Knowing this about each other we planned accordingly with the kayak rental place, we had our individual kayaks, we had our gear, I had my camera and snacks and we were ready for an awesome adventure.
The trip began beautifully. We had the wind at our back, the paddle was effortless and the marine life was amazing. We were paddling along with sea lions and otters right next to us! It was fantastic. We got to the point where the guys back at the kayak shop had told us to turn around but since we had gotten there so fast and we were having such a good time we thought we would take it a little further. Around the bend there was an entire beach filled with sun bathing sea lions who all at once decided to jump back in the water and treat us to an amazing display of aquatics. We were so glad we had taken this trip. I was mentally planning the time when we would bring Nora to see all this.
After the sea lion show we thought it would be a good time to turn around and head back to the docks. As I guided my kayak starboard I soon realized exactly why we had made it to this point so quickly and why our paddling had been so effortless. The wind was ferocious! As I looked ahead of me, to the great distance we had traveled, I now felt the tremendous wind in my hair and I truly understood the feeling of panic. Not being a person who gives up very quickly and who thrives on endurance I put my head down and started paddling.
The long paddle back was going ok until a couple of things happened...I got stuck in a shallow spot, Paul was about 1/4 mile ahead of me enjoying the view, and the wind was non-abating. I felt my blood pressure rise but what was I going to do?!?!? So again I put my head down and paddled even harder. Painstakingly slow our destination was coming into view. Paul, still about a 1/4 mile ahead of me, had no clue of my peril. I would watch him paddle 4 strokes and then relax, point out topography, enjoy an otter at his kayak and then paddle a few more stroke as I, unfairly matched with the wind, stroked nonstop, my blood pressure rising to a dangerous level. Then came the breaking point...I finally paddled into the cove where we started this doomsday journey and instead of the wind dieing down it got worst, Paul had now disappeared from view and wind surfers (who were in their element) were giving me the hang-ten sign. I broke down, I couldn't paddle anymore, I was prepared to let the wind take me where it wanted to. But just as I was about to make the Elkhorn Slough my permanent residence, an employee from the kayak company came around the bend and asked if I wanted a tow in. My answer, a defeated "yes".
As I docked my kayak, silently thanking the Lord for bringing me back to dry land, I learned a few more things:
What took us 20 minutes to paddle out in took us 2 hours to paddle back in.
The winds were 25 miles an hour, which might not seem like much in hurricane standards but in kayaking standards it's a real bear!
I will NEVER kayak when there is even a hint of wind again!
Lastly, Paul hadn't deserted me in the end, he saw I was struggling so he paddled ahead and got the rescue kayaker out to tow me in. So maybe we do have a chance to make it another 7 years!
Paul, the mighty paddler.
It's a good thing I took these pictures before I turned around otherwise you would have seen a very different face on me!
