Annapolis Wherry Tandem Log book - Revision history

RPellessier: /* April */

2026-04-10T06:07:31Z

April

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:07, 9 April 2026
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	=== April ===		=== April ===
	April X,		April 9, 2026.With Staci as passenger at Lake Martin. Left farmhouse about 5:40, arrived at Lake Martin to see about four St Martin Parish Sheriff’s (since 1813!) cars and 3 boats. They were providing escorts or security for a movie film crew filming “Ally Creek.” Saw an alligator 50 yards north of the landing. Rowed north until clear of the movie operation, then west across the lake. Turned on GPS, it indicated 5.7 mph during fastest part of the stroke cycle, about 2.4 mph during the slowest part. Saw probable roseate spoonbills high above the west side of the Lake, but did not see much color. Saw osprey flying and anhinga or cormorants drying their wings. One cormorant was perched 30’ high in a tree, with wings outstretched as if flying. Returned to the landing; talked to St.Martin Parish sheriffs afloat about the slowness of providing movie security. Met Ted and Candy(?) Spillers at the dock, with their two small poodles. As we left we saw a Great Egret south of the landing with a smaller heron behind it, possibly a juvenile first summer yellow crowned night heron.

RPellessier: /* March */

2026-03-31T12:48:36Z

March

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:48, 31 March 2026
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	March 28, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Left Farmhouse about 6 pm, was rowing by about 6:45 pm. Tested red handled oars with about 1.25” shorter handles. Seemed to fit and row well. Oar setting felt good and was in close agreement with “With Two Oars” book, handle tips were about 8” apart when touching torso with legs and back straight, torso vertical, oars at natural flotation depth. Pulled out at normal speed, was only about one half way across lake when I saw Ted Spillers returning to landing from other direction. Pulled hard and fast in a failed attempt to catch him. Loaded and unloaded Oscar from bank with voice command. Visited Ted, he suggested we take our wives out to eat. Ted had a couple of coats of paint on his Colin Angus Cambridge(?) Racer.		March 28, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Left Farmhouse about 6 pm, was rowing by about 6:45 pm. Tested red handled oars with about 1.25” shorter handles. Seemed to fit and row well. Oar setting felt good and was in close agreement with “With Two Oars” book, handle tips were about 8” apart when touching torso with legs and back straight, torso vertical, oars at natural flotation depth. Pulled out at normal speed, was only about one half way across lake when I saw Ted Spillers returning to landing from other direction. Pulled hard and fast in a failed attempt to catch him. Loaded and unloaded Oscar from bank with voice command. Visited Ted, he suggested we take our wives out to eat. Ted had a couple of coats of paint on his Colin Angus Cambridge(?) Racer.

	March 30, 2026. With Fr. Steven Pellessier at Lake Martin. Steven had experience on rowing machines. He rowed so hard and fast that the boat was slowing on his recovery. It felt weird, you could feel it in your seat. Lots of osprey and alligators, and a snake up on the side of a tree. Steven recommended Cafe Sydney Mae in Breaux Bridge.		March 30, 2026. With Fr. Steven Pellessier at Lake Martin. Steven had experience on rowing machines. He rowed so hard and fast that the boat was slowing on his recovery. It felt weird, you could feel it in your seat. Rowed around circumference of the lake. Lots of osprey and alligators, and a snake up on the side of a tree. Steven recommended Cafe Sydney Mae in Breaux Bridge.

			=== April ===
			April X,

RPellessier: /* March */

2026-03-31T05:25:56Z

March

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 30 March 2026
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	March 28, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Left Farmhouse about 6 pm, was rowing by about 6:45 pm. Tested red handled oars with about 1.25” shorter handles. Seemed to fit and row well. Oar setting felt good and was in close agreement with “With Two Oars” book, handle tips were about 8” apart when touching torso with legs and back straight, torso vertical, oars at natural flotation depth. Pulled out at normal speed, was only about one half way across lake when I saw Ted Spillers returning to landing from other direction. Pulled hard and fast in a failed attempt to catch him. Loaded and unloaded Oscar from bank with voice command. Visited Ted, he suggested we take our wives out to eat. Ted had a couple of coats of paint on his Colin Angus Cambridge(?) Racer.		March 28, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Left Farmhouse about 6 pm, was rowing by about 6:45 pm. Tested red handled oars with about 1.25” shorter handles. Seemed to fit and row well. Oar setting felt good and was in close agreement with “With Two Oars” book, handle tips were about 8” apart when touching torso with legs and back straight, torso vertical, oars at natural flotation depth. Pulled out at normal speed, was only about one half way across lake when I saw Ted Spillers returning to landing from other direction. Pulled hard and fast in a failed attempt to catch him. Loaded and unloaded Oscar from bank with voice command. Visited Ted, he suggested we take our wives out to eat. Ted had a couple of coats of paint on his Colin Angus Cambridge(?) Racer.

