First Solo Kayak trip!

I did it! I went on my first solo kayak trip and felt like Super Woman doing it!

I loaded the kayak, unloaded it, carried it to the lake and back, and had a lovely blast just me, myself and I. Although I did feel a little lonely as I drove to the reservoir alone, once I was on the water I loved the serene solitary time - just me and the abundant wilderness.

I figured out how a lone woman can move and transport a 50 pound kayak and overcame my fear that I couldn't enjoy kayaking alone. I'm going to share my Super Woman Solo Kayaking Adventure :) and explain how I did it in case you ever want to go kayaking alone. Or maybe to just send some inspiration your way for whatever it is that you are dreaming of doing. I learned that if I got creative and was determined enough, I was able to find solutions to what was keeping me from getting out in my kayak.

It is October which means winter is right around the corner. But in my neck of the woods we have been having extraordinary warm weather for the end of October. I felt a magnetic pull to get in my kayak during these gifted golden days.

 

But there were some PROBLEMS I had to solve if I was going to go alone:

1. How to load my kayak on and off by myself - the racks on our Toyota Sequoia were too high for me reach and lift my kayak on and off. I've always needed help and it was impossible for me to do alone.
2. How to haul my kayak from the car to the shore - It was always hard for me to carry the kayak even when I had help. I couldn't imagine how to haul it short of dragging it across the rocks and asphalt. Not good on the hull of the kayak!

After some determined researching, thinking and visualizing, I found some solutions:

SOLUTION #1

I found this great article on the web to help me see how to carry my kayak on my own. I'd never considered carrying it that way before! My sweet husband lifted the kayaks down off the Sequoia racks for me. Then I practiced lifting and carrying it in my back yard until I felt sure I could handle it. And I surprised myself how strong I was and how I really could manage it when I held it the correct way.

 

This picture is from that article. This is how I learned to carry my kayak with SUCCESS!

SOLUTION #2

Instead of using the racks on top of the Sequoia (since I would only be taking one kayak not two!) I folded all the seats down inside and tried sliding the kayak in from the back while I held my breath. If it fit I was one step closer to going kayaking. If not...no go.

The kayak's nose almost touched the dash board and it's shoulders (do kayaks have shoulders?) were wedged between the two front seats. As we closed the back hatch...it didn't fit. But when we opened the window on the back hatch, and then closed the back hatch, the end of the kayak barely stuck out through the open window. But the door closed! It would work! I jumped up and down and shouted for joy. My sweet husband and I high-fived. I felt my freedom burst its chains.

This is when my courage had to kick in. Would I really do it? Would I go on my own? Could I enjoy myself on the water ALL ALONE? For a split second I doubted myself and considered not going. But I knew I had nothing holding me back now but me. I would go! I grabbed some essentials (water shoes, life vest, sunglasses, bottle of water, and my watercolor kit) and hit the road.

I chose to go to Tibble Fork Reservoir. I had been there before with my kids and my mother and it was familiar. AND it has many of the elements I consider vital in an ideal kayak destination:

1. water is emerald green, clear and clean
2. majestic mountains cradle the reservoir
3. the shorline is ringed with trees and living green

I was a bit intimidated when I got there and remembered the looong switchback path leading from the parking lot down to the beach. Ok, so it's not LONG but seems long when I'm hefting a 50 pound kayak. But I DID IT! (huffing and puffing as discretely as I could!)

Because it was a holiday weekend there were families dotting the beaches all around the small reservoir so I really wasn't alone at all. That was comforting. But I was alone enough to feel brave and try out my new courage as well as bask in the sweetness of my solitude.

I paddled like a kid with abandon. I drifted on the still water as long as I wanted with no worry about time. I pulled out my travel sketch journal and poured my heart out onto the pages about why I love kayaking. What was this crazy passion all about? Then I watercolored the view in front of me dipping my paintbrush into the water outside my kayak as I painted. It felt very romantic and delicious!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stayed until the sun dipped behind the distant mountains and a chill filled the air. I managed (with much grunting and determination) to lug the kayak back up to the parking lot and when I did it felt amazing! I swear epic music was playing in the background with a powerful crescendo just as I topped the hill. Sweet victory!

It was on this trip that the idea for this blog came to my mind and penetrated my heart. I had to share these experiences! It was just to beautiful to keep to myself.

So thanks for coming along! Next time I'll write about my near catastrophe on my way to Payson Lakes! Whew, it was a close one.

Please leave your kind comments and sign up to follow by email (by entering your email to the right above my profile picture) if you'd like to come with me on my future adventures. I'd love to know I'm not alone here! :)

In friendship and kayaking,

LaRayne

 

Posted with Blogsy