Momma Went Kayak-y!

For some reason most Bahamians call kayaking, Kayak-y...hence the title here :) Warning... this post is a bit lengthy... just so you know!

Again, back in May, I was able to go on my first kayaking expedition with our company. I was able to do a sailing expedition years ago when we worked for the previous owners. So this was my first camping trip with guests since we purchased our company. I was very excited! It was also my first trip away from my boys for more than two nights since Joss was born. I was nervous, but still excited. I am finally to the point where I can leave them with Dallas or my folks and be confident that they are okay and will be, that I will be okay and that we all need a little break from each other from time to time. It was a refreshing week for me. 

Photo courtesy of Steve H. 

 It was also a week of 'training' for me in a way. I'm hoping to do some guided trips for us soon too, and this was a starter course for me in that direction. The outfitter that does his trips with us let me tag along on his trip, and it was a great way to get my feet wet, literally, on guiding a trip. Okay, so I'll try not to harp on this point...but one thing I am taking notes on from this picture of me above is DRESS LIKE A GIRL! I am wearing one of Dallas' shirts (because it was super comfy and served the multi-function purpose I needed), I am wearing his hat (again, it served a purpose and offered more sun protection than one of my baseball caps or visors), and third I am wearing an old pair of his sunglasses (mine broke a while ago and I just started wearing what we had available). UGH... Without being about to see my feminine rings you could totally mistake me for a boy...must girly this up somehow :) Back to the trip. I was able to scoop up this starfish with my paddle as we were going for the first one of the trip... it was a fun hit with the group. 

 Our first campsite was at Brigantine Cay. Took about 2.5 hours from our launch spot with a quick pit stop along the way. The paddling was so easy this trip because the waters were really calm. I was glad I had been doing my P90X and Insanity though because I definitely didn't want to get out there and look like a total 'noob' (as gamers call it) with the paddling. I did, however, feel like a noob when we pulled up to the beach and Steve, our guide, told everyone they could just bring their cups and bowls/plates to the kitchen area if they want. "WHAT!?!? I didn't pack that stuff, how on earth did I miss that on the packing list? CRAP, I'm going to have to beg and barter to get something to eat with this week." I did manage to empty out my plastic gatorade container, you know the orange ones that the powder comes in... yeah.. that was my bowl/plate for about half the trip and Steve graciously let me borrow an extra spork he had. Dallas brought me some later on in the week, but I'll get to that. I WON'T make that mistake again. We have that stuff packed in with our kitchen stuff on our trips so it just did not register for some reason when I was going over the packing stuff. 

 I took a little notebook that I jotted down a few notes along the way because I knew it would be a while before I would sit down to write this post. I have lots of comments with a :) or a :( after them. Those being my equivalent of pros and cons essentially :) For instance, the first day's notes include things like: 

"Saw a Lemon Shark right away :)"

"Mother-nature's monthly visitor decided to stowaway with me on the trip :("

"Dinner was great :) but the flies were horrible :("

"Had a great phone call with Joss tonight!!! :) :) :)"

"Bunkered down inside my tent hearing mosquitoes swarm all around :("

Get the idea?? 

 The first day's weather was actually really good. The next couple days were on and off raining, cloudy skies so our pretty sunshine hardly came out to dry things up and very little wind which meant lots of bugs to deal with. NOT GREAT in comparison to the wonderful weather I know we could have had. Makes it tough when folks are only visiting a short time and we (as in Exuma) want to put our best foot forward and the weather just doesn't cooperate. Although, I will say this, paddling in the rain was actually really peaceful. The sound of the raindrops trickling in the water all around me was amazing. There was no wind which made it is easy to hear the lovely aquatic melody. :) 

Our second campsite was at Normans Pond Cay, pictured above. The paddle over from the Brigantines to Normans Pond is a really big and exposed area to paddle. I know it has given Dallas' groups in the past trouble on rough and windy days. We had a really good day for the crossing, but as I was paddling along with the group and watching Steve instruct the group at certain points and breaks, it really hit home how incredibly mindful I will have to be out there on the water. I mean, I know how much Dallas does out there and a lot of what it entails, but this is a reason I'm out there training and not sitting at my desk watching videos and just talking to people. The reality of it all really opens your eyes. 

Photo courtesy of Mike & Sheueling

Steve was helping me work on my kayak roll. I still don't have it down, but will get there someday, hopefully. Thanks for these photos Sheueling :)  

Photo courtesy of Mike & Sheueling

We had a layover day at Normans Pond (which means we spent two nights here). Most of the group got up and headed to the northern end and eastern side off the island to do a little sightseeing, snorkeling, and paddling. It was a good way to escape all the bugs that were still bothersome at camp. We all were always anxious to get out on the water. No bugs out there :) And check out this photo above.... It really wasn't a poorly exposed shot, with your eyes you could barely see where the horizon ended and the sky began it was so calm. 

