Vacation Anticipation

I am enjoying that pre vacation euphoria. You know, that sweet week of planning, making lists, and daydreaming about what you will be doing a week from now. That sweet anticipation of what is to come, sometimes better than what actually will be. I do know this, there will be no computers, no conference calls, and no TV blaring.

For now, in my head, bathing suits fit, weather is perfect, and the family is all sitting on the dock, listening to the water lap against the shore, watching the sunset, being good to each other.

I am enjoying a cup of coffee as I watch the sky grow light. I slip into my boat and quietly paddle in that glassy morning water over to Taylor Creek. There is an eagle fishing in the pond as I sit watching from my yak.

I am paddling into Emerald Bay and climbing the trail to visit the tea house.

I am hiking a new trail to a secret lake.

I am screaming down trails on my mountain bike.

I come back to our cabin on the beach, spent for the day. The house is abuzz with laughter and the sing song of young and old. Someone hands me a bowl of fresh hand cranked strawberry ice cream.

Happiness.

Self-Rescue and Wet Exits

I am a little embarrassed to admit that it had been a couple of years since practicing a self rescue, or even an assisted rescue. So our club worked out a great deal with our local kayak shop and we had a class with instructors Jeff and Teri.

Water was still pretty cold so we all donned wetsuits and headed for the lake.

As much time as I spend on the water I surprised myself by fearing the fall over into the water. I know part of it was that my newer boat has a pretty tight cockpit and I was nervous about easily slipping out.

So...over I went, and it was easy and even fun. We practiced the paddle float, cowboy, self roll and heel hook. Falling over ended up being the best fun of the night. Boy those wet suits really work! I stayed warm and comfy.

I gained the confidence that I can get myself back in my yak if I need to.

I plan to take more classes and build that skill set for more ocean yakking.

No Fear!

I

Water Therapy South Fork American River

What a day.  Stuck behind the computer for hours, negotiating, analyzing and the hardest part...listening.  These long calls are so hard.  I tend to drift off and hope no one calls my name...but inevitably...you hear your name and there is a question attached.  I have finally come to the point in my career where I fess up and ask them to restate the question.  Not my fault! People just talk too long and use way to many words to make a point.

I escape. Stewing on the days issues and challenges with this person, customer, exec...kid.  And then...there it is.  The lake spreads out before you like a big hug.  Instantly work fades away and I switch over to playtime. 

The lake is high and fairly warm in the cove where I meet my fellow paddlers for some water playtime.  The water is so high we are paddling through tree tops.

ahhhhhhh...paddling on

Fog, cold, wind...Sun!

50 degrees memorial day morn as I loaded the yak to head out for the annual memorial day paddle and picnic.

It hit 60 by the time I was in the water, but the wind did not let up all day.

The afternoon warmed up and we had a great turnout, about 30 yaks on the water and over 50 at the picnic.
Great food, great paddling company.

We Remember...