Random thoughts when floating on a kayak

My weekend began with a busy Saturday, run Krystal to work run quick errands, Pick Krystal up and ride to Naples for a friends wedding. To head to the wedding I put on my suit and then put my over-suit riding gear on like a good boy. Then rode over to pick her up the 3ish miles to go pick her up I realized I would be SOAKED with sweat if i tried to do this out to Naples so I took the risk and left the riding suit at her work and rode up in just my Suit, Helmet, boots and gloves. I am sure I looked the site as people looked at me on the monster dressed like that.  Along the way as we were passing the Prison on River rd I rolled 60,000 miles on Raxi (short for Ataraxia) my monster. Big number so we stopped and took some photos.

Google Auto Awesomed Krystal's photo I like it.

The Wedding was beautiful and the reception was grand. I did not get motion sick on the boat on long lake. :-) Good time hanging out with good friends.

Sunday was started with helping my mom move some plants in her gardens, spread some mulch, fix a hose and install the AC units. it all ended up taking a little longer than planned so by time I made it out to  Ft Williams to the IATSE softball game it was over. disappointed I took a short ride around Cape Elizabeth and then around the east end of Portland spotted the kayaks on the bay. So I swung in and signed up for the Sunset Tour with Portland Paddle. Having 3.5 hours till the tour I rode home, changed and walked the 3.5 miles to the beach, stopping and getting some lunch and being pretty lax about the whole walk. When I got the the beach I found my friend Amy who was going going swimming in the bay and chatted with her a bit as she got into her wet-suit and got ready to dive in.

When I got to Portland paddle they told me the tour had been canceled cause I was the only one signed up but I could still rent and go for a paddle, Sure why not.

I filled out the questionnaire and waver, we talked over rout options due to the wind that had picked up and after stashing my stuff in the back of their office I heading out.

The sun was bright, the water cool which made the air feel so much nicer than when I was on land. I paddled out over to the yacht club by the entrance to back bay,  and around by the mouth of the Presumpscot river and then around to Mackworth Island. The folks suggested that rout and back might take me about  as much time as I had so i dove into the wind and started back. I was feeling strong so I push out into the bay and wind. on my way back and scoot past Halfway rock I check the time and realize I have not used half my time. I guess I am moving faster than they expected. So, I sit back and drift for a bit taking it all in.

It is an interesting feeling being out in the Bay away from everyone and everything. All the other boats are far away as is the shore. Again I am alone. Just me and my thoughts. It is a similar feeling to be out alone on the bay as it is to be on the top of a mountain.  I often am ending up on these adventures alone. I tend not to plan far enough ahead for those that might join me to be able to plan and make the time. I also have found I do a lot of stuff for other people, to help them out or to follow what they want to do. This is not necessary a bad thing I like helping out people and such, I just have not had time to go on the hikes and adventures I would like to. There is a balance there I need to work on. My mind also wanders around the thoughts of the house I am looking into buying and wondering if I will be able to make it work . I also ponder this blog, thinking how I have not updated it in a wile. It is funny how going for a day long motorcycle ride no longer feels like it deserves a blog entry. Maybe I should do some small posts about the bikes,

I paddle on playing in the wind and waves. It kinda feels like surfing in the wind. I head back to the swing bridge by the entrance to Back bay. the wind calms way down, blocked by the peninsula.

Someday I will learn to use Lightroom and I will make my photos look awesome. :-P

I do like how these came out.

After playing around here I decide to head back. I still have time left on my meter but I am a bit tired, I have not done this all that often and I still have a 3.5 mile walk home.


I paddle back to the beach and just as I get out one of the Folks from Portland Paddle walks down and we carry the Kayak back up, and I head home.

This was not the day I planned but it was a good one. Complete with a bit of introspection.