30th
2009
Windy Paddle on Pond: This afternoon, the wind was gusting to 25mph, but I decided that I just had to get out on the pond after a rough day at work. Hokey Smokes, Bullwinkle, it was rough out there. The wind picked up when I reached the west side of the pond and I literally surfed all the way to the north end, having only to steer the kayak occasionally. Whoo Hoo! But, and there is always a “But…”, then I had to paddle against the wind, back to the south end where we keep the kayak. I was able to take a breather behind some islands at the north end (and came face to face with a big snapping turtle whilst resting). Then, I took a deep breath and made the big push back to the dock, whooping and hollering all the way…”One, Two, Three, Stroke…One, Two, Three, Stroke…”, powering through the strokes, trying to use my back muscles more than my arm muscles, and using my legs to brace for each stroke. I almost thought of ditching the kayak in the woods and walking home at one point, but I just kept the bow perpendicular to the waves and rode up and over them…Once I rounded the point near the public put-in, the waves flattened out and the wind wasn’t in my face anymore. Oh…I am going to be hurting tomorrow! Exhilarating!
