Paddleboarding the Canal

 Low 80s today with humidity headed to the low 80s.  Our morning jacuzzi dip - short.  The two batches of laundry I hung on the lines dried quickly, even the blanket.  The bread I began also loves the heat.  Defrosting the mini freezer - quick.  The pool suddenly busy.  I don't know where all these people came from.  So the paddleboard was the obvious answer.  On the water with no people.  My happy place.


  




Lots of fish and jellyfish.  I did not find either the resident sea turtle or any sharks!

While paddling around the corners I couldn't help but feel the similarity to my episode as a teenage on Mooselookmeguntic Lake in Oquossoc, Maine.  I headed out by myself in the canoe with my 110 camera and lots of optimism.  A glorious day I let the wind take me wherever it wanted.  A few hours later, a storm.  Pelting rain and severe wind that pushed me further and further from our dock.  I headed closer to shore and tried to paddle to no avail.  Thankfully a father and son saw me and yelled to use their dock.  After struggling for what seemed like forever, I made it to them and they helped me out of the canoe.  Then they gave me dry clothes and a ride back to the house.  Someone was watching out for me that day!

Lessons learned - check the weather!  Try to always head upstream or upwind initially for an easier return trip.  Take a buddy or let someone know where and what direction.  

Our float plan for our return trip is complete with a departure from Ocean Reef on Saturday morning and our crossing Sunday morning.  (If the weather forecast remains unchanged.) Five weeks have never felt so short.

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