Lake Smith Paddle 7/9/2013

A formidable force descended on the Kuhn's estate in Virginia Beach this fine day for a paddle on lovely Lake Smith. The heat and humidity were tempered by a cooling breeze as the crew gathered/trampled on the manicured lawn to launch from the back dock. Canoers (Ed and Jane, Bob and Evelyn) joined kayakers (Ned, Martha, Bruce J, Margaret J, Sandy C, Ken, Bill B, Kama, Steve, Mark C, Phyllis, Bob M, Tricia, Jane O and John O) for a 6+ mile paddle on this fine morning. The armada silently entered the water, escorted by a smaller flotilla of Canada Geese, and began their adventure. Faster paddlers led the way past fancy houses and curious shorebirds-egrets and herons were everywhere. Fallen trees along the shore provided viewing platforms for turtles who had obviously heard that the Tuesday Group would be passing by. We spent several hours exploring the nooks and crannies of Lake Smith. We passed by a house that seemed to be from Revolutionary times with a brick escape tunnel from the basement and a giant chessboard on the front lawn. We dodged flying golfballs at the Cypress Point Golf Course and then went back to retrieve a few. (Ned said they were too waterlogged.) Arriving back at Ned's we tucked into our lunches and then feasted on a marvelous ice cream spread. It was delicious! Most left after lunch but Bruce, Bill, Mark, Bob and Ned decided to paddle some more. Bob wanted to try Judy's kayak . He found out that getting into kayaks is a little different than canoes. And evidently that famous Bob Balance only applies to bikes and canoes. SPLOOSH-over he went! Ned had cautioned that swimming was not allowed in Lake Smith! Afterwards, Bob went back in again (on purpose this time) in search of his missing car keys-thinking they had fallen out of his pocket when he went over. No, they were in Evelyn's bag. (Did Evelyn know all along?) About 8 miles paddled today.Another great day for the Tuesday Group!