MBCKC Paddle Reports

Sunday, June 8 Upper Magnolia River
Led by Nancy Ward
Three people told me I was crazy to schedule a paddle in the afternoon, but seven people showed up. One was new to kayaking and two had new boats they wanted to try out. Everyone appreciated a very relaxing paddle and chance to just fool around plus they agreed that you're much cooler on the water than on land. When we arrived at Rock Street put in at about 1:45 pm there were several cars, people, and boats about. Many were coming in after earlier morning paddles. A grumpy man seemed to be taking pictures via his cell phone and asked one of our group where we were from. We wondered if he was a neighbor who objected to people launching at Rock Street. That IS a public put in. The road leading down to it is on no one's property plus only a canoe or kayak could launch beside that tree. We got onto the water and paddled up stream past the usual big boats at the cold hole. We continued up stream as the river got narrower and narrower; turning around when we could go no further. At our play in the water spot we noticed three kittens in the bushes and gave them part of our snacks. One was bigger and fatter than the others and almost looked eight weeks old. Was he outcompeting for food? The other two were skin and bones and looked to be maybe six weeks old. They were active however. One climbed partway up a tree. We decided we couldn't leave them and put them in our boats. Mr (or Ms) bigger was all over the cockpit of his host kayak. He really had to be watched. His sibling wasn't as lively but moved around. I took a runt I called Mouse into my kayak. Despite being skin and bones it moved and climbed (including up me) until it got onto my dry pack and was able to see over the cockpit. Others said it looked cute to see that little head sticking up watching the river and boaters. It later went behind my seat then went into the bow where it curled up in my pfd and slept for about 1/2 hour. Probably the first time it felt safe in a long while. A woman got hold of her vet via cell phone and was given instructions regarding special food to purchase. Dispite our extra passengers we continued down river until the boundry where boats can make wake. We returned to Rock Street and let the kittens walk up the trail with us to the cars. We hoped they'd get their pooping over with before being put into the back of a car. The woman went to the nearby home of another paddler and borrowed an animal carrier. She planned to take the kittens to her vet's office the next day. I think he's involved with rescue efforts. Pending determination of gender the kittens were named Magnolia, Tampico, and Santee. Nancy Ward