			March 30, 2026. With Fr. Steven Pellessier at Lake Martin. Steven had experience on rowing machines. He rowed so hard and fast that the boat was slowing on his recovery. It felt weird, you could feel it in your seat. Lots of osprey and alligators, and a snake up on the side of a tree. Steven recommended Cafe Sydney Mae in Breaux Bridge.

RPellessier: /* March */

2026-03-29T22:38:51Z

March

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 29 March 2026
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	March 22, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Windy, from the west. The launch was difficult, so I tied up the boat on the cross pier, and dropped Oscar into it from the dock. The wind made the east side choppy, so I pulled hard, all of the way across the lake to the west side without stopping. Pulled close to the western shore and Oscar jumped in, mistaking the weedy edge for solid ground. He finally got back in the boat, muddy and half black. Rowed back and went home. Saw ospreys, a large flock of roseate spoonbills, and several black bellied whistling ducks. Discussed oar and rigger fit with Ted Spillers, should probably adjust oar stop position for more oar outboard.		March 22, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Windy, from the west. The launch was difficult, so I tied up the boat on the cross pier, and dropped Oscar into it from the dock. The wind made the east side choppy, so I pulled hard, all of the way across the lake to the west side without stopping. Pulled close to the western shore and Oscar jumped in, mistaking the weedy edge for solid ground. He finally got back in the boat, muddy and half black. Rowed back and went home. Saw ospreys, a large flock of roseate spoonbills, and several black bellied whistling ducks. Discussed oar and rigger fit with Ted Spillers, should probably adjust oar stop position for more oar outboard.

			March 28, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Left Farmhouse about 6 pm, was rowing by about 6:45 pm. Tested red handled oars with about 1.25” shorter handles. Seemed to fit and row well. Oar setting felt good and was in close agreement with “With Two Oars” book, handle tips were about 8” apart when touching torso with legs and back straight, torso vertical, oars at natural flotation depth. Pulled out at normal speed, was only about one half way across lake when I saw Ted Spillers returning to landing from other direction. Pulled hard and fast in a failed attempt to catch him. Loaded and unloaded Oscar from bank with voice command. Visited Ted, he suggested we take our wives out to eat. Ted had a couple of coats of paint on his Colin Angus Cambridge(?) Racer.

RPellessier: /* March */

2026-03-23T03:38:15Z

March

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 22 March 2026
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	March 17, 2026, St Patrick’s Day. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Lost trailer license plate on the drive to the lake. Submerged trailer too deep and upper set of lights failed. Rowed around lake clockwise. Rowed distance was roughly 2 miles. Saw swimming alligator, swimming birds submerged up to the neck, birds drying outstretched wings, and many Osprey. Looked closely at a well camouflaged duck blind on the north part of the lake. Talked briefly to Gil Mayeux about his 1967 Boston Whaler on its fourth motor and his trolling motor mounted above his gas outboard.		March 17, 2026, St Patrick’s Day. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Lost trailer license plate on the drive to the lake. Submerged trailer too deep and upper set of lights failed. Rowed around lake clockwise. Rowed distance was roughly 2 miles. Saw swimming alligator, swimming birds submerged up to the neck, birds drying outstretched wings, and many Osprey. Looked closely at a well camouflaged duck blind on the north part of the lake. Talked briefly to Gil Mayeux about his 1967 Boston Whaler on its fourth motor and his trolling motor mounted above his gas outboard.

			March 22, 2026. Took Oscar to Lake Martin. Windy, from the west. The launch was difficult, so I tied up the boat on the cross pier, and dropped Oscar into it from the dock. The wind made the east side choppy, so I pulled hard, all of the way across the lake to the west side without stopping. Pulled close to the western shore and Oscar jumped in, mistaking the weedy edge for solid ground. He finally got back in the boat, muddy and half black. Rowed back and went home. Saw ospreys, a large flock of roseate spoonbills, and several black bellied whistling ducks. Discussed oar and rigger fit with Ted Spillers, should probably adjust oar stop position for more oar outboard.

