June 18, 2007
Per request of my lifelong friend, Toby, here's another kayak trip. I will be kayaking Norway Lake. The official name of the lake is Pennesseewassee Lake which means 'sweet water'. But with a name as long as Pennesseewassee, everyone here in Norway, Maine refers to it as Norway Lake. The lake is seven miles long. I don't have the time to go all the way around the perimeter this evening, so I'll concentrate on the southern part of the lake. Here's the track from my Delorme GPS.
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I parked on water street. Before I started kayaking, I walked down to the small dam on the extreme southeast corner of the lake to take this picture.
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Here's my secret launching spot for this lake (which I guess is no longer a secret since I'm posting this on the Internet).
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And I'm off.
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Going under Lake Road.
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Heading up the channel to the lake.
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Through some lilly pads
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The lake opens up a little, but I'm still in an area known as 'the bog'.
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Time to go through a tunnel as I go under Crockett Ridge Road.
I'm always surprised at the large size of some of the boats that manage to fit through this tunnel.
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Now I'm in the main part of the lake.
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Lynn and Madison met me on the other side near the beach area.
I got out of the kayak to stretch a bit and go for a swim. I tried to get Madison to go swimming, but no luck. She loves to lay in the water, but doesn't like to go swimming. The water was cold. I don't think the lakes up here in Maine ever warm up.
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I got back in the kayak and went past the beach area.
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Heading under Waterford Road. This is a tight fit. The kayak makes it fine, but just before I enter the tunnel, I have to turn my long kayak paddle sideways.
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The Lake Store is appropriately named.
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This is a small but nice area of the lake.
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A local family out for a walk.
I went back under Waterford Road into the main part of the lake again.
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Since my kayak is arm powered, I guess I don't need gas.
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I passed an anchored sailboat.
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That's Streaked Mountain in the background.
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Whoever lives here has a gorgeous spot on the lake.
Last year about this time I saw a moose on the lawn by this house. The moose then got in the water and swam across a section of the lake. I was surprised that moose were such good swimmers.
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Heading toward the tunnel that goes under Crockett Ridge Road again.
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There was a good echo in the tunnel. Can anyone here me - me - me - me?
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More wildlife
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This is the back of Boomer's Restaurant which has an outdoor dining area.
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In back of White's marina
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A few ducks gettings some sun
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Back at the dam
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That was refreshing. Thanks for coming along!

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