Sunday morning we slept in, drank coffee, and read our devotionals. Finally, showers were taken, the dogs watered and fed, and the car packed. Off to Lake Martin to hopefully improve our kayaking skills. An hour later we were standing in front of the boat rental place, cash in hand. However, this time I asked for a more stable kayak and Mr. Champagne gave us two kayaks which were wider in the middle. Boy, what a difference! I wasn't afraid to use my binoculars or phone. Since it was just the two of us we took our time and meandered around the lake, stopping at times to just sit and soak in all of God's great beauty. It was the best day ever!
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| Double D is loving this too! He told me I am doing a good job of keeping him young. |
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Double D took this one of me. Rarely do I relax and smile for the camera.
I think we've figured out the formula! |
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| Oh no! Our 2 hours are up; time to return to the dock. :( |
Our iphones do a great job for landscape shots, but it's killing me that I can't take photos of wildlife with my DSLR. So, I have ordered a Canon Powershot SX50 just for kayaking. There is no way I can chance losing the DSLR in the lake. The new camera is supposed to have 24mm on the wide angle end and up to 1200mm on the zoom end. I doubt if I'd ever have to use 1200mm since we can get so close to the birds, turtles, and gators on water, plus it has Image Stabilization built in. The reviews are mostly positive, so I'm super excited! Anyone else have experience with this type of camera?
i am glad you all are relaxing & having fun. staying young is a good thing. have a ball. i sure did. my kind of trip & day!! ( :
ReplyDeleteWow this looks so incredibly relaxing and fun!
ReplyDeleteOf course you're keeping him young!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting about the new camera. The time we went canoeing, I wouldn't take my good camera either. I have a little point and shoot I use for those kind of occasions.
I never would have believed those were taken with a phone. You look sparkly-happy out there :)
ReplyDeleteWat een geweldig gebied wat is het daar mooi.
ReplyDeleteThe gorgeous reflections in the water, sure caught my eye. Looks like the two of you have found a new LOVE and it's called kayaking!! What fun this must be..
ReplyDeleteI have to say....the phone camera takes some pretty awesome shots. enjoyed seeing that beautiful smile on your face!! Have a blessed day.
shug
Gorgeous photos! Cypress trees, I believe? Glad you got more stable yaks this time. I've never used that camera, but have heard many good things about it.
ReplyDeleteWell hi friend, so fun to see you! Your day looks and sounds incredible. Your i phone takes great pics too, sadly mine has never been very good. I love the reflections, the vibe and well this whole post makes me smile. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had the perfect relaxing day! Love seeing the photo of you. Your iphone did a great job with the photos. Enjoy your new camera.
ReplyDeleteHow fun for both of you! And you both are so cute!
ReplyDeleteI love your photos especially the ones reflecting in the water.
A 1200mm? Wow, I need to look into that. How many pixels?
several bloggers use that camera - and the zoom is phenomenal! moon shots with extreme detail!
ReplyDeletethis looks like a perfect way to spend a day together.
Gorgeous place for a paddle! I have smaller Canon SX Powershot and I am quite pleased with it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots from your viewpoint on the water!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day and so lovely to see you. Thanks, Double D!
ReplyDeleteBefore my DSLR, I had a Canon PowerShot and I loved it. It was of course an earlier, less zoomy version of what you're looking at. It's a very good camera. I still wouldn't want to risk it!
The only issue I had with it (and a friend of mine had the same issue with hers) is that suddenly.. after a few years, it stopped recognizing a charged battery for some reason.
I thought it was the older batteries, at first but new ones didn't help. Then I figured it was the charger but no, those babies were fully charged. It did the same thing with disposable batteries (it took AAs).
I never did figure out if it was just not recognizing the fully charged battery or if it was zapping them of energy in just a few minutes. But essentially, the camera was useless after that. Online, I found that it was a fairly common complaint. I'd Google key words to see if that is still an issue with it.
WOW! Kayaking is one of my all time favorite things to do. Two years ago we went kayaking in the everglades...it was amazing. And I brought my DSLR camera...very risky. These little point and shoots are fun! I think these shots are excellent!