RPellessier: /* March */

2026-03-18T03:04:48Z

March

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:04, 17 March 2026
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	===March===		===March===
	March 13, 2026, Friday the Thirteenth. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Light winds, about 74 degrees, paused in the shade a few times. Rowed halfway around lake, clockwise, then rowed across the width of the lake to the landing. Saw a pair of white ibis and a great egret south of the landing. Saw a large swimming alligator on the west side of the lake. Tried rowing with straight arms. It was a good change of pace, forcing me to focus on reach and leg coiling, but not sure if this is good form. Oscar felt the boat was rocking too much; I felt the boat was fast, but jerky. Did not mount the oars to start; I used an oar as a paddle to move away from landing and mounted oars after moving away from the landing. Approached landing stern first, Oscar jumped out on command and ran and stood on the pier while I brought the boat to the pier and moored it. Then he heeled unleashed while we walked across the parking lot to the car!		March 13, 2026, Friday the Thirteenth. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Light winds, about 74 degrees, paused in the shade a few times. Rowed halfway around lake, clockwise, then rowed across the width of the lake to the landing. Saw a pair of white ibis and a great egret south of the landing. Saw a large swimming alligator on the west side of the lake. Tried rowing with straight arms. It was a good change of pace, forcing me to focus on reach and leg coiling, but not sure if this is good form. Oscar felt the boat was rocking too much; I felt the boat was fast, but jerky. Did not mount the oars to start; I used an oar as a paddle to move away from landing and mounted oars after moving away from the landing. Approached landing stern first, Oscar jumped out on command and ran and stood on the pier while I brought the boat to the pier and moored it. Then he heeled unleashed while we walked across the parking lot to the car!

			March 17, 2026, St Patrick’s Day. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Lost trailer license plate on the drive to the lake. Submerged trailer too deep and upper set of lights failed. Rowed around lake clockwise. Rowed distance was roughly 2 miles. Saw swimming alligator, swimming birds submerged up to the neck, birds drying outstretched wings, and many Osprey. Looked closely at a well camouflaged duck blind on the north part of the lake. Talked briefly to Gil Mayeux about his 1967 Boston Whaler on its fourth motor and his trolling motor mounted above his gas outboard.

RPellessier: /* March */

2026-03-14T13:50:15Z

March

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:50, 14 March 2026
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	Annapolis Wherry Tandem Log Book		Annapolis Wherry Tandem Log Book

	Richard Pellessier		Richard Pellessier

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	===March===		===March===
	March 13, 2026, Friday the Thirteenth. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Rowed halfway around lake, clockwise, then rowed across to ~~finish~~. Saw a pair of white ibis and a great egret south of the landing. Saw a large swimming alligator on the west side of the lake. Tried rowing with straight arms. It was a good change of pace, forcing me to focus on reach and leg coiling, but not sure if this is good form. Oscar felt the boat was rocking too much; I felt the boat was fast, but jerky. ~~Light winds, about 74 degrees, paused in the shade a few times.~~ Did not mount oars to start; used an oar as a paddle to move away from landing and mounted oars after moving away from the landing. Approached landing stern first, Oscar jumped out on command and ran and stood on the pier while I brought boat to pier and moored it. Then he heeled unleashed while we walked across the parking lot to the car!		March 13, 2026, Friday the Thirteenth. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Light winds, about 74 degrees, paused in the shade a few times. Rowed halfway around lake, clockwise, then rowed across the width of the lake to the landing. Saw a pair of white ibis and a great egret south of the landing. Saw a large swimming alligator on the west side of the lake. Tried rowing with straight arms. It was a good change of pace, forcing me to focus on reach and leg coiling, but not sure if this is good form. Oscar felt the boat was rocking too much; I felt the boat was fast, but jerky. Did not mount the oars to start; I used an oar as a paddle to move away from landing and mounted oars after moving away from the landing. Approached landing stern first, Oscar jumped out on command and ran and stood on the pier while I brought the boat to the pier and moored it. Then he heeled unleashed while we walked across the parking lot to the car!

