Today my sister and I went on a RIC/KA trip down the Narrow River to the ocean. For me it didn't start out very well. Almost as soon as we arrived at the put-in and I got out of the car I twisted my ankle and thought I may have broken it. It turns out it was just a nasty bruise, thank God! Be careful wearing those clog-type shoes on uneven ground. The parking area was gravel and all I did was step on a stone in such a way as to cause my foot to lurch to the side. I found myself on the ground. I was able to pick myself up and help Ellen get the kayaks off of the car. We packed them up and while we waited for the others I soaked my poor foot in the cool water.
When others arrived we decided to get out of the way and let others use the riverside to get into their boats. So we went out onto the water. What a beautiful day! We paddled down the Narrow River and arrived at the mouth where it opens to the ocean. It was a bit scary once we began coming around the bend. Ellen and I decided not to take any risks and paddled to the beach before completely making the turn. It was pretty tough getting back up and around to where the others were. The current was very strong. It turns out that it would have been OK to go all the way but at the time it looked a bit too scary to do.
After we beached the kayaks we watched as others floated down and around the bend. We decided to try it. After all, what's and adventure without trying something new and exciting!! At first the water felt really cold but once we were in it was fine. Isn't that the way it always is! Anyway we floated down and around the bend. As we floated we decided to try swimming back upstream. It was impossible to do as the current was so very strong. Perhaps a really strong swimmer might have been able to negotiate such a current but we went backwards laughing all the way! As we floated along we could see others, like ourselves, little heads just floating along but just behind we could also see others, including a man with a little dog, walking on water! - or so it seemed. They were walking on a sandbar which was just beyond us. Once we decided to stop our floating journey we put out feet down to put on the brakes. The water was only up to our waist and we could just stand up. The current had taken us right around the bend and to where the surf was. We made that journey three times before we decided to take a walk down to watch the more experienced kayakers play in the waves.
The waves! They were fantastic! I kept wishing I had brought my boogie board! Oh! What a ride it would have been! Maybe even a bit scary! I had never watched kayakers play in the waves this way before. It was quite incredible the way they negotiated the waves. It is certainly an art.
When we had lunch others passed around things such as shrimp cocktail, cheese crackers, wine, watermelon. It was a fun feast!
Then it was was time to head back. Ellen and I hit a part which was very shallow. I almost got out and walked myself to a deeper part of the water but was able to get deeper just a few inches away. It's hard to tell where the water is too shallow until you're already in it. We're learning to read water better though. The little ripply waves seem to signify shallow water.
Once we found the place where we put in we decided to go beyond and explore some. Boy! There are some nice houses and pieces of property along the river. I wouldn't mind owning a place on such a river!
Once we loaded the kayaks on the car we decided to go to the Kayak Center so Ellen could find out about the leak in her boat. After that we went to Duffy's for smelts - but - they were out of them so we had fried fish of the day which turned out to be cod - which, I might add, turned out to be delicious! We also had some coconut shrimp and, of course, a glass of wine.
All in all, it was a wonderfully fun day. I must take this trip again!
I say this as I sit here soaking my poor foot in aloe to help the swelling from the fall. Some things are just worth the pain.
I'll post some photos when they have been developed.
Kevin and Ellen watching a hawk eating its dinner up on the shore. 
Kayaking at The Glen in NH was great again this year. On Wednesday night the moon was full and as Elizabeth and I paddled peacefully on the lake we watched as the moon rose up from behind Mt. McGallaway. What a beautiful site! It was so big and bright and almost as soon as it came up over the mountain it hid again behind a dense cloud only to make a second appearance as it rose up from behind the cloud. A special treat!
