The Lonely Kayaker

At a recent lunch a co-worker said to the group, “We need to get this poor girl more kayaking friends, she is always down at the lake by herself”.  Uh noooo, not "poor girl".   I have plenty of kayaking buds…well, can always use more of those, but not the point.  I like kayaking by myself.  No, …I RELISH kayaking by myself.  I call it my “Water Therapy”.  I know, it’s always better to have a buddy for safety…but if you are in a safe environment and take reasonable precautions, kayaking on your own…is well, relaxing, therapeutic, just pure joy.
Picture this…you are working all day, in an office, in front of a computer, talking, negotiating, number crunching, dealing with co-worker issues, etc.  You get the picture.  Come 4PM.  You grab your water bottle and head out to the parking lot where your boat is waiting in (or on) your car.  You are at the lake in 25 minutes and on the water in 5 more (I quickly change into play clothes in the back seat). 

For me, this replaces the gym for exercise.  I power paddle for about an hour around the island and back up to the cable hoping for a little current for fun.  And the reward…a leisurely float back down with the current, sipping water, watching the birds, jumping fish, occasional beaver, otters, herons, egrets, turtles and deer.
Depending on daylight left I head to the marshes for more relax time and check out turtle tree to see how many turtles are hanging out.

There are always other kayakers out there, some single, some with friends, but the lake is so big and long you can easily get away by yourself and enjoy the peace.  

Don’t get me wrong, I love yakking with family, friends and my club, and it is particularly great for those all day or weekend paddle trips.  But I value Kayaking as great exercise, relaxation and hanging with nature…in all its calmness.  

Sometimes, I crank up the IPOD music and boogie down the lake…so much better than a gym! So if you see a crazy blond haired lady in a Mango boat, rocking down the water…or just hanging out with the critters, come say Hi.