My interest in paddling first started with my grandparents John and Ann Wilbon. They had a canoe in their backyard that on several ocassions I paddled down the creek into estaurine waters in Norfolk, VA. I also remember canoeing at summer camp in the Boy Scouts and had been to Northwest River Park several times with my father.
I’m insatiably curious, always wondering what is around the next bend.
My canoe...
I’m the proud owner of a Wenonah Prism solo canoe. This 16'6" beauty has been a great investment. It has traveled across the country with me three times and has been in the saltwater of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. I got the Kevlar Flex-Core version with a white gel-coat and black aluminum trim. I always get compliments on this boat when on the water.
| Length: | 16'6" (502.92 cm) | Gunwale Width: | 26" (66.04 cm) |
| Maximum Width: | 30.75" (78.105 cm) | Waterline Width: | 29.75" (75.565 cm) |
| Bow Depth: | 19" (48.26 cm) | Center Depth: | 12.5" (31.75 cm) |
| Stern Depth: | 17" (43.18 cm) | Rocker: | minimal |
Spec’s of the Prism from the Wenonah webpage
Estero Americano
On the Marin and Sanoma county line on the California coast, lies an estuarine body of water called the Estero Americano. From the put-in near the city of Valley Ford, it is a paddle of approximately 5.3 miles to the to the Pacific Ocean. The whole of the trip is tidal and subject to winds, so plan accordingly. Along the paddle you will run across an interesting rock formtion called "whale-tail rock" by some local paddlers. I spotted a young mule deer buck in some brush along the bank. As you get closer to the ocean, the hills rise and the Estero becomes rugged and beautiful. Closer to the ocean some of the seaweed beds get quite heavy. The inlet to the ocean can become quite narrow and swift, if you choose to explore it from your paddle-craft, use extreme caution. Looking north from the inlet the protected entrance to Bodega Harbor can be seen. Though overnight camping looks prevelant on the south side of the inlet, it is always best to ask for permission from any landowners first. As always with sand dunes, you must take care to intrude as little as possible, lest you damage these fragile ecosystems.
Slab Creek Reservoir
Northeast of Placerville, CA is a reservoir that is formed by a dam on the South Fork of the American River. The narrow gravel road alongside the reservoir to get to the western put-in is not for the faint of heart as it appears to be at least one hundred feet straight down to the water. The reservoir is nestled in a slightly steep canyon at a surface elevation of 1850 feet. From the western put-in the paddle to the headwaters is approximately 3.5 miles one way. Since the western put in is not at the dam itself, the overall length of the reservoir is slightly longer. Along the way several tributaries feed the reservoir including some that just trickle down the granite sides. On my paddle the west end of the reservoir was was perfectly peaceful with only the occasional high altitude airliner to remind you of the modern world. At the far end, which is much easier to access by the public, were some fantastic sand beaches where the river enters the reservoir; however, the noise from ATVs made it less than a desirable place to relax. An interesting sight in the reservoir is a portion of the old Pony Express Trail which in a ghostly way, disappears beneath the water.
Hell Hole Reservoir
This reservoir sits at the northern border of the El Dorado National Forest in the Sierra Nevada and borders the Granite Chief Wilderness on the reservoir's eastern reach. Consisting of a lower and upper portion divided by a narrows, the crescent shaped lake runs roughly east west. It is fed in the upper portion by the Rubicon River and Five Lakes Creek and is dammed at its lower end. Slightly off the beaten path, I found this reservoir and the surrounding area to be teaming with wildlife. I saw two bears, a bald eagle that makes its home in the Upper Hell Hole, snakes, quail, lizards, etc... The paddling is great and the water is fantastically clear but winds can be strong through the valley in the afternoon. On a busy weekend in mid July I found the motorized traffic on the lake to consist of at most eight to ten slow trolling fishing boats spread out over the lakes approximately four mile length, a welcome relief from other area lakes. Camping for me was paddle-in dispersed but there is a small campground at Lower Hell Hole and a hike-in/boat-in campground in Upper Hell Hole. Huge granite boulders ring the reservoir adding to the wonderful scenery. It was well worth the extra travel time.
