Kayaking in January?
Preparing to Launch
Well yes, as a matter of fact! Given the mild weather that we have been enjoying through the winter (so far), almost all things water related are still possible in eastern NC. It has been awesome to still be out of doors on some days in shorts and flip flops, absorbing the air, wind, sun and as it happens, floating on the New River.
My husband Tim spent New Year’s Day (afternoon) kayaking with a friend, who had never kayaked before. What a treat! And, you know what they say – whatever you choose to be doing on New Year’s Day will at least be a sign of what you will be doing for the rest of the year. You can’t make a better choice than paddling and skimming peacefully and reflectively along cool calm waters.
Some modifications are surely required to be on the water in January even if the weather is wonderful. A few sturdy layers and water proof shoes and maybe a cap come in handy to be comfortable in the head wind, but all in all, setting “sail” in the winter air offers a unique and beautiful view of our local marine habitat unlike the warmer months. In other words, it is worth doing!
Into the Sunset
After hearing of the New Year’s Day spectacular outing, our oldest teen, Kass knew that she wanted a shot at it too before heading back to school this past weekend. Tim had gone out of town overnight to visit a friend and Kass was down to her last two days at home. The weather was beautiful and moderate again, so I had planted myself in the back yard for some raking and excavation of leafy flower beds. Not long after I was in full stride and making some excellent headway, child duty called. “Mom! I am going to load the kayaks on the truck and grab my friend Tatianna to head down to the river to paddle!” Sounds great, I thought.
One moment later, I thought again and decided to accompany them as a matter of supervision. I mean, it is January, the water is cold, there looked to be only maybe 1 2/2 hour more of sunlight – my fretting instincts went into play and I went along with them. They kayaked and I sat perched on the dock reading to bide the time before sunset – still an awesome arrangement. The girls squealed and giggled with delight, unloaded the water crafts, geared up with life jackets and after a slight shove from the shore by me, they were off onto glistening water. We discussed the route they would take since sunset would only be about an hour away and I would know where they had gone. There was not another soul out there and the water was still and inviting. The only other visible live creatures were birds, pelicans, geese and seagulls. The girls paddled away, I sat and read, taking in the sinking sun.
Forty five minutes or so later, they appeared, rounding the curve of a small island and returned to the dock without incident, i.e., no one got wet! I stood on the dock and took some pictures as they approached – it was breathtaking – the sun was setting, soft and pinkish orange and grey blue to the west and the full moon was rising quietly in the east. The girls saw it too and were blown away. May the new year bring many more such memorable kayaking ventures!
What are some other favorite winter out of door activities?
