by The Doc, were required for last year’s indeterminate tomatoes. This year we are returning to our favourite and preferred Scotian variety of tomatoes, which are manageable with standard wire cages. Turns out the wooden structures laid on their sides, with a couple of old deck boards added were perfect for setting two kayaks on.
I don’t remember what I originally planned to do this morning. It doesn’t really matter now because in an instant I decided to go for my first paddle of the season. I skipped breakfast and changed into a pair of cropped yoga pants and a three-quarter-sleeved t shirt. Then I tied my hair back, grabbed my phone and a hat, slipped on my water shoes and headed out the back door and across the yard. But not before spraying any uncovered skin with Deep Woods Off.
At the top of the garden path, I stopped to gaze at the view. The closer I got to the water the more beautiful it appeared. Living where I live is one of the biggest things I am grateful for. No one has to tell me how lucky I am. Believe me, I know. I have been here, back in my home province, for over twenty years and it never fails to both inspire and calm me.
Stopping at the shed, I grabbed my life jacket and paddle and returned to the path just in time to see a blue heron fly overhead. Sorry no photo. Once in the kayak, I pushed off and began paddle down the lake.
Fish were jumping everywhere. Gaspereau to be exact. They are a bony herring-like fish that come up the river and into the lake every spring. This year there are lots of them, which makes me happy because they remind me of my childhood when they were plenty, and because some years there have been hardly any. Nope no photo of jumping fish either.
Because the gaspereau are in the lake the cormorants are also in the lake and they swim and dive for food. This morning I saw several drifting on the surface of the lake. Again no photo. The sea gulls also like to hang around when the gaspereau are running. There is no photo of sea gulls either.
It didn’t take long before the black flies found me. I don’t know how the little buggers managed to discover that I was out in the middle of the lake but they did. My body heat was attractive and my sweet blood obviously smelled too good to resist. They traveled a good distance from shore to have a chance to taste such a treat.
This sweet blood thing is not an old wives’ tale. It is actually true. Once on a camping trip in Algonquin Park with The Doc and my step sons, non of whom are ever bothered by insects as much as I am, we attended a lecture where they began the talk with the following question: do you ever wonder why bugs seem to like some people better than others? That’s where I learned I had sweet blood. Who knew? I can guarantee it is the only thing about me that is sweet.
Although I had applied bug spray, the flies were determined. They buzzed at me from all sides and angles. The crawled under my hat. They absolutely loved my getting into my hair line. They took walking tours on my sleeves and sunglasses. They were so damn annoying.
I headed towards my favourite cove, but changed the plan and turned around hoping to find a breeze. I tried to visit the spot where I often see a turtle sunning on a rock but changed the plan again. I never thought I would ever think that the lake was too calm; but in black fly season, the wind is your best friend.
Because there wasn’t a breeze and I couldn’t out distance the black flies with my paddle, I headed back across the lake towards home. I did see a loon diving, a bald eagle take off from the shore line, and a family of ducks swimming in the shallows. Nope I don’t have photos of these either. There is no way I can paddle, shoo flies and take pictures at the same time.
It was not the best ever paddle. Nor was it the worst ever paddle. It was this year’s first paddle, and it left me anticipating the second one. Black fly season will be over in a couple of weeks.
Thank you for reading.
Photos: Jenn Stone
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The flies would drive me absolutely crazy but oh how beautiful that scenery is. 😁
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The flies can drive you nuts for sure. I love to be outside this time of year so bug spray and wind wishes are a constant.
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We have black flies on our hills here but they definitely don’t bite so I’m assuming they’re not the same kind. They do settle on you and drink sweat and so on though… I’m one with sweet blood too – I’m not surprised as I eat lots of puddings etc. Richard doesn’t eat any kind of sweet or dessert and he never gets plagued or bitten by anything! I’ve always said it was because of my sweet blood that I smelt attractive to biting insects.
I had my first row of the season the other day too but it was spoiled by there being ‘wild swimmers’ all over the lake (even right in the middle in the deepest parts). The water was quite roughed up so I couldn’t tell them from the waves and I don’t think they realise they’re in danger swimming in a boating lake. I saw some ruffled water but it wasn’t until I spotted one swimmer with a float I realised they were swimmers and to be avoided. From there on, I had to row with each stroke looking over one shoulder or the other – not really the best way to row. I don’t think they realise that rowers are going backwards and not much higher in the water than they are so can’t see them!
