Wandering Mind

Lesson #1
Don't go kayaking by yourself if you've never had a lesson.
Lesson #2
Definitely don't go kayaking by yourself having never had a lesson when the water is 33 degrees.

The problem with getting a kayak in the middle of winter is you don't want to wait for the water to warm up before you take it out. Kayaks do NOT handle like a canoe! I went out on the Wallkill river today thinking I would keep it in the calmer areas, tipping over wouldn't be an issue so I don't have to worry about the fact that I don't know how to roll it over. I was out for less than three minutes when I find myself under the kayak in 33 degree water, sunglasses and paddle are gone and I'm struggling to get out of the kayak. Hmm... this was not the afternoon I had planned on... Once I'm out of the kayak I grab onto it and try to swim toward the shore, watching the paddle float away, hoping I don't get hypothermia. It gets harder to catch my breath and my muscles get tired from the cold, I can feel the panic coming on... Should I yell for help? oh, god... and my hand hits something. Its mud... the water was about a foot deep... oh... I guess I could just stand up now and walk out... yeah, hi. that's not embarrassing. Granted, it was deeper (over my head) where I tipped it but I'm sure most of my swim was in water under four feet deep.

I actually got my paddle back, too. I drove along the river on the way home hoping I would see it float by. Surprisingly I actually did and since I was still soaking wet from my first swim, I just jumped in and got it.

Yeah, I think I'll take kayak lessons as soon as the water warms up a bit.

Labels: Kayaking

to light a fire under your ass. L's due date is coming in about two and a half weeks and we had some "pains" last night that we weren't sure where they were going. Turns out to be a false alarm but we realized we still needed to get some things ready so that's what we've been doing today. Car seat is installed. Baby clothes, blankets and bedding are washed. Suitcase is nearly packed... Playlist still needs to be created for the iPod. Problem is you don't know what is good birthing music when it's your first one. We took a tour of the birthing center yesterday which may have been what sparked last night. You're always catching something in a hospital and we may have just caught a touch of labor. Seems to be gone now but the baby is finally dropping down. It's quite the trip to get ready for a baby.

I've been hitting the gym lately but not the mat. I have a hunch it's not far away, though.