At 74, She Kayaked Every Cove at Lake of the Ozarks

Kayaking the Lake of the Ozarks: A Journey

Introduction to Kayaking Adventure

• The speaker humorously mentions kayaking on people's docks during storms, suggesting a light-hearted approach to her adventures.

• Introduction of Ivonne, a 74-year-old woman completing her kayaking journey around the Lake of the Ozarks, highlighting her determination and spirit.

Origin of the Idea

• Ivonne shares that she initially got bored and decided to explore kayaking as a new activity.

• She recounts starting her journey on August 30, 2020, with a 13-mile float down the Big Nianga River with her sister.

Progression of the Journey

• Ivonne describes how her husband supported her by dropping her off at various points along the lake while he fished.

• She reflects on how she gradually realized she could kayak more extensively than initially planned, eventually aiming for the entire shoreline.

Total Distance Covered

• The conversation shifts to discussing the total mileage covered; Ivonne estimates about 1,325 miles including backtracking.

• She clarifies that approximately 1,135 miles are kayakable shoreline when excluding inaccessible areas like private docks and fallen trees.

Challenges Faced During Kayaking

• Ivonne started this journey in August 2020 and plans to finish at Bagnel Dam soon after recording this interview.

• Discussion about future plans includes possibly exploring more kayaking locations across Missouri or purchasing an e-bike for further adventures.

Exploration Details

• Ivonne emphasizes going deep into coves where boats cannot access, showcasing her commitment to covering every inch of shoreline.

• She explains that if she encountered shallow waters, she would portage until reaching deeper areas or give up after several attempts.

Seasonal Kayaking Insights

• Most kayaking occurred in spring through fall; however, she avoids cold water conditions below 60 degrees Fahrenheit for safety reasons.

• The latest date she kayaked was November 7th; she's noted it as a consistent date over two years.

Islands and Additional Discoveries

• There are only four main islands in Lake Ozarks; however, there may be many smaller ones not officially counted.

• Ivonne discovered late in her journey that islands count towards shoreline mileage based on historical data from engineers' charts.

Unique Experiences While Kayaking

• Despite being told it was insane to undertake such an extensive project alone, Ivonne found joy in nature's beauty without distractions like music.

Final Thoughts and Reflections

• Her average paddling distance increased over time from two-and-a-half miles initially to around twelve to seventeen miles per session recently.

• As she nears completion of this adventure at age 74 ,she expresses bittersweet feelings about finishing but remains open-minded about future endeavors.