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous, Gail! So relaxed and happy - sign me up! Funny you should mention that camera, it is the one I decided on. Getting ready to order mine this week. The gal who writes one of the other blogs I follow has one and loves it. I can't remember her blog address right now, but if I find it I will send you the link to what she says about the camera. I look forward to hear what you think of yours!
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyed your kayaking adventure. You took great shots with the phone camera!
ReplyDeleteGail, looks like fun outing. The wider kayaks would be nice for me , I should give them a try. Love the scenic shots.
ReplyDeleteGail, looks like fun outing. The wider kayaks would be nice for me , I should give them a try. Love the scenic shots.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day! That second photo is just fabulous.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteI have several Cannon cameras. Love the larger one,and bought a zoom lens for it. Now I have use it. I think the iPhones use Cannon technology.
ReplyDeleteZillion thanks for sharing this wonderful trip. Kayaking someday is on our bucket list. Thanks to Double D for the great photo of you...you do look happy and relaxed. Love this.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a wonderful adventure! There is no way I would get into a kayak or a canoe, though! I do NOT like the water. Love the images with all the reflection.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely seeing a picture of you in the kayak and of Double D. You look in your element. Great photos again. I will have to put a kayak on my bucket list one day. It looks so much fun.
ReplyDeleteMan, I don't understand all of the camera lingo. Your iphone camera is excellent in my lowly and humble opinion. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteJust to refresh your memory, my sparkle jeans were $1 ! Yups, 10 dimes or 100 pennies for those awesome WHITE HOUSE | BLACK MARKET jeans with sparkles glued on with supermega glue on just the front! One dollar for my most fave jeans ever!!!!!
Just thought I'd refresh your cute memory. lol
Ooops and glad you got wider kayacks this time, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous day. That looks like so much fun! Nice to see people pics form you; I know you'll get back to wild life pronto. And with a new camera! I have no experience with that particular Canon, but I've used a Powershot sx200 for years and loved it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture of you, you look so happy, as does double d!!
ReplyDeleteThose trees, that landscape, what a view!! Looks like an awesome place to kayak!!
Absolutely stunning pictures. You will love that new camera. I have one like it and it takes great pictures. The zoom is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun! Great photos, and I think you are smart to get a good quality point and shoot for your kayaking adventures!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you all having a nice time. Wonderful shot of trees and their reflection.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots - love those blues.
ReplyDeleteFantastic day! I felt like I was out on the water and enjoying the sunshine and gliding silently through the tea-stained water and hearing woodpeckers drumming on cypresses and.....
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Gail!
(I sense a 'yak purchase in your future......)
All of the photos on my blog are taken with the Canon PowerShot SX40HS. I believe yours is the newer model.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun and your photos look pretty darn good for a camera phone.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Oh Gail!! You are a natural in that kayak!! I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to lose your "bestest" camera!! I never took mine out and wished many times that I had a camera.
ReplyDeleteThe cypress are beautiful!!
Thrilled that you tried it again. There's nothing like being on the water. It was always my therapy. You're lucky to have a husband that enjoys paddling too!! Taking your kayaks along adds so much to vacations!!
The tree in picture 4 I find really amazing to see. What a beautiful tree that is! Also nice to see for Gail you because now I have a face lol ...... Very nice sereie and nice to see you on the water together.
ReplyDeleteThese shots are crystal clear. I'm not sure I could relax in even a wider kayak. Bravo for you.
ReplyDeleteYou got some great pictures of Lake Martin. I especially like the one just before the picture of you. You do look happy and relaxed in that picture. Good for you and Double D, keeping each other young.
ReplyDeleteYou may remember that I bought the SX50 but returned it because I had trouble finding my subject in the viewfinder. I loved the camera and hoped they'd come out with the same model but with a better viewfinder. I grew impatient while waiting, though, and bought a DSLR. Other folks don't seem troubled by the viewfinder and have gotten excellent results with the camera. I'll be anxious to hear how you like it.
Good to see you. :)
ReplyDeleteNow I know the lovely face behind the beautiful pictures.
It's nice to put a face to the name now. Great pictures, I'm glad you are getting more comfortable on the water.
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