RPellessier: Add headers

2026-03-14T13:45:27Z

Add headers

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:45, 14 March 2026
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	Annapolis Wherry Tandem Log Book		Annapolis Wherry Tandem Log Book

	Richard Pellessier		Richard Pellessier

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			==2025==
			===April===
	April 11, 2025. Maiden voyage. With Staci at Lake Martin. Talked with people at the landing who wanted to admire the beautiful wooden boat. Met Ted Spillers, who keeps several boats in a hangar near the Lake Martin landing. Found rowing to be difficult. Ted offered rowing suggestions and advised practice. Saw Black Bellied Whistling ducks.		April 11, 2025. Maiden voyage. With Staci at Lake Martin. Talked with people at the landing who wanted to admire the beautiful wooden boat. Met Ted Spillers, who keeps several boats in a hangar near the Lake Martin landing. Found rowing to be difficult. Ted offered rowing suggestions and advised practice. Saw Black Bellied Whistling ducks.

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	April 15, 2025. Stored boat upside down by hanging from rafters in the farmhouse garage.		April 15, 2025. Stored boat upside down by hanging from rafters in the farmhouse garage.

			===November===

	November 25, 2025. Took boat down from storage with assistance from Maurice Martin and placed it on trailer.		November 25, 2025. Took boat down from storage with assistance from Maurice Martin and placed it on trailer.
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	Took Tracy rowing. Suggested that learning how to catch and recover oars was more important when learning than pulling on them. This seemed to be good advice, Tracy was very smooth. Saw and photographed a White Ibis feeding from shore.		Took Tracy rowing. Suggested that learning how to catch and recover oars was more important when learning than pulling on them. This seemed to be good advice, Tracy was very smooth. Saw and photographed a White Ibis feeding from shore.

			===December===
	December 7, 2025. With Staci at Lake Martin. Staci practiced oar feathering from the bow seat. I got my feet wet in 18” boots while launching. Might need waders or wet sandals. Solo launching in trailer’s current configuration would be difficult. I got help from two Indian fellows to put the boat back on the trailer.		December 7, 2025. With Staci at Lake Martin. Staci practiced oar feathering from the bow seat. I got my feet wet in 18” boots while launching. Might need waders or wet sandals. Solo launching in trailer’s current configuration would be difficult. I got help from two Indian fellows to put the boat back on the trailer.

	Longest row yet. Saw lots of Great Egrets and a few Great Blue Herons. Two blinds were being used by duck hunters, did not hear any shots. Saw a curious activity by dozens of waterfowl flapping loudly without taking off, like they were trying to make a disturbance in the water on the north west side. Saw a flock of a dozen ducks, maybe teal, but they were not interested in the many dozens of decoys the hunters were showing them. Saw a brownish bird something like an ibis, walking on the shore near the landing. When leaving saw a Pileated Woodpecker. Brownish bird turned out to be a Limpkin, a fairly recent immigrant to Louisiana.		Longest row yet. Saw lots of Great Egrets and a few Great Blue Herons. Two blinds were being used by duck hunters, did not hear any shots. Saw a curious activity by dozens of waterfowl flapping loudly without taking off, like they were trying to make a disturbance in the water on the north west side. Saw a flock of a dozen ducks, maybe teal, but they were not interested in the many dozens of decoys the hunters were showing them. Saw a brownish bird something like an ibis, walking on the shore near the landing. When leaving saw a Pileated Woodpecker. Brownish bird turned out to be a Limpkin, a fairly recent immigrant to Louisiana.

			==2026==
			===January===
	January 7, 2026. With Oscar at Lake Martin. Rowed across Lake Martin to other side. Saw a Bald Eagle, and a Greenwing Teal. Saw a tornado of soaring birds in the direction of Anse La Butte to the north. Rumors of good fishing, there were about 8 trailers at the landing, a guy said the fish were biting.		January 7, 2026. With Oscar at Lake Martin. Rowed across Lake Martin to other side. Saw a Bald Eagle, and a Greenwing Teal. Saw a tornado of soaring birds in the direction of Anse La Butte to the north. Rumors of good fishing, there were about 8 trailers at the landing, a guy said the fish were biting.

	January 16, 2026. Rich, Staci, Oscar and Tater at Lake Martin. Ate at St. Johns Restaurant in St. Martinville before going to Lake Martin. Heard of another wooden rowboat in New Iberia. Conditions were windy with waves. Boat performed well with heaviest loading yet. Staci used her cane chair and liked it.		January 16, 2026. Rich, Staci, Oscar and Tater at Lake Martin. Ate at St. Johns Restaurant in St. Martinville before going to Lake Martin. Heard of another wooden rowboat in New Iberia. Conditions were windy with waves. Boat performed well with heaviest loading yet. Staci used her cane chair and liked it.

