We set off as a convoy of 3 pontoons, loaded up with kayaks, to a long-distant part of the lake that took an hour to reach.
It was a little choppy and somewhat overcast when we first set off, but the sun eventually showed itself, improving our visibility.
We were a team of five - two kayakers, one snorkeler, and two on the pontoon viewing from a higher vantage point. We managed to cover a lot of ground together since there were vast areas that were too stony for plant growth.
The sense of remoteness that this scenery imparts is hard to imagine - large tracts of undeveloped greenery as far as the eye can see, to be appreciated and enjoyed in its pristine state.
Every time we reached a cove with a marshy shore, we were able to indulge in some botanizing, consolidating what was learnt at the plant paddle the day prior.
Dale, as the snorkeler, had the best viewing opportunity of all, and he was able to solve a little puzzle plant, whose identity had eluded all of us on the expedition thus far. He had picked up this sample a few days before, and we'd all been guessing as to what it would 'grow up to be.'
Lo and behold, he found a plant with both these basal leaves and a long thin stem on which were subtended the distinctive floating leaves of Little Floatingheart (Nymphoides cordata). None of our Field Guides had included the basal leaves!
Mystery solved! Very satisfying, indeed. Our return trip to camp on the pontoons was wild and bumpy since the wind had come up in a BIG way (Big Lake, big winds, big sky), and we were all getting wet and splashed as we crashed through waves. Our youngest and oldest volunteers on the trip shared a towel to shelter under - all smiles and contented after a grand day on the water. Thanks to our very conscientious and aware boat captains, we all returned to shore safely.