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Believe it or not, I don’t have a sweet tooth. Yet those bugs love me.
It would be very frustrating trying to paddle with the swimmers not being careful and aware. I imagine that having to twist your neck around all the time would be uncomfortable as well.
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I was actually late back with the boat as it really slowed me down having to twist about instead of just pulling. It’s a bit offputting for rowing in future…
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I feel your pain with the black flies. They can ruin a wonderful day in no time flat. I’ve always wanted to kayak but never have… now my bad knee would never allow it.
😫
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I should get that bug spray but we see so many deer ticks.. very deadly. Yuck.
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The Deep Woods Off is good against ticks as well. And it doesn’t smell bad either, which is a bonus.
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First, gorgeous photos.
Second, lovely travelogue.
Third, thank you for bringing up the “sweet blood” thing. I hadn’t really heard of this before, but I’ve always known that there was something wrong with my personal chemistry, as insects LOVE me. I can drench myself in sprays and lotions, but two seconds after I step foot outside it’s like a biblical plague, with tiny, buzzing kamikazes tearing at my flesh and soul. Partner, on the other hand, can walk from Dallas to Nova Scotia, completely naked, and he will never get a bite.
I’ve always told him it’s because he’s so bitter that his blood tastes like acid. (This sounds mean, but it’s actually a loving, long-standing inside joke. I’m sure you know how that works with couples.) Now that I know it’s possible that my own blood is really the problem, I’ll have to shift the theme around a bit so that I’m now being victimized just because I’m a really sweet person and he’s not and life is unfair.
This shift will annoy him greatly. Thank you for the opportunity… 😉
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I guess the shift could be considered bittersweet.
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When the black flies are all over, that ruins most of the enjoyment of any activity for me. Sweet blood is a new concept for me, but I had noticed that some people tend to get pestered more than others, so it makes sense.
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Luckily the black flies will be gone soon. A couple of hot days strung together and they are toast.
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Such a beautiful place to wake up
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Thank you. It really is. It puts my life into perspective.
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How beautiful and serene. Those pesky black flies are so annoying (said one sweet-blooded person to another). I am a salty and savoury king of girl yet, they always find me, while Tony, who is the one with the sweet tooth remains untouched. Go figure. Wishing you many great paddles!
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I know the salty savoury feeling. I prefer the main course over dessert any day. I like to think that it is because I am already sweet enough but I really know be.
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Haha, I know what you mean 🙂
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I can see why you changed your plans, the lake is lovely. We use Deep Woods for every kind of bug too, but don’t have black flies here that I have noticed. Hopefully there’s a little wind for you tomorrow. 🙂 Maggie
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Fingers crossed.
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Plans change often. I don’t think that’s the real issue, it’s how you adapt to the change that is interesting. How’s that for sounding pithy on a Tuesday afternoon? Ha! Thanks for not taking photos of everything you did. It’s refreshing to just read about something a person did.
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I agree. Flexibility is a good thing. And I like pithy.
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Early morning solo adventures are the best (even if one has to contend with determined insects). Love the photos — gorgeous scenery. Looks like an idyllic spot you’ve got there!
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Yes I am very fortunate to live here even with black flies for a few weeks of the year.
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I feel you. My husband isn’t bothered by insects the way I am. Especially mosquitoes! Some would say it’s blood type and that type ‘O’ can attract more, which I believe since my husband is ‘B’ and I’m ‘O’. Hope it isn’t long before you get to enjoy a bug-free paddle!
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Thanks. Funny I am type O. So there maybe something to that.
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What a perfect morning, Jennifer! Beautiful photos. I’m laughing at “sweet blood” because I get torn up by biting insects too. I used to tell my husband it was due to my “brown sugar skin.” He was quick to remind me I wasn’t that sweet. 😁
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Ha ha. I get that. Everyone is quick to remind me I’m not that sweet. It’s because We are honest. No sugar coating from us.
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