			===February===
	February 2, 2026. Oscar and Rich at Lake Martin. Saw Ted Spillers at his hangar, went and chatted. Ted and his son, Aaron, were working on a 6 cylinder Honda motorcycle. Ted has started a stitch and glue "Chesapeake Racer," a narrow racing shell. Rowed across Lake Martin and back, had rowing station in the forward position and Oscar on the back deck. Not enough weight to keep the skeg down in the water, boat had a tendency to fishtail or wander. Saw a Great Egret and possibly a bald eagle. Saw several cormorants. When loading boat onto trailer I talked with a fellow who was loading several dozen decoys. He said he was picking up the decoys for the season, the season ended Saturday. He commented that it was the worst season he's ever had.		February 2, 2026. Oscar and Rich at Lake Martin. Saw Ted Spillers at his hangar, went and chatted. Ted and his son, Aaron, were working on a 6 cylinder Honda motorcycle. Ted has started a stitch and glue "Chesapeake Racer," a narrow racing shell. Rowed across Lake Martin and back, had rowing station in the forward position and Oscar on the back deck. Not enough weight to keep the skeg down in the water, boat had a tendency to fishtail or wander. Saw a Great Egret and possibly a bald eagle. Saw several cormorants. When loading boat onto trailer I talked with a fellow who was loading several dozen decoys. He said he was picking up the decoys for the season, the season ended Saturday. He commented that it was the worst season he's ever had.

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	February 17, 2026, Mardi Gras Day. At Lake Martin. Saw 20+ boat trailers and huge parking lot overflow. Fishermen we talked to were catching bass. Rowed with Dolly, Rick Hermann accompanied us in his kayak. Rowed perimeter of Lake Martin, longest row so far, about 1.5 hours of continuous rowing. Saw several nesting Osprey. Saw Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, small alligators. Noted barrels nailed up in trees, probably hunting blinds. I saw a fast moving small duck, perhaps a Teal or Wood Duck but couldn't positively identify. Dolly saw a Whistling Tree Duck. Dolly had some trouble adapting to rowing, no more than I had on my first attempt. She resisted using the sliding seat at first, after beginning to use it, she felt it made a big difference. That suggests that it is probably best if I don't tell beginning rowers to just row with straight legs. Introduced Dolly and Rick to Ted Spillers after the row; I gave Ted some plastic cups for mixing epoxy for his upcoming project. On the drive back Dolly showed me Big Nanaan's house, still standing on Rees Street.		February 17, 2026, Mardi Gras Day. At Lake Martin. Saw 20+ boat trailers and huge parking lot overflow. Fishermen we talked to were catching bass. Rowed with Dolly, Rick Hermann accompanied us in his kayak. Rowed perimeter of Lake Martin, longest row so far, about 1.5 hours of continuous rowing. Saw several nesting Osprey. Saw Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, small alligators. Noted barrels nailed up in trees, probably hunting blinds. I saw a fast moving small duck, perhaps a Teal or Wood Duck but couldn't positively identify. Dolly saw a Whistling Tree Duck. Dolly had some trouble adapting to rowing, no more than I had on my first attempt. She resisted using the sliding seat at first, after beginning to use it, she felt it made a big difference. That suggests that it is probably best if I don't tell beginning rowers to just row with straight legs. Introduced Dolly and Rick to Ted Spillers after the row; I gave Ted some plastic cups for mixing epoxy for his upcoming project. On the drive back Dolly showed me Big Nanaan's house, still standing on Rees Street.

			===March===
	March 13, 2026, Friday the Thirteenth. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Rowed halfway around lake, clockwise, then rowed across to finish. Saw a pair of white ibis and a great egret south of the landing. Saw a large swimming alligator on the west side of the lake. Tried rowing with straight arms. It was a good change of pace, forcing me to focus on reach and leg coiling, but not sure if this is good form. Oscar felt the boat was rocking too much; I felt the boat was fast, but jerky. Light winds, about 74 degrees, paused in the shade a few times. Did not mount oars to start; used an oar as a paddle to move away from landing and mounted oars after moving away from the landing. Approached landing stern first, Oscar jumped out on command and ran and stood on the pier while I brought boat to pier and moored it. Then he heeled unleashed while we walked across the parking lot to the car!		March 13, 2026, Friday the Thirteenth. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Rowed halfway around lake, clockwise, then rowed across to finish. Saw a pair of white ibis and a great egret south of the landing. Saw a large swimming alligator on the west side of the lake. Tried rowing with straight arms. It was a good change of pace, forcing me to focus on reach and leg coiling, but not sure if this is good form. Oscar felt the boat was rocking too much; I felt the boat was fast, but jerky. Light winds, about 74 degrees, paused in the shade a few times. Did not mount oars to start; used an oar as a paddle to move away from landing and mounted oars after moving away from the landing. Approached landing stern first, Oscar jumped out on command and ran and stood on the pier while I brought boat to pier and moored it. Then he heeled unleashed while we walked across the parking lot to the car!

