July 4th on Lake Newport
We took the girls out on the lake today, the first time we’ve tried the inflatable kayaks right here in town.
It was pretty impressive. Even the Teenager, Jamie, who had until this point been complaining that we didn’t have “real” Boats ended up having a great time and wants to go back this weekend.
Kowing that it was going to be a cool, overcast day with the chance of thunderstorms, we really didn’t have anything planned: Which, of course was the reason to get boats that can fit in the trunk in the first place. After a late breakfast, everybody started getting antsy and we decided to give the Boat Launch at lake Newport a chance.
We loaded the boats and life vests into the trunk and took a duffle with snacks and cans of Jones Soda. Total cost: 3$.
We then drove to the Boat Launch on East Newport Drive. East Newport is one way, with the bike and jogging path on the other lane. To get to the boat launch you have to enter it from Shields road. You drive down on Newport until Just past Midlothian and just before you emerge from the park on Glenwood. Total Drive time: 7 Minutes.
When we got there There was a couple of people fishing from the pier, and two groups out on the lake. Another couple pulled up as we were inflating the boats with their hard shell kayaks on their car, setting off the teenager again.
However once we got on the water, all was forgiven. The wind was pretty strong, so we decided to go into it towards the wetlands. That way, if everyone got tired, we could just skate back towards the dock. We saw a couple of Herons, and some fish jumping. I had the Toddler in my boat, and was pleasantly surprised at how well behaved she was. She did lean into the water, and liked sticking her foot in, but listened when I told her to sit back. The boats handled better than I thought they would, and were incredibly stable. I was very confident she wouldn’t fall in.
After meeting by the shallow water buoys and having snacks and drinks, we decided to give the wetlands a try. I was a little apprehensive about this as there were lots of rocks and sticks poking up, but the boats held up well. They don’t draft hardly at all and glide right over obstructions.
On the way back we were all starting to get tired. Naturally the wind had died down so it was quite a paddle back to the launch. The two guys fishing helped us out. Thanks.
We couldn’t stop talking on the way back. It was an extremely fun couple of hours that cost us nothing right here in town. It was interesting to see that the lake was getting some use, even if it wasn’t as much as you would think on a holiday. We are know thinking of getting a bike trailer for the boats: we’re wondering if we can get to the bike path from out house.
No pictures as the camera malfunctioned though.
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Speaking of things to do that don’t cost a whole lot, the Arts Festival on the campus of YSU is taking place this weekend, July 7 & 8. Check out N. Rockwell’s “Lincoln the Log Splitter” at the Butler and the mineral collection in the science building on campus. The various ethic booths offer some really good food at the most reasonable prices in town. Sample raspberry or apricot crepes at the Hungarian booth for only $0.75 each or try a Middle Eastern platter featuring the best hummus I’ve ever tasted, skewered chicken, rice with vegetables and pita bread at the Palestine booth for $6.00. More traditional choices include halushki, cabbage rolls, and grape leaves. The artisan craft booths offer a variety of wares, most interesting and some quite beautiful, if a little pricey. Saw a lovely shaker-style occasional table with beautiful cherry trim but, at $1,595.00, it was a little out of our price range. It didn’t cost anything to look, however.
Sorry I deleted the following comment from Toni.