May 2012 / Lake Natoma report

More pic's

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=37852.0;attach=140671;image

Great shot of NCKA's Best!

The weather was great and the facility was laid out and ready to go.  This is the first event I have been involved in where there was staff to assist us.  In fact, it felt a little like going to kayak summer camp.  Frank got through the obstacles and the NCKA volunteers showed up ready for a memorable day.

When the vets arrived they were ready to get on the water. So we started loading them up.  We had two vets that required special attention.  One had a fractured back, with limited mobility.  The other had several cracked vertebrae and nerve damage to his legs.

We got them out and the Sac State staff joined our group with several guides and one power boat. 

We paddled around for about 1.5 hrs and the vet with nerve damage said he couldn't feel his legs, so we got him to shore and then pb took him back. 

The vet with the fractured back was in a tandem and stayed out the entire time.  His wife, a 1st time kayaker, stayed by his side the entire time.   

The VFW fixed lunch.  Served  something they called "pork wings", chili, and cake.  They were quit a group and very dedicated to the vets.  Special thanks to them.

It was a successful day as we got 14 vets out for a day of relaxation.

Thanks to the NCKA members that came. 

NEXT event is Kelsey Ranch. 

Everything was great except for one thing...fish were sparse.  My two vets had been in IED incidents, and had problems with numbness with their lower extremities.  Both hung in their, but it was hard knowing these guys lives will permenatly changed as neither of them will be able to work their old jobs again.  Both of these guys were were recalling times they had spent fishing in Oregon, which is where their National Guard unit was from.  Neither had a great love of seals (hmm, where have I heard that before?).  We had a couple of swimmers, as two people rolled into the water.  Other than that I think it was good time by all.

PROUDNESS......is what comes to my fingers after reading HOW well everyone did. THANKS to all of you who made it happen and thanks for following up here, for the rest of us to see and read. 

Thanks for steppin' up everyone.
Fantastic cause and event.

While my first post did not seem to make it, I will try again.  First Thanks to all you set this HOW event up.  I was very proud and humbled participating in this event.  My two Vets showed me their Honor and Strength, and also showed me that I lack rhythm and singing ability to keep a cadence when paddling, especially while trying to keep tabs on the two. The morning was spent getting to know and trust each other. Spent a lot of time on the radio keeping tabs of one or the other as they love to explore.  They also wanted to FISH, so I broke open what tackle I had and told em' Game On use whatever you can dig out of my last minute tangle of FW Tackle.  No Fish AM but lots of smiles.  After the Great BBQ by the VFW Folks (Thanks, great Pork) They wanted to hit the "Swamp" and Fish.  At times they were like two kids on summer vacation, laughing and yelling especially when the BIG Carp bumped the yaks. Then the next minute they were two of the most serious, focused guys I have been around in a long time, using stealth and sneakiness to drift the shallows of the Swamp hunting Mr LMB.  Saw quite a few fairly large LMB and could watch the follows, but no takers.  All in all a great day.  Photo of of me in my orange OC shaking hands with one my vets.  While they shook my hand (actually nearly crushed it) they thanked me and all the NCKA and SAC folks who made this possible.  I am the one who is truly thankful
RussfromReno

  Photo of of me in my orange OC shaking hands with one my vets.  While they shook my hand (actually nearly crushed it) they thanked me and all the NCKA and SAC folks who made this possible.  I am the one who is truly thankful
RussfromReno

That was the picture of the event!