RE: [Paddlewise] Paddling Quirks

> This fear has been described before:
> "In an entirely different setting, early twentieth century Danish
> explorers
> found Greenland Eskimo hunters who suffered "kayak angst". While
awaiting
> seals to hunt on a sunny day out on calm seas the afflicted would, out
of
> the blue, have difficulty breathing, experience racing hearts and fear
> imminent death. The subjects would race back to land and flee into
their
> igloos, some never emerging again."

Wow!  Interesting.  But, I'm happy to add that in my case, it's not so
much a huge fear and related panic attack as much as it just makes me
very uncomfortable and I'd rather avoid it.  It doesn't stop me from
paddling, and it won't stop me if there is no avoiding it.  But given
alternatives, I'll elect to skip the water tunnels (no different than
sea caves, really) and going under bridges.  Hence, I call them quirks
rather than fears.

But, a little off topic, my wife crossed the bridge/tunnel going between
Hampton and Norfolk to and from work almost every day for 10 years, then
one day coming home, she had to pull over on the shoulder before
reaching the bridge thinking that she was having a heart attack.  It
took her over an hour to feel like she could finish the drive.  Turned
out to be a panic attack, and for another year she had lots and lots and
lots of trouble with that and only that particular tunnel.  I had to go
get her a few times and went back with a friend to get her car.  She
ended up quitting work and became a stay-at-home mom with our kids.  I
tease her that that was her plot all along, but I'm smart enough that I
only tease her when the mood is right and she'll take it light
heartedly.  SEE!  I HAVE LEARNED A THING OR TWO AFTER 17 YEARS OF
MARRIAGE!  AND IT'S THAT AT ONLY 110 LBS, SHE CAN STILL KICK MY 180 LB
BUTT WHEN SHE WANTS TOO!  :-)

Rick  
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