Berlin Lake, Part Two: Mud Pies or Be Careful Where You Launch During Drawdown Season

9 November 2014

Lake #2 Part Two

Berlin Lake, Southern Portion Where the Mahoning River Feeds It

I felt I had short changed Berlin Lake yesterday out of my fear of getting locked into the campgrounds so I decided to make another try at it, this time checking out the southern edge.  I put in at 40.97422, -81.10610.  There is a large area for parking which was big enough for me to turn the trailer around but no restrooms.  Access is just north of Alliance, Ohio, off Price Road NE, just west of Union Avenue NE, 1/4 mile west of the Barber Airport.  Due to the drawdown the start of the water was some distance from the gravel area of the parking lot.  This was not an issue in terms of carrying the kayak but of sinking in the mud left behind.  I sunk past my ankles in the mud and was afraid that I might lose a shoe.  Since I was already muddy and more than half way to the water I decided to keep on going.  Luckily, I made it to the water with both shoes still attached to my feet.

Like the northern end of the lake, there were many exposed mudflats that attract shorebirds.

Southern part of Berlin Lake

I found the scenery in the southern part of the lake to be much prettier than the area around the campground boat launch site from the previous day.  I was glad that I had decided to give Berlin another try.  Yesterday, I had not come up for a good name for Berlin Lake's duck but I knew what I was going to call it now - "Muddy."

Berlin Lake's baby duck "Muddy"

Most of the mud washed off during kayaking only to be reapplied on the way back to the car

I had thought about trying to kayak another lake after Berlin but I was covered in mud, my clothes were covered in mud, and all my kayaking gear was covered in mud.  Luckily, I had backup clothes and an extra trash bag in the car that I was able to put all my muddy clothes in.  I cleaned up myself as best I could with wet wipes and decided to call it a day.  I now make sure that I always have extra trash bags and plenty of wet wipes in the car for whatever may come up.

Lake Milton: Gratitude

8 November 2014

Lake #3    Lake Milton, Lake Milton State Park, Mahoning County

After my morning kayak at Berlin Lake,  I drove to Lake Milton looking for possible put in locations.  As I was doing that I realized that I was quite hungry.  There were few dining options around; I chose Gionino's Pizzeria.  My husband and I shared a deluxe sub and lasagna which were pretty good and reasonably priced (we were also very hungry, cold, and didn't have many options-so keep that in mind).  The best thing about Gionino's was the waitress/cashier Becca, who was so sweet I decided to name Lake Milton's duck in her honor.  I told her about my BHAG and my blog project and she happily posed for a picture.

Gionino's Pizzeria, 17606 Mahoning Avenue

Becca

There wasn't a very large parking area at the restaurant so I parked across the street at what has to be about the smallest park I have ever seen.  Luckily, it was off season so my car and trailer could take up the entire parking lot.

The gazebo would probably be a nice place to sit and look at the lake in much different weather.  It was 32 degrees and very windy when I was there.  I walked out to the end, looked at the water, and practically ran back to the car.

Lake Milton must have been a fun place to hang out at during the early 20th century when it had an amusement park at Craig's Beach and taverns, a dance hall, and a skating rink on the east side of the lake.  My visit wasn't quite the fun I had hoped for but it was still enjoyable (any time kayaking is a good time).  The lake was already drawn down about 6 of its planned 8 feet for the winter.  The state posts the lake drawdown schedule on its website at parks.ohiodnr.gov.  I ended up putting in at the Pointview Launch Ramp.  The two best things about this launch area were that the parking lot had lights (really came in handy as it got dark while I was packing up at the end of the day) and a restroom (it is so much more fun to put a wetsuit, base layer, etc. on in a restroom than outside huddled by the car).

It was still windy but the water was not as choppy as it had been at Berlin Lake so off I went in search of adventure with my baby duck Becca.

  
Sometimes you have to search for something interesting and be open to whatever may come your way.  I was paddling slowly along shore when I spotted a deer coming down to the lake.  I stopped paddling and quietly watched.  I felt so thankful in that moment that I was able to be on the water even though paddling conditions were not optimal.  I was so content in the moment that I forgot to take a picture.  It is through moments like that that this BHAG will help me rediscover myself and find happiness.  While kayaking I came across a private dock that mother nature had decided to take out.  It made me laugh.  I also got to have a private air show from a small plane that was trying out its moves above the lake.  So even though the lake had been drawn down, the scenery was gloomy, and the weather was cold and windy, I had a great time out on the lake and just made it back to shore as the sun was going down.

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul."  Harold Kushner

Berlin Lake: Chasing the Gulls

8 November 2014

Lake #2    Berlin Lake, Stark, Mahoning, and Portage Counties

After successfully purchasing new gloves, I was off to kayak the second lake of my BHAG project.  Berlin Lake is the fifth-largest inland lake in Ohio at around 4,000 acres.  Berlin Lake began as a back-up reservoir for nearby Lake Milton (which is next on my list).  The 18-mile long reservoir was not looking too pretty on the day I kayaked.  The lake had been drawn down (about 6 feet) already in preparation for winter's anticipated snowfall.  I put in at the campground boat launch at 41.00672, -81.00360 which is accessible through the Mill Creek Recreation area.  Take Bedell Road south from US-224 (Akron-Canfield Road) to Berlin Station Road and go west.  There was a portable sign with do not enter at the gate but the gate was open so being stubborn and on a schedule I entered.  There was a restroom but it was locked up for the season.  There was a fee collection box with instructions to pay $3.00 to park at the boat launch but it was locked up as well.  Given this I probably should have looked for another put in spot but I continued on my mission.

