Why I Never Shut Up About Kayaking!

Hi all. I hope this post finds you well.

You've heard me talking incessantly about kayaking but I'm not sure I've ever explained why I'm so addicted to this leisure sport. It's all @shadowspub's fault.

Our parents had five children and summer vacations were all about camping until around 1976 when they purchased a general store in the tiny village of Castleton. Running a family business was a full-time job, to say the least, and the end of our family camping trips.

I can remember camping at places like Algonquin Provincial Park, Bon Echo Provincial Park, Balsam Lake Provincial Park, Killbear Provincial Park and Sharbot Lake Provincial Park. It was at Sharbot Lake that I first experienced paddling.

Our campsite had a little path that led right down to the lake so our parents rented a canoe. I was pretty excited as I'd never been in a canoe. I think I was five or six years old. Early one morning @shadowspub and I stealthily exited the tent trailer, padded down the little trail and embarked on my first paddling adventure.

Every stroke of my paddle produced hundreds of sparkling diamonds in the early morning sun. It was peaceful almost silent as I noticed another world living beneath the surface of the crystal clear water. The plants danced as we glided over them and the fish quickly swam away, seeking safety from our paddles. Spotting a Common Loon we quietly tried to follow as it dove and resurfaced many meters from its original spot. It became a game trying to figure out where it would come back up.

It wasn't until many years later that I was able to enjoy canoeing again. We were living on a small lake outside of Haliburton called Amaleen. My hubby and I purchased an old 14-foot canoe, which was a little ridiculous considering the lake was really more like a large pond, but the kids and I enjoyed many adventures watching the birds, beavers and a really old Muskie that we called Moby Dick. How Moby Dick ended up in that tiny lake we'll never know but he used to enjoy rocking our dock when we were trying to fish. LOL!

Life changed again when my hubby died and we moved back down south to the comforting arms of my family. For several years life was too chaotic to even think about paddling. Then I met my current hubby, moved to London, opened a business and bought a trailer in Port Bruce on the northern shore of Lake Erie.

My actual addiction began when a friend loaned me his cheap little inflatable kayak. I remember that day so clearly, paddling along the shore of Lake Erie, then up the river, watching the birds and soaking up the peaceful reflections of the lush green vegetation on the water. Determined to have one of my own I purchased a cheap Coleman kayak and enjoyed may hours paddling until the fateful day that I popped a seam. I knew right then if I wanted gear that wouldn't leave me padding home full of water I'd need to educate myself.

That same summer my father became sick and passed away. I was lucky enough to be able to go stay with him until he passed at home, in his own bed. When my family came up to support me and attend the funeral I was given the most amazing gift. I was going to become a Nana! Now it wasn't quite that romantic, the kids were 17. I realized what was happening one morning when I saw @dezziq throwing up on the compost pile. It wasn't easy but it was exciting.

Over the winter I researched many types of kayaks and using some of my inheritance I purchased my current inflatable kayak and gear. I'm so glad that I studied and really thought about what type of kayak fit my needs. My "yak" has been going strong for 12 years of consistent use and each time I inflate her I thank my Dad for the joy he left me.

Kayaking is not just an activity it's an experience that's never the same twice.

Until next time friends...