A while back, before I went under the knife, I promised that I would provide you with some good local intelligence information regarding local flat-water kayaking that has the potential for fabulous fall foliage, quiet waters, and if you’re lucky–peace, love and happiness. 
There are two fantastic flat water lakes within a few gallons of gas and maybe one pee-stop from the Sacramento area (the former is a nod to the still pretty damn high fuel prices and the latter is an acknowledgement of a necessity of the aging process).
One is Lake Solano, which is pictured above and the other is Lake Natoma.
Lake Solano is just west of the really cutesy town of Winters which–among other establishments–has a very popular breakfast spot (Putah Creek Cafe) and well known dinner venue (Buckhorn Steakhouse), as well as a coffee house (Fast Eddy’s), a sleeper secret of a wonderful winery (Berryessa Gap) and maybe best of all, the iconic Palms Playhouse, which hosts some of the best music in the country.
Lake Natoma is just east of downtown Sacramento, near the town of Folsom and is really just a wider part of the lower American River, created by the Nimbus Dam.
For the purposes of full disclosure: no, I am NOT a member of any local Chamber of Commerce, I’m just trying to pretend I am a travel guidebook writer. (And boy, can I pretend.)
Lake Natoma can be very popular, meaning you are likely to see a number of other kayaks, but this is a big, little lake, and you should never feel hemmed in by a flotilla of watercraft. Plus there are numerous, almost-hidden, nooks and crannies to be discovered. The scenery is truly a world apart from the not-too-distant urban enclave.
On the other hand, we have been on Lake Solano about a half a dozen times this summer and fall, and we have seen maybe three or four other kayaks, if that many. They seem to have a paddle boat rental business but we have never seen them anywhere but at the dock.
And there is one narrow, side channel with lush foliage that closes in right to the water. The creek seems to go back for miles and gives the feel that you are the first person to venture deep into some tropical rainforest waterway. I have never seen any other boat back in there.
But, once I would swear that I heard a couple of banjos going back and fourth.
There is no doubt that on Lake Solano the wild bird to mostly domesticated humans ratio is higher than any lake I have been on.
Not only do the number of birds provide constant bird watching opportunities but the variety is also amazing, with some very large species that may have you ducking for cover. (Fowl pun not intended.)
Now that I hopefully have piqued your interest in finding something that floats so you can check out these two local treasures, I need to caution you regarding one serious hazard that you really must know about.
Oops. My quarters just ran out…I will have to finish this story later.
HInt: it was dueling banjos today. Tomorrow: think Johnny Cash.
(And what does John Kerry have to do with it?)
are you going to walk the line in your next post?
Nice. You really Cash’ed in on that comment, Matt.
(Check it out for yourself…just posted.)