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| Fraser river near Douglas island Sept 2010 |
I took up kayaking about 4 months ago after wanting to do so for years. Always thought it was much better than canoeing. First of all the boat is sleeker and low-slung. You also sit more comfortably than I've ever felt in a canoe- it even feels a bit like a cockpit of an indy race car- not that I've been in one. But it feels like that looks. kayaks are typically one-person affairs too which suits me fine. They turn faster, travel in shallower water. They're just better in my opinion.
Getting one was part of an urge I've had to get doing something for myself. I'm currently going through a divorce and a lot of things are in process of change as a result. It's a good time for self examination. One of the things I've recognized is that I want more adventure and spontenaeity in my life. Exploring new waterways fit the bill perfectly. The adventure has not been dangerous, so far anyway. Nearby rivers, lakes, and the ocean have allowed for snap decisions to go out and explore, and once the equipment was bought, there's no more cost so I haven't had to worry about affordability.
I went out on borrowed and rented kayaks twice this summer, first on Hornby island, and second in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. I was hooked and knew I had to buy one. On the drive home with my brother that summer afternoon, I talked about how cool it would be to explore every bit of water in the lower mainland by kayak. I would take pictures, journal about what I saw, heard, smelled- you name it. He said: "You should make a Blog about it. It would be like that movie Julia and Julie where the main character attempts to cook through a Julia Childs cookbook and write about her experiences." At the time I tought 'I don't know. I set up a Blog 5 years ago and never got past the title'.
