15 Foot Canoe in a 6 Foot Bed

Amazingly enough this 15 foot canoe balances well on the bed, when you calculate in the extra foot for the tailgate, and the downward pressure from the truck cap keeping it in place rather nicely.

Taken on Sunday August 30, 2009 at Lawson Lake County Park.

Truck Ride !!

Yes, Eli loves to go for "Truck Rides" in my truck. He gets to ride up high, in the front passenger seat. He even has a harness he wears attached to the seatbelt, because he otherwise slips on the vinyl seats and hits the dashboard hard when I stomp on the brakes.

Taken on Sunday August 30, 2009 at Lawson Lake County Park.

Canoeing at Lawson Lake

Lawson Lake is a County Park located about 3 miles north of the Alcove Reservior that is a popular local place to go canoeing, fishing, and swimming (although posted against swimming). It is located just off of Route 32, about a mile prior to passing the Alcove.

I frequently go down there canoeing when a have an hour or two to burn up, but don’t want to drive a few more miles out to Partridge Run to canoe on some of those lakes. Lawson Lake is located in a beautiful valley as you can see.

Paddling Around the Lake

Usually when I go out canoeing, I bring the dog with me to help balance the canoe. Usually he is quite well behaved, except when he’s not. He understands left and right, front, and sit.

Dog at the Bow

Here is the dog sitting down and looking out over the side of the canoe.

Eli Navigates

The edge of the pond is quite swampy, but with lots of wildlife, including great blue fishers, beavers, snapping turtles and other animals.

Pond's Edge

Along the edge of the pond are Pond Lillis that can be a bit difficult to paddle through. Good place for fishing, I’m sure.

Paddling through Pond Lilies

My little Ford Ranger pickup truck has a 6 foot short-bed. Yet, at least with one of the canoes my parents own, it fits well in the truck is well balanced. The canoe is held down by the truck cap, and tied in with a set of Bunche Cords. It rides increadibly beautiful β€” I’ve taken it over very bumpy state truck trails with no problems at Partridge Run, and driven dozens of miles at high speed like this.

15 Foot Canoe in a 6 Foot Bed

Here is a map. It’s very easy to get there from Albany, and probably even a quicker drive then out to Partridge Run.

Dog at the Bow

When I go out canoeing solo I usually bring the dog, Eli, along to balance out the canoe at the bow (front). Despite him looking out over the bow to see what is ahead of the canoe, he is usually very well behaved and loves going in the canoe.

Taken on Sunday August 30, 2009 at Lawson Lake County Park.