RPellessier at 22:58, 13 March 2026

2026-03-13T22:58:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 13 March 2026
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	February 17, 2026, Mardi Gras Day. At Lake Martin. Saw 20+ boat trailers and huge parking lot overflow. Fishermen we talked to were catching bass. Rowed with Dolly, Rick Hermann accompanied us in his kayak. Rowed perimeter of Lake Martin, longest row so far, about 1.5 hours of continuous rowing. Saw several nesting Osprey. Saw Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, small alligators. Noted barrels nailed up in trees, probably hunting blinds. I saw a fast moving small duck, perhaps a Teal or Wood Duck but couldn't positively identify. Dolly saw a Whistling Tree Duck. Dolly had some trouble adapting to rowing, no more than I had on my first attempt. She resisted using the sliding seat at first, after beginning to use it, she felt it made a big difference. That suggests that it is probably best if I don't tell beginning rowers to just row with straight legs. Introduced Dolly and Rick to Ted Spillers after the row; I gave Ted some plastic cups for mixing epoxy for his upcoming project. On the drive back Dolly showed me Big Nanaan's house, still standing on Rees Street.		February 17, 2026, Mardi Gras Day. At Lake Martin. Saw 20+ boat trailers and huge parking lot overflow. Fishermen we talked to were catching bass. Rowed with Dolly, Rick Hermann accompanied us in his kayak. Rowed perimeter of Lake Martin, longest row so far, about 1.5 hours of continuous rowing. Saw several nesting Osprey. Saw Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, small alligators. Noted barrels nailed up in trees, probably hunting blinds. I saw a fast moving small duck, perhaps a Teal or Wood Duck but couldn't positively identify. Dolly saw a Whistling Tree Duck. Dolly had some trouble adapting to rowing, no more than I had on my first attempt. She resisted using the sliding seat at first, after beginning to use it, she felt it made a big difference. That suggests that it is probably best if I don't tell beginning rowers to just row with straight legs. Introduced Dolly and Rick to Ted Spillers after the row; I gave Ted some plastic cups for mixing epoxy for his upcoming project. On the drive back Dolly showed me Big Nanaan's house, still standing on Rees Street.

			March 13, 2026, Friday the Thirteenth. At Lake Martin with Oscar. Rowed halfway around lake, clockwise, then rowed across to finish. Saw a pair of white ibis and a great egret south of the landing. Saw a large swimming alligator on the west side of the lake. Tried rowing with straight arms. It was a good change of pace, forcing me to focus on reach and leg coiling, but not sure if this is good form. Oscar felt the boat was rocking too much; I felt the boat was fast, but jerky. Light winds, about 74 degrees, paused in the shade a few times. Did not mount oars to start; used an oar as a paddle to move away from landing and mounted oars after moving away from the landing. Approached landing stern first, Oscar jumped out on command and ran and stood on the pier while I brought boat to pier and moored it. Then he heeled unleashed while we walked across the parking lot to the car!

RPellessier at 15:42, 19 February 2026

2026-02-19T15:42:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:42, 19 February 2026
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	December 7, 2025. With Staci at Lake Martin. Staci practiced oar feathering from the bow seat. I got my feet wet in 18” boots while launching. Might need waders or wet sandals. Solo launching in trailer’s current configuration would be difficult. I got help from two Indian fellows to put the boat back on the trailer.		December 7, 2025. With Staci at Lake Martin. Staci practiced oar feathering from the bow seat. I got my feet wet in 18” boots while launching. Might need waders or wet sandals. Solo launching in trailer’s current configuration would be difficult. I got help from two Indian fellows to put the boat back on the trailer.

