I had the most wonderful day off yesterday, was up at 6, had the kayak loaded and was on the road by 7:30. Remembered all the stuff I was supposed to remember; dry change of clothes, snack, sun block, bug spray, paddle, life jacket. I met Raincrow at the Riverside cafe in SouthWhitley for breakfast and then he led the way to the public launch site on the Eel River. On the way to the take out spot in North Manchester, a doe and her yearling ran out in front of us. Thank goodness we didn't hit them, that would have dampened the fun. And what a great float we had. So many times I wished I had a waterproof camera with me. I've known Nick for quite a while, have spent many evenings parsing our philosophical differences and commonalities over a drink. He and his trusty companion, Wizard shared a canoe and I initiated my kayak into river travel. I've had it out on the lake for a couple of days, but those two types of paddling couldn't be any more different. River paddling presents a whole different set of challenges, rocks, snags, sand bars, and I found a good many of them. Nick was laughing at all the effort I expended to get where I wanted to go, while he expertly and effortlessly glided to the exact spot that would allow him to pass obstacles without any of the crashing and banging around I was doing. I still have so much to learn, but MAN, was it fun! And we saw river otters, baltimore orioles, herons, a soft shelled turtle, the fishing Indian maiden in North Manchester. It was an awesome time. I was almost disappointed when we arrived at the take out spot that the trip was over too soon, but my wrists were sore from paddling, so it was all for the best. Raincrow helped me load up my boat and and led the way back to 14 so I could rush back for my date with Harry. I have been having so much fun going out with him, it's like a balm to my soul. I wore a little black dress and a pair of new high heels and we went to Henry's for the cash seafood bar. Excellent! Miah was there and I got the recipe for his "special coffee".
Keoke Coffee
1 oz brandy
3/4 oz kalahua
1 oz dark creme de cacao
top with coffee
2 comments:
I am glad you are out enjoying life.
The kayak sounds like fun, and exercise too. We have a canoe but don't get out often. I've never tried kayaking though.
Kayaking is similar to motorcycling in the way that you're so immersed in the environment. It sits so much lower in the water than a canoe that you experience everything more viscerally, plus you tilt it to aid in turning. Sound familiar? I also like the individuality of the single kayak, for the same reason that after riding a motorcycle I no longer enjoy riding as a passenger.
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