With the water level down there were many exposed mudflats that the gulls were taking advantage of.  

The four most common gull species that we have in Ohio are Bonaparte's Gull, the Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull.  I am just starting to get into birding as a result of my kayaking.  The birds I see when I am out on the water bring me great joy, this is even more true now that the weather is not so nice and the scenery is lacking.  To be honest I am not sure what kind of gulls these are, like I said I am just learning.  If you know please email me and I will share the information.

After kayaking for about an hour the wind started to really pick up and the water became quite choppy so I headed back to the boat launch area.  As I was getting ready to leave the lake, a fisherman came along (the only other person around) and asked how I was able to launch from the campground.  He explained that the campground launch area is only open Memorial Day through Labor Day when the campground is open.  Oops, ok I had already figured out that I probably wasn't suppose to be there.  He gave me information about the Bonner Road boat launch site which was where he put in.  I then started to worry (a little) that I would get locked in the campground.  Luckily, the gate was still open so off I went to find the Bonner Road boat launch.  The Bonner Road boat launch is located at 41.03620, -81.00993.  It is open year round and has no restroom.  It is located near the dam east of Deerfield on Bonner Road approximately 1/4 mile south of Mahoning Road.

The water was still looking choppy so I decided to head to Milton Lake to see if it was looking any better.

Paddling Warm and Avoiding Hypothermia

8 November 2014

Boardman, Mahoning County

My clothing for yesterday's 20 degree paddle worked well except for my gloves.  The NRS Hydroskin gloves that I had purchased at REI for $39.95 did not keep my fingers warm or dry so I went on the web searching for a sporting goods store nearby where I could buy new gloves.  I lucked out and found that there was a store ten minutes away from my hotel.  I was at Outdoor Recreational Equipment when they opened.  I loved this store.  It is a stand alone independent shop with a huge selection of kayaking equipment and a great staff.  My husband and I bought Hanz Thermal Level H2 waterproof gloves at $39.99 each and my husband also bought Manuela Ultra Max Warm Lightweight Glove Liners for $19.95.  I already had REI TC Liner Basic Hand Gloves that I had purchased for $19.50.  We also bought two paddle leashes that I had wanted but no one else had in stock (they really come in handy when you are trying to take pictures).  My husband also bought some additional base layer pieces.

Hypothermia
There are 2 basic types of hypothermia: type A exposure and type B immersion.  Kayaking when the air temperature is 20 degrees is obviously a threat of type A.  Capsizing into 50 degree water can cause type B:  water draws heat from the body 25 times faster than air.  This is a threat that I have not taken lightly when planning my BHAG project.  I never under any circumstances paddle without my PFD.  I also will not be doing any cold weather paddling alone.  My husband has been dragged into this project for the "fun" winter months.  In a perfect paddling in winter world I would wear a drysuit to protect me in case of water entry but drysuits are extremely expensive (starting at $1,000) and very cumbersome out of the water.  The next best choice from a prevent hypothermia stand point is a wetsuit (which my husband wears).  Here is a sore point for me.  Sporting goods manufacturers do not think that anyone over a size 14 "wants or should" wear a wetsuit.  I tried several different brands and sizes and none of them fit correctly.  I am also cursed with only being 5'4" tall so when I found wetsuits that were large enough around they were about a foot too long.  Therefore, I am cold water kayaking without a wetsuit.  I am only kayaking flat water and I take along safety supplies.  Like I said, I always wear my PFD and always kayak with a partner.  I have a space blanket, an emergency kit (which includes fire starting material),  a beach towel, a complete outfit of back up clothing, and a hot beverage.

What We Wear Cold Water Paddling
REI Midweight Base Layer and Patagonia 4 capilene expedition base layer
Wool socks
NRS Women's Carolina Pants and NRS men's paddling pants
Stan (husband) wetsuit purchased at Aquatic Adventures in Hilliard, Ohio
Two thermal tops over base layer or wetsuit
NRS Men's Endurance Jacket
Seirus Hoodz 3 in one relaxed fit hood ($24.95 at REI) (I like this because you can wear it loose or tighten it as the wind picks up); Stan wears a Seirus Combo Clava with a neofleece facemask
Glove Liners - Stan wears Manzella ultra max warm lightweight glove liners which help keep his fingers warm but are not touch screen friendly/I wear REI TC liner gloves which work with a touch screen so I can keep my liners on when I am taking photos with my iPhone 6 Plus
Gloves - Hanz thermal level H2 waterproof gloves; they really are waterproof so you can use your hands for pushing off shore and they are still warm
Our very favorite clothing items are our NRS neoprene paddle shoes - we cannot imagine paddling without them - they keep our feet dry and warm (we also look like batman or the creature from the black lagoon when we are wearing them - so cool)