 We tried going into this salt pond that is only accessible at high tide, but if you can imagine the bug issue we had at the beach, then the bugs in here where there is sitting water was ten times worse. We paddled in just the entrance here and you are serenaded with the hums of mosquitoes....RETREAT!!! We were all evac-ing as quickly as we could. This paddle was one of my favorites. We paddled the length of the island and we were in really shallow water. The water being so calm gave us incredible clarity. I was watching fish dart into their holes and then peek back out at me as I paddle overhead. I could see all sorts of little ledges and holes. It was a great way to see things along the way.After a 4 mile paddle we had reached our snorkel destination.It was so nice to be in the water and just enjoying the sites. Felt weird without a little dude attached to my back and one hanging on my arm, but it was still enjoyable :)

 I enjoyed being able to spot things and point things out to people. See this little sting ray below... he was a little trickier to find. 

 These sea slugs were all over the place up in the cays. I can honestly say I've never seen as many as I did this week. I'm sure I've seen them before, but I really don't remember it. They were very interesting little creatures, and for some reason every time I saw them I would giggle. I know Joss and Emit would get a kick out of them. We'll have to find some for them the next time we go up that way. 

 I have in my notes that I was praying for sunshine this day. Just wanted it to come out for a while to dry everything out, run off some bugs and make it really pretty. No sunshine came :( At least my underwater friends didn't let me down. Still had fun exploring below the surface. 

Beautiful anemone 

 

Our meal times were very different than they are on our guided trips. We would all pitch in and take turns with the cooking and dishes and prep and everything. On our guided trips, Dallas and his second guide (if he has one) preps all the meals, cooks all the meals and cleans up after all the meals. On one hand the phrase "too many cooks in the kitchen" comes to mind and having one or two cooks in charge would be easier. On the other hand... I have a wonderful husband that works his TAIL off on our trips and makes me so proud!

Photo courtesy of Mike & Sheueling

On Normans Pond Cay we have land dwellers as well as our neighbors in the sea. Luckily these Rock Iguanas usually prefer to be left alone, so they do the same to you.

Photo courtesy of Mike & Sheueling

Below is our fearless leader, Steve. Cool fact about Steve.... we met him when we took over the company in 2008 and learned that he and Joss were born in the same hospital :) He lives on the other side of the country now... but we always make a big deal about it when Steve is in town.

Steve is one of our favorite outfitters. He is also a Pastor, and this trip had a spiritual retreat aspect to it that was great. He had scriptures and quotes and daily discussions and devotions we did together. To me it really added to the experience out there. 

Photo courtesy of Mike & Sheueling

The group (minus Sheueling) above have a little pit stop, potty break, power bar refuel at a beach along the way to our next spot.....

Twin Beaches, on Lee Stocking Island was one of the highlights on this trip. And I think that is a safe assessment from the whole group. Ironically, this is the same place where we get to practice our lightning drills too...but I'm getting ahead of myself here. The sunshine finally came out for a little while this day, and the wind was picking up... 2 for 2!

We got to the top of these cliffs and Steve, who has been very cautious with the group up to this point, says, "I've wanted to jump off these rocks for years now....I'm gonna do it!" I think, "WAIT, shut the front door...you are going to JUMP off of this cliff into that little bitty sandy spot there that you may or may not even be able to jump the distance out to reach? NO WAY!" But sure enough he jumped, and survived to tell the tale, but jeepers...I was trying to recall any bit of first aid knowledge I had and think through my plan for evacuation.

Photo courtesy of Steve H. 

I love these shots up here on the cliff. It was such a great afternoon and tranquil location. It was also a day that I knew I would get to see Dallas and my boys. They were running up the cays to pick up a kayaker that did a one-way trip, so they stopped by to see us, dropped off some nice cold cokes and picked up our trash, whooo hooo, less to haul around with us. And oh yeah, this is when he brought me a bowl, spoon and coffee mug!!!!!! I finally got to enjoy some coffee the following afternoon, I missed you my friend!

Photo courtesy of Steve. H

 Steve and I talked throughout the week of different aspects of the trips, different scenarios on the water paddling, safety, food, gear, just lots of things to give me info and insight. He was like my very own Mr. Miyagi, Thanks Steve!!

Photo courtesy of Steve H. 

Our sunny afternoon felt like such a treat, and this coming from someone that could almost get sick of the sunny days we get so many... but we had had a long stretch of rain up to this point, and this break was much appreciated. "Too much booty in da pants" pops into my head here too :) 

I snapped this little shot in my tent. These were the trinkets the boys chose (or I chose) to take with me for the week. We try to always send Dallas out with a little toy or something that they pick out for him to have as a 'reminder' out there. Not like we're going to be forgetting each other any time soon... but it has just become a little thing we do. So, I have my phone that I got just before this trip :) And it is a pay as you go plan that is pretty much just so I can text and call Dallas. It helps when he is out on his trips too because texting goes through better than calls in some spots, but it was so nice to have some kind of contact with them out there. The two dinosaurs are Joss' little trinkets. The brontosaurus, I believe (we're not big in dinos yet to know all the names) was because one day as we were watching Land Before Time Joss asked specifically for this dinosaur. We found about 8 others and he kept describing it to me saying, "No, I want the one with the really long neck that is looking back." I love how he truly knows his toys and enjoys them at different times. And the other little dino there is one he got an afternoon when he were having lunch at Palm Bay. He calls it a kangaroo and I just love it :) He also drew me those hearts that I taped and used as a little bookmark. And Emit's trinket is the big blue button. I was working on sewing some buttons on a shirt and had my stash of buttons out and Emit went crazy over all of them. He held on to this one for about a day and a half. It was already 'old news' by time I was packing and leaving, so I knew he wouldn't be heartbroken if I borrowed it. It usually makes them feel special if we 'borrow' their toy for the week like this :) My little trinkets from home!