	Longest row yet. Saw lots of Great Egrets and a few Great Blue Herons. Two blinds were being used by duck hunters, did not hear any shots. Saw a curious activity by dozens of waterfowl flapping loudly without taking off, like they were trying to make a disturbance in the water on the north west side. Saw a flock of a dozen ducks, maybe teal, but they were not interested in the many dozens of decoys the hunters were showing them. Saw a brownish bird something like an ibis, walking on the shore near the landing. When leaving saw a Pileated Woodpecker. Brownish bird turned out to be a ~~limpkin~~, a fairly recent immigrant to Louisiana.		Longest row yet. Saw lots of Great Egrets and a few Great Blue Herons. Two blinds were being used by duck hunters, did not hear any shots. Saw a curious activity by dozens of waterfowl flapping loudly without taking off, like they were trying to make a disturbance in the water on the north west side. Saw a flock of a dozen ducks, maybe teal, but they were not interested in the many dozens of decoys the hunters were showing them. Saw a brownish bird something like an ibis, walking on the shore near the landing. When leaving saw a Pileated Woodpecker. Brownish bird turned out to be a Limpkin, a fairly recent immigrant to Louisiana.

	January 7, 2026. With Oscar at Lake Martin. Rowed across Lake Martin to other side. Saw a Bald Eagle, and a Greenwing Teal. Saw a tornado of soaring birds in the direction of Anse La Butte to the north. Rumors of good fishing, there were about 8 trailers at the landing, a guy said the fish were biting.		January 7, 2026. With Oscar at Lake Martin. Rowed across Lake Martin to other side. Saw a Bald Eagle, and a Greenwing Teal. Saw a tornado of soaring birds in the direction of Anse La Butte to the north. Rumors of good fishing, there were about 8 trailers at the landing, a guy said the fish were biting.
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	February 10, 2026. With Howard Martin at Lake Martin. Saw a very large alligator in NE of Lake, osprey on nest, cormorants. Saw Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. Enjoyed a long, strong, row, and Howard and I told lots of stories. Left farmhouse at 9:20 am, had no traffic and very fast travel to lake. Had launched boat before Howard arrived at 10.		February 10, 2026. With Howard Martin at Lake Martin. Saw a very large alligator in NE of Lake, osprey on nest, cormorants. Saw Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. Enjoyed a long, strong, row, and Howard and I told lots of stories. Left farmhouse at 9:20 am, had no traffic and very fast travel to lake. Had launched boat before Howard arrived at 10.

	February 17, 2026. At Lake Martin. Rowed with Dolly, Rick Hermann accompanied us in his kayak. Rowed perimeter of Lake Martin, longest row so far, about 1.5 hours of continuous rowing. Saw several nesting Osprey. Saw Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, small alligators. Noted barrels nailed up in trees, probably hunting blinds. I saw a fast moving small duck, perhaps a ~~teal~~ or Wood Duck but couldn't positively identify. Dolly saw a ~~whistling tree duck~~. Dolly had some trouble adapting to rowing, no more than I had on my first attempt. She resisted using the sliding seat at first, after beginning to use it, she felt it made a big difference. That suggests that it is probably best if I don't tell beginning rowers to just row with straight legs. Introduced Dolly and Rick to Ted Spillers after the row; I gave Ted some plastic cups for mixing epoxy for his upcoming project. On the drive back Dolly showed me Big Nanaan's house, ~~it is~~ on Rees Street.		February 17, 2026, Mardi Gras Day. At Lake Martin. Saw 20+ boat trailers and huge parking lot overflow. Fishermen we talked to were catching bass. Rowed with Dolly, Rick Hermann accompanied us in his kayak. Rowed perimeter of Lake Martin, longest row so far, about 1.5 hours of continuous rowing. Saw several nesting Osprey. Saw Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, small alligators. Noted barrels nailed up in trees, probably hunting blinds. I saw a fast moving small duck, perhaps a Teal or Wood Duck but couldn't positively identify. Dolly saw a Whistling Tree Duck. Dolly had some trouble adapting to rowing, no more than I had on my first attempt. She resisted using the sliding seat at first, after beginning to use it, she felt it made a big difference. That suggests that it is probably best if I don't tell beginning rowers to just row with straight legs. Introduced Dolly and Rick to Ted Spillers after the row; I gave Ted some plastic cups for mixing epoxy for his upcoming project. On the drive back Dolly showed me Big Nanaan's house, still standing on Rees Street.