LaSalles Landing Park, Penfield

So tranquil and beautiful

All the many times I kayaked on Irondequoit Creek at and by Bay Creek Paddling Center, I never noticed LaSalles Park, directly across the road on Empire Blvd. I knew of the launch further down the road near Basil's Restaurant, which is where I was when Nancy called and asked me if I was on my way. I said I had already arrived and she said oh, so had she. We were not in the same place. Lol. Fortunately I had not unloaded my kayak yet and got back in the car and drove over to LaSallles Park. A much better area to launch, nice parking lot.

Bay Creek Paddling Center

There is a small space between the tall bulrushes that has a little makeshift floating dock that was very easy to board and launch your kayak from. This brings you into a sheltered part of the bay. You can go out into the open bay waters or go into the channels of Irondequoit Creek. We chose the later. Had the perfect day for it. It was sunny and 73 degrees with a nice breeze that made the ride very comfortable. We went under the Empire Blvd bridge and past Bay Creek Paddling Center, home of the now deceased attack beaver. We saw a swan family, turtles relaxing on logs in the sun, many red winged black birds and a great blue heron. We paddled leisurely for an hour and did not quite make it to Ellison Park and turned around.

Swans preening

"The Bouncer" Goose

When we arrived back at the boat launch a family of geese had settled by the dock. I was nervous, not sure how the parents would react with us coming towards their babies. But they politely let us through, without even a hiss.

Before loading my kayak on my car, I needed to use the bathroom. There are no bathroom facilities at this park. No problem for me. I spotted some trees and bushes away from the parking lot and headed that way. By this time there were 2 families of geese in the area.
One of the parents did not like me coming over. He actually puffed his chest out and gave an attitude move of the head meaning "oh no you didn't just decide to come over here" and started coming at me. If he was a person he would have been stomping his feet! I decided I didn't have to go that bad, so I turned right around and went back to load my kayak on my car.

I can't think of a better way to spend a Thursday afternoon in June. 

Kayaking Buddies Selfie