Okay, so... I had been anxiously awaiting Dallas and the boys all day, not knowing when I'd be seeing them. As I rinsed off in the ocean and watched these clouds rolling in (the opposite side of the island than where Dallas would be coming in) I was just praying that something had happened to make them stay home because this was not looking pretty. Well, it is pretty, but not to be stuck in with little ones in the boat or on a beach camping. Sure enough, soon after I walked to the other side of the beach this is what I saw coming toward me...

 I was so excited to see them, but so bummed that they were 1) just getting up here (it was already late afternoon and they had to go up still before going back home) and 2) the weather was turning on us and was worrying me for them. I still got to get my hugs and kisses in though even though they couldn't stay long. Emit was so sad that I couldn't go with them :( made me really sad. 

Photo courtesy of Chaz

 We were working on dinner when the rain clouds trampled us. The bottom really fell out. Even with the rain pouring down his back Chaz was all smiles!

Photo courtesy of Chaz

Keep in mind, my fellas are all still up in the cays and haven't passed by on their way home yet-- I could have weathered this storm no problem without that added bit of stress. After about 10 minutes (or more) of really heavy rainfall, I had the panicky realization "I LEFT MY RAIN FLY OPEN ON MY TENT!!!" Holy smokes, I took off sprinting down the beach knowing that when I got there it was going to be a disaster. It really wasn't AS bad as it could have been given the rain, but my camera (out of its waterproof case) was sitting right in the middle of the rain coming in. UGH, talk about wanting to kick myself really hard in the pants. Again, another mistake I probably won't have to make twice, at least I hope not. 

Photo courtesy of Chaz

Steve just barely got out the instructions to everyone for what to do if the lightning gets too close and we need to do our "Lightning Drill". Less than 5 minutes after he went over we were scattered in position. Chaz took this shot above. Remember, my camera was dead at this point. It rained and thundered a bit longer and then it finally let up. I was very anxious to see my boys at this point. They finally came back by and I waded out to give Dallas the camera to see if he could take it home with him and get it working again... the rice trick seemed to work btw. He said they had been on the out skirts of the heavy rain so they were faring well. I felt better after this, but I wanted them to get home and let me know they were safe so I could take a deep breath of relief.  That night I was in my tent by 7pm reading, writing and texting to the peaceful drops of rain on my text. The rain was a much welcomed relief to the bugs... so it was very pleasant. My tent stayed perfectly dry when the rain fly was in place :) 

I wish I had a photo to capture the night events... but nothing really portrays it. I could hear the water rising higher and wondering if my tent was about to get wet. The rainfly prevents your view to see this well. Sometime in the middle of the night I hear people out and about and the next thing I know there is someone right outside of my tent. I find out it is Chaz and Jackson out in the rain rescuing the girls and their tent and some of the kayaks and gear from floating away. They assure me my tent is safe from the water, so that helps but I also feel bad for staying dry and cozy in my tent. Again, on one of our guided trips... this wouldn't be the case. 

Photo courtesy of Chaz

Our final camp site was on Rat Cay... not named for its inhabitants. It's a lovely cay on a beautiful crossing that gave us a wonderful breeze. We spent the afternoon snorkeling, doing a knots class, talking about favorite books and movies and my first cup of coffee for the week! It was so refreshing and so enjoyable.

Photo courtesy of Chaz

The afternoon and evening on Rat Cay was full of laughs, joking and lively conversation. It's always fun to see how a group comes together at the end of week like this.

Photo courtesy of Steve H. 

FINAL PADDLE DAY!!!! And boy was it eventful. We were all pumped to be heading in after the week out, but it was also just getting good, in a way.

Photo courtesy of Steve H. 

 The rain came and did not let up. We got close to shore just as the really hard surge hit. You can just barely see the land and docks below (which was where we were heading). I do remember hearing tunes from the 90's and early 2000's from a few kayaks over :) Jen & Jill were tearing up some fun songs for us all the enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Steve H. 

 We got all the gear up, out of the water and were waiting on Dallas with the truck and it just kept pouring. 

Photo courtesy of Chaz

As per usual, Steve was giving me tips on the safety issues and 'guide' bits to remember in this weather, situation and setting in general.

Photo courtesy of Chaz

This week was crazy and buggy and rainy and cloudy and felt awful at times, but I look back on it now with very fond memories, lots of laughing, and good times that were had a midst the adverse weather or bug situation we were in. I loved the experience and I loved being out there! I'll leave you with one of the many great quotes from our reflection journals we had: 

"In wild places wild things can happen, things that shake us to the core and remind us that our God is a wild God." - Susan Mangam