Lovely Lake Wheeler Mid-Week After-Work Paddle

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/5/4/600_266176212.jpeg GENERAL DESCRIPTION - Lake Wheeler is only 8 driving miles South of the Center of Raleigh and a great place for scenic paddles to rejuvenate your spirit while breaking-up your too long work week. . . . . This 800 acre park with a 650 acre lake, a land buffer, & access to Swift Creek (which is definately NOT swift) is a favorite capital city getaway..... This is a casual paddle typically going North under the Penny Road Bridge & then up Swift Creek past a Beaver Lodge where we can enjoy paddling under a soothing canopy of green shady trees..... I sometimes see Deer, Beavers, King Fishers, Ospery & other Eagles, & a variety of wading birds. Recently a huge Owl circled me & then roosted on a tree about 30 ft away from me...... There is a small fee to launch our kayaks & secure parking at the boat launch. We need to be off the lake by sundown. I usually stay a few minutes after loading my kayak to watch often amazing & colorful Sunsets.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS - We need to paddle as a group at all times for safety. For everyones Safety you must wear a PFD with a whistle......

Weather - Be sure to check back two hours before this event as it will be canceled if thunderstorms are in the area. I always review Doppler Radar to see storm locations & where they appear to be heading.

LAUNCHING - WE can launch our kayaks from the floating, very low paddle boat launching dock or the adjacent recently created sand beach just past the three concrete boat ramps.

Please be on time, or early if you possibly can arrive early. We must be off the lake by sunset, so we only have a couple hours to paddle even if everyone is on time. I know it is a bit of a rush for some people working until 5pm. But it is unfair to all those fellow paddlers that are in the water on time to have to wait & loose paddle-time waiting for a late arrivals. With this in mind, anyone that does not have their boat in the water & ready to paddle by 10 minutes after the agreed to meetup time will not be officially paddling with this meetup group. I plan to arrive & have my kayak on the water at least 30 minutes early so i can help others get their boats on the lake.

I plan to continue this mid-week meetup at least until the water temp's drop below the 60's, & probably thereafter, with proper coldwater emersion clothing restrictions. I may cancel when i am going to be out of the Raleigh Area, or for lightning & other weather issues. Please be sure & check at Simply Kayaking a hour before any meetup to be sure it is still "ON".

Lake Wheeler Park Boat Launch Fees:

City Residents - $4 daily | $100 full season

Non Residents - $6 daily | $150 full season

Senior* / Veteran - $2 daily | $50 full season

Boat Rentals & Fees:

Jonboats / Rowboats (available year round): $4/hour

Canoes (available April through October): $5/hour

Kayaks (single & double - available April through October): $5/hr.

LIABILITY - As there are never any meetup dues/fees or money charged by organizers/hosts on trips, there is no assumption of risk or liability by hosts. Attendance at any event with said hosts, or any function is your agreement that it is completely at your own risk, and that you have been duly informed; any guests or others with you; that it is at their own risk. We will assume no responsibility for any untoward occurences. . . . . . As with all of our paddles, we are not guides and we are not instructors. We are a group of kayaking enthusiasts out for a good time. We help each other and we learn from each other. By participating in any of our paddles you assume all risks and responsibilities for your personal health and safety and for your equipment. It is important for everyone that each participant be prepared for the trip. Please use your discretion and best judgment when joining a trip. Be sure you are up to the paddle; physically, mentally and that your equipment is appropriate for the intended trip.