I’ve had a long outstanding arrangement to take Jonathan out in one of our kayaks. Last week we agreed some mutually convenient times, and today we finally got out on the water.

It’s been a long time since we’ve taken the kayaks out. So long in fact that I’d forgotten how to secure them to the van. In the end had to ask Ginger to remind me how we did it. I was also momentarily confused when I couldn’t find the front anchor point. I probably looked quite funny rolling on the ground like an upturned tortoise peering under the front of the van looking for the anchor point. After a few seconds of fruitless searching I realized that the front of the van was probably removed when the transmission was re-built. That explained the missing anchor point. Now I’ll have to make a new one.

After that the loading and the subsequent unloading went without a hitch. Lake Springfield is only a fifteen minute drive away so we were soon on the water, and I was glad to know that even if I couldn’t remember how to fix the boats to the roof of the van, I could still paddle the darned things okay.

Jonathan had my kayak, and I took Ginger’s. I’d forgotten how relaxing and calming it is to go paddling, and we had a great paddle along the James River to the nature Center and back. After which we paddled around the lake for a short while. I put my feet up and had a rest while Jonathan explored.

I soon realized that Jonathan had disappeared off up wind, and I ought to go catch him up – I was also wanting to ask if he would like to have this auspicious event captured in pixels. Then I got distracted by the lilly pads. It really is astounding how water-repellent they are, and how much weight they’ll hold. I did some experimenting!

It was shortly after that, that I discovered Jonathan had already dragged his kayak out, so it was time to quit, and me without a picture of Jonathan in the kayak. Oh well.

I may not have got a picture, but I think he enjoyed our afternoon kayaking on Lake Springfield and the James River.

Support Stays on the van

Self Portrait – in a kayak on the James River

There were a few deer about in the brush – this one was much easier to get a picture of.

Our route – just a tad under two miles

Copyright © 2013 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.