[Paddlewise] Paddling Quirks

Okay, I'm going to expose myself for all to see (figuratively, so no


need for barf bags).  I've got two paddling quirks that I'll admit to,


and I'm interested in hearing what some of your quirkiness might be.


Here goes...





 





I get a bit panicky when paddling under bridges - the smaller the


bridge, the larger the discomfort.  I don't know why, but I get creeped


out hearing the cars passing above me, and I don't like getting close to


the pillars or abutments, or whatever the concrete structures are called


that are in the water holding the bridge up.  The faster I can get


through it, the better.  Being "on" bridges is not a problem in the


slightest, nor is being under them on dry land.  But if I'm under one


and in a boat, bad things go through my mind.  Same sort of thing with


tunnels.  I can go through a tunnel in a car, on a bike or on foot and


never think twice, but if I have to pass through a tunnel by boat, I'd


just as soon turn around and go home.  One water tunnel that comes to


mind is the Paw Paw tunnel on the Potomac River way up in West Virginia.


There is a man-made canal that runs parallel to the river, and goes for


about 150ish miles.  It's the C&O Canal Tow Path once used for


commercial ventures in the 1800's (now part of the National Park


system).  The tunnel is a short-cut that goes through a mountain.


Anyway, I'll go the long way around, thank you very much.





 





Second, I don't like getting anywhere near big ships if I'm in a kayak


or a motor boat.  We've seen some pictures from P'Wisers of paddlers


under the bow of battleships and so forth.  Count me out!  It gives me


the chills to be on the water in a little craft that close to a big one.


I can be "on" the big one, or I can be near it if I'm well above the


water line.  But, I can't be around the waterline of a big boat if I'm


in a little boat.  And bear in mind that I'm not talking about moving


ships here -  I'm talking about vessels at anchor.





 





There you have it - I'm a freak!





 





Now, what about the rest of you?  Got any peculiarities that you'd care


to share?  Bear in mind that if nobody else shares, then I'm going to


feel like a real idiot, so have a heart and help me out here!  :-)





 





Rick - from Poquoson (Algonquin Indian word meaning "Rick's a chicken")











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