Trailblazers are out kayaking on Lake Mary.

Mimi and Norma.

After last minute cancellations two Trailblazer kayakers showed up at the Lake Mary Narrows Boat Launch on Upper Lake Mary. A lovely partly cloudy day with temperatures hovering in the 70’s with light breeze awaited. Norma and Mimi had this narrow calm lake almost to themselves. The Lake Marys are still flooded well above normal banks, with occasional barbed wire fences cutting across flooded coves as proof. As we lazily paddled enjoying the break from the desert heat, we saw Blue Herons, Osprey, Ravens, a lone Sea Gull and mother ducks with tiny ducklings in tow.

Lovely lake all to ourselves.

Pink Smartweed.

Many wildflowers dotted the shorelines including Golden Sunflowers and Lupine. Areas of the lake were choked with Pink Smartweed, a water loving hearty plant with pink purplish flowers, which we glided our kayaks over. Shortly after noon we took lunch on shoreline sitting on flat rocks taking in the scenery. The lake being flooded is larger than expected so we chose to just paddle the Southeast leg. After paddling further on around yet another bend towards the end near Pine Grove Campground, we turned around back towards the Narrows Launch this time close to the Northern shore. The breeze picked up a bit as afternoon rainclouds rolled in. But did no more than sprinkle as we were loading up around 3pm. Grabbed a quick Hagan Das ice cream at Lake Mary County Store on way out. Definitely a lake worth revisiting in the future.

Mimi paddling in Pink Smartweed

Watch for rocks.