On the Water

As I've mentioned here before, I got a kayak on April 1. In a nutshell, I'm thrilled. I've taken it out on Eagle Creek Reservoir for four solo trips, and carried it to the lake a fifth time with Stephan but we decided it was too windy.At the risk of stating the obvious, I'm much more aware of how being on the water is different from being on land. I'm used to hiking through woods, where the scenery changes quickly and there's always something to see, but you're basically surrounded by trees. Out on open water, scenery changes slowly as you paddle across a long expanse, but going along the shore you notice all sorts of things like wading birds, turtles, little coves that it would be difficult to get to by land, people's back yards, and so forth. I like the different perspective.One thing I like about being out in a natural setting by myself is that it forces me to take notice. As an introvert and a writer, I have a very rich inner life, and sometimes it can be hard to get myself out of my own head and really see what is around me. Spending expended periods of time out of doors does this (and as a helpful side effect, gives me a better place from which to write).In fall of 2008, I bought a tent and started slowly acquiring the equipment for basic backpacking, when I could find things on sale. The thought was that Stephan and I would do some overnight backcountry trips in summer of 2009. Well, the tent and assorted equipment definitely got used, but because of a knee injury a little over a year ago, the backpacking didn't happen. I'm determined it will happen this summer if only for a short hike in, camping, then back out the way we came. But I have to consider that my knees may never be up to the sort of hiking I used to be able to do.Sitting in a kayak puts my knees in the most comfortable position possible. Like swimming, it is exercise I can do without making my knees worse.On Wednesday night, I went to a local swimming pool for a practice session with the Hoosier Canoe Club and learned just how little I really knew about paddling a kayak. I got lots of helpful tips on improving my strokes and got to practice capsizing my boat and getting back in. The short answer is that if I fall out in deep water and I'm alone, I'm probably screwed for getting myself back in. This is one reason why I won't be doing any large lake crossings in this boat! But it's not meant for long distance touring anyway. It was pointed out to me that my kayak was lacking in certain helpful features of the much more expensive models. If a year or two from now I like kayaking as much as I currently do and am feeling the limitations of the boat, I will likely upgrade. But for now I'm just thrilled that it gets me out on the water and is comfortable and pretty adequate for my current needs. I went to my local outfitter then next day and purchased essential equipment like a bilge pump and a whistle.I'm going back to the pool in a couple of weeks for a beginner training class and weather and our schedules permitting, want to take Stephan out so he can try it too. I love my new toy and having the freedom to pick up and go to the lake. Yesterday I explored the southern half of Eagle Creek Reservoir, maybe not as scenic as the north part, but still lots of fun. We're scheduled for several days of rain, but depending on which days are clear and my teaching/exam schedule, I might even do an overnight camping trip to a lake about 45 minutes away. I'm very happy that I decided to get a kayak.