[Paddlewise] May Paddling Adventure

Hailey, my favorite 8-year-old, has been a kayaker since she was an infant.
She learned to walk by using the stack of whitewater kayaks at the lake
house, she paddled solo at age three (albeit in circles and with her mom and
me hanging around close), and last year she paddled the Coaster and learned
that edging made it easier to turn. So when Sue and I were told that we'd
have her for part of the weekend I gathered up all the kayaks and gave
Hailey her choice for a paddlling adventure. She chose the Express and
became the frist in our group to paddle that boat.

So yesterday, after school, she and I loaded ourselves into the boats (me in
the F-1) and set off. We paddled north... then south.... then east.... then
west... then more south... then north.... and an impromptu race east (whcih
I (ahem!) won)... and finally, as it was getting dark, west to find a
campsite.

By this time it was almost dark and we felt lucky to find a place to camp
while we could still see a little. The campsite was in a grove of trees
(three) only 20 feet from the water's edge. We landed at a rickety dock and
pulled the boats to safety on the shore and then set up the tent. After a
catered dinner we retired to our tent and camp cots for a harmonica duet. It
was getting a little nippy out and Hailey made a try at talking me out of my
one blanket but then her bed warmed up and she decided to let me keep it.
Once the lantern was out she asked me for a story but when I told her that
classic old tale about "The Hook" she got mad at me for telling her a scary
story. Go figure.

This morning (Saturday) she and I were up early and in the daylight
discovered that we had camped in the back yard of the lake house. I guess we
must've gotten a bit turned around what with all those changes in direction.
The joke was on us. There was nothing left but to go inside, have breakfast,
and watch a movie on tv. (This did explain the "catered dinner", however.)

But first Hailey wanted to hear the rest of the story about "The Hook".

Go figure.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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