Re: [Paddlewise] Re: Trip Report - Paddling in the PNW (long)

I'm one of those go-go paddlers - lots of miles in a day, keep it moving, 
cover a lot of distance, always wondering what's around the next corner 
(headland), looking for the next set of overfalls/race/hydraulic cauldron or 
navigational challenge. About the only time I "slow down" is when I spend 
intimate time in a tight rock garden. I rarely take pictures and certainly 
don't have the energy to sketch after landing, let alone any natural 
intrinsic abilities in the art department. However, a trip, as do our lives, 
pass by rather quickly and it can be difficult to commit to memory some of 
the wonderful images, sights, and sounds experienced during a paddle trip. 
We all know memory becomes selective over time, but how about purposely and 
proactively choosing those impressionable times? What I tend to do is once 
or twice a day on a long trip or even a short outing, is to just stop 
paddling suddenly, sit still, and let the images and overall experience 
permeate into my brain and memory while I observe some of the tiniest 
details, infinite natural patters, or even close my eyes and just listen and 
smell (while static bracing). I've done this on trips with other paddlers 
too; often, they will turn back, shouting, "What's wrong Doug, finally 
getting tired, eh?!" or "Can't keep up anymore!?"

No, I'm burning the moment into my harddrive...

I can still taste, smell, and hear the images from one of those "stop, look, 
listen and feel" moments from a few years ago about a mile off the Maquina 
Cliffs of Nootka Island: The cragy cliff face, the rumble of surf at the 
base, the diminishing dark-green of each receading tree-lined mountain 
range, the undulating swell, splashing whitecaps, seabirds soaring, the 
salty tang of sea air, the glistening sun-diamonds sparkling off the water, 
the roiling foam, and rogue Orca plying in the afternoon seas far from the 
prying eyes of tourist rift-raft. Okay, so basic west coast paddling in the 
afternoon on the open sea. But I don't need pictures or even my log book to 
relive these wonderful experiences, even if only certain moments.

Doug Alderson describes his impression of one of those moments along the 
cliffs later in the text of the following article. But words never do 
justice either. Well, Dave Kruger may be one exception - that oddly 
irreverent, ocean inamarato who paints a fine sketch with words alone that 
seem to come from some place deep within his consolidated kayaker's mojo.

http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/1998/am98nootka.php

Having said all this, pictures, movies, sketches, and written words can 
never convey the ionized energy we paddlers soak in during those special 
moments in time along the coast in our respective places we hold dear to our 
hearts.

Doug Lloyd



> G'day Paddlewise
> That was a thought provoking link Doug!
>
> Something I've found in sketching is how much more I learn to see.
> On advocacy. I've long thought that people who have the opportunity to 
> visit a beautiful place have the potential to do a great service by 
> describing it. This isn't to encourage visits and tourism but simply to 
> create the appreciation for these places that just might help them survive 
> or at least be a remembrance when they are lost.
>
> Regarding photographs, I think they are ideal as a way of recording 
> activities, friends, techniques and trashings in the surf! Its a tougher 
> proposition to recreate the spiritual or emotional response an environment 
> might create. While memory is fallible it doesn't invade the moment and 
> the greater freedom that comes with writing, painting, sketching or story 
> telling come into their own. I've often wondered what it would be like to 
> hear to hear some of the Paddlewise stories spoken aloud by the writers!
>
> Having said all that I was taken by two scenes Mark just posted. The title 
> photo's to Cliff's of Nuaces and Homecoming.
> Thanks for the link Doug and thanks Mark for those photo's.
>
> All the best, PeterO 
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