
Peggy paddling our inflatable Innova Kayak on Little Squaw Lake.
We went kayaking yesterday at a small lake near our house. It’s about seven miles away southeast of Applegate Lake. We can easily head up there when we have a couple of hours to spare. I am not done with my Burning Man series but thought you might enjoy this interlude. When I complete Burning Man, I am going to blog about a weeklong sea kayak trip Peggy and I took this summer off of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Paddling under cloudy skies, we thought it might rain.

But then the sun came out, allowing for this very green reflection shot.

We kayaked up to the end of the lake and caught this photo of a young steer, who also seemed happy to see the sun.

Towering cumulus clouds dominated the horizon.

And were reflected in the lake.

A curious turtle, blending into the green, checked us out.

Peggy’s sister, Jane Hagedorn and her husband Jim, joined us. We often take friends and family up to Squaw Lake. Its beauty and small size make it an ideal location for beginning kayakers.

A final photo capturing the beauty and peace of the lake. Ripples from a fish that had just jumped are on the lower right. Next blog: Back to Burning Man.
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Wanderer, writer, photographer and activist. I've now settled in Southern Oregon. 1.8 million acres of national forest are out the backdoor and the beautiful Applegate River is out the front door. I like travel, reading, history and wild places. I am married to the lovely, funny, bright Peggy.
36 thoughts on “Kayaking the Beautiful Squaw Lakes of Southern Oregon… An Interlude”
Animalcouriers
With photos like that Curt, you could persuade all us kayak virgins to join your tour 😀
Curt Mekemson
Fly on over! 🙂
lizandlifestyle
Jealous! This looks amazing!
Curt Mekemson
It’s great fun, Liz. And thanks for stopping by. –Curt
cindy knoke
Gorgeous photos and place!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Cindy. And it is nice to have it near by. –Curt
hilarycustancegreen
Another sigh, this time for happy holidays canoeing down the Loire and the Danube. Though our home-made folding canvas and wood canoes look a little different from your buoyant kayaks. I never persuaded my husband and children to take it up fully, though we did get some fibre-glass ones and we had some fun.
Curt Mekemson
Sighs of happy memories are good, Hilary. Peggy and I don’t do nearly enough, but we try. And canoeing down the Danube and Loire— what an experience that would be! –Curt
gerard oosterman
Lovely trip you took us on. I wonder how I would get in and out of a kayak now. How wonderful you live so close to an absolute gorgeous piece of nature.
Curt Mekemson
I am sure you would get in and out of a kayak with the same grace we manage, Gerard. Alls fair as long as you avoid falling in the water. (grin) And we are lucky in terms of where we lived. –Curt
Alison and Don
That was a lovely interlude. Beautiful place, beautiful photos.
Alison
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Alison. So many beautiful places in the world; so little time— to slightly modify one of the old adages that applies to all good things. 🙂
sixdegreesphotography
What a gorgeous lake.. My kind of beginners lake 🙂
You & Peggy are always up to something fun!!
Curt Mekemson
We try… 🙂
Bruce Thiesen
Kind of you to take them out. What a treat.
Curt Mekemson
Always for us as well, Bruce. It fits into the category of ‘any excuse.’ –Curt
gallivance.net
Beautiful spot and nice photos Curt. From the mirror you were kayaking on, I take it that it was a totally windless day. Another perk for kayakers. ~James
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. It was mainly windless, James. Some of the photos reflect small waves. But it wasn’t one of those days where you and the wind fight over which direction you are going to travel. 🙂 –Curt
Tasha
The reflections are amazing! What beautiful outing.
Curt Mekemson
And to think, you and the kids have enjoyed it,Tash. 🙂 Next summer it will be an outing for your family and Tony’s. I suspect we can keep the grandkids (and kids) quite occupied. –Curt
The Writing Waters Blog
How peaceful and calming after all the activity and sensory input of Burning Man.
Curt Mekemson
A different world.
White Postcards
Thank you for sharing this lovely interlude!
Curt Mekemson
My pleasure. 🙂
livelytwist
It looks peaceful out there. Nice!
Curt Mekemson
A great place to escape and enjoy nature at its finest, Timi.
Gator Woman
Awesome pictures Curt!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. 🙂
slingshotbaby69
Great pics Curt….I am a kayaker myself, but mine doesn’t blow up..hahah I adore the peaceful time on lakes when I get the chance and plus I live off the Rio Grande so we take them down the river. Oh what fun!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Slingshot. Peggy and I just went on a week long sea kayak trip off of northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia looking for orcas. Beautiful. I will be blogging about it as soon as I finish up on Burning Man.As for the Rio Grand, we spent one Christmas camping in Big Bend National Park in Texas. What a beautiful area. –Curt
Mustang.Koji
So who was the most talented photographer?? The landscapes were so peaceful and serene… I could hear your paddles ever so softly hitting the water’s surface.
Curt Mekemson
These photos were mine. 🙂 Peggy left her camera home, Koji. Curt
Mustang.Koji
Whew! Glad I didn’t say great pics, Peggy! Lol
Curt Mekemson
Yeah, just slipped by… 🙂 I always do credit Peggy, or others when I use their photos, however. And I rarely use photos that I, or friends haven’t taken. Got to do something with those thousands of photos! _Curt
evelyneholingue
Really peaceful and almost from another planet after Nevada and the Burning Man adventures. Gorgeous photos, as always. You are fortunate to be so close to a place where you can throw a canoe or kayak in the water.
Curt Mekemson
Peggy and I wake up each morning aware of just how lucky we are Evelyne. –Curt