I've always spent a lot of time around water. I've logged countless hours in a canoe. But, my kayak experience is limited to a couple of occasions where we rented them for half a day or so. Where we live on Long Island, we are less than a mile from a harbor which opens up onto the sound in one direction, and an extensive wetlands in the other. So I don't have to travel far for a little kayak excursion. We took the boat down to the harbor yesterday and each of us took a turn taking it out for about an hour and a half. The water safety instinct that has been ingrained in me said "out in a boat alone? Not a good idea..." But, I know that paddling alone is not uncommon, and true evaluation of the situation made it a no brainer. Lifejacket, close to shore, flat water...so I agreed.
I may have a new passion. Since moving here, I have become so accustomed to being alone that I had no issue paddling off by myself. Company is not a necessity. And once I was out on the water, it was so still and beautiful, and interesting that the time flew by. I could glide by the edge of the grasses and get much closer to the egrets feeding along the shore. I'm going to have to practice stealth kayaking....I still spook them. I saw a heron take flight and an oyster catcher on the shore and a big horseshoe crab swam by. I paddled around a little island inhabited only by birds. It's protected for terns and plovers and I saw both. It's going to take me a little time to get up the nerve to take a camera out with me. And now I know why I hung on to my older model when I upgraded...it can be designated my boat equipment. I'm looking forward to exploring the shoreline from the water, getting another perspective. If anything will help me embrace living here...maybe, this is it.
This is a map of the harbor with the general route of my first outing inked in. There's still a lot to explore right in the back yard.
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10 comments:
Wow, that was quite an expedition! The older I get (Ha! Not that I'm old.....) the more I savor solitude. I seem to enjoy my own company more than anyone elses. I haven't been kayaking since I lived in the Ozarks, of all places. Here in the wilds of West TX, water is as scarce as brains. I'm glad that you're kayaking, Kat - it's a wonderful diversion. I'll look forward to seeing some photos soon!
Wonderful Kat! I've never been kayaking but I think it's a wonderful thing for you to do - and probably even better in solitude. It's one of those things where I'd think you can find that inner peace. Hugs!
My brother had a kayak that hung in the garage for ages. I wonder where it went? Has it been 21 months? Almost two years? Wow! I know what you mean about being alone all the time.
Having grown up on the Sound, though across the water in Westchester, I enjoyed reading this a lot. I hope you have many happy hours kayaking around the area and get many good photos. I remember the horseshoe crabs on the beach.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
I grew up canoeing too! We went to the Delaware Water Gap several times, Rickets Glen, and various camping expeditions had it too. So, for my birthday last year, I went kayaking on the ocean and fell in love. It's soooo much fun. The scariest part was the sea lions that would suddenly pop up near the boat out of no where.
Enjoy!
Wow a kayaking solo ... Like you I'm not quite sure how that solo thing would fly especially in the beginning. I do love paddling through the water though. I was married to a cajun for 17 years and we used a pirogue (pea-row)it's sort of like a canoe but with a wide flat bottom, to paddle through the bayous.
Anyway back to this lifetime ...
David's daughter lives on long island with the grand kids I would love to go up to visit with them and make it a point to go out to see your wetlands in person through the lense of my camera. I'll let you know.
Wow, kayakng alone. I don't think I would have the guts to go by myself Kat. Maybe if I could put it in a pond or something like that, just to get the feel of it first...but of course I do just about everything solo now a days. :)
It sounds wonderful. No wait... wonderful isn't a good enough word. Peaceful, exhilarating, fulfilling, is there a wrod that means all that?
Super, super post.
So, how's life on LI? You have no idea how much I have missed everyone! By the way, I have always wanted a kayak, it would cut out the damn bridges and make getting around the island so much quicker! LOL!
Hi Kat,
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I see you haven't been around much either. It sounds like a fun adventure you had. Sonny and I went kayaking once and while I had fun, I'd rather not have that particular experience again! Maybe on a lake but, not with the open moving current.
Anyway, I hope all is well with you. Thinking about you!
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