Monday, January 25, 2021

Maiden Voyage. Hopefully Not Last Voyage


This morning Mr. Moon said that he had gotten a text from Vergil asking if he or we wanted to take the kayak out today on the Wacissa. He and the boys were going. Monday's are Jessie's day to get things done while Daddy has the kids and he likes to take them on adventures. So my husband asked if I would like to go. 
My initial reaction to anything involving me stepping out of my rut routine is NO! PLEASE NO! I immediately went into a bit of an anxious state, knowing that it would be the best time, the best thing,  and at the same time trying to convince myself that it was fine to stay at home and get things done here. Like, oh, you know- making the bed and doing the laundry. The so very important things I do every day. 
I knew that was bullshit. So what if the bed didn't get made or the laundry didn't get done? I metaphorically kicked myself in the ass and told Glen that I'd think about it which for me in this situation meant obsessing about it. I decided I would go. Then I decided I wouldn't go. Then I didn't know. 
When the Weatherford men got here and they were all working at getting our new kayak inflated and the seats on and in and so forth, I asked August and Levon if they wanted the trip to be all men or for it to be men and Mer. 
They thought about this for a moment and then, either to my delight or my disappointment, they said, "Men and Mer."
So. Okay. That was that. If they wanted me to go, I would go. 
I packed some pimento cheese sandwiches and tangerines and Doritos chips and some guava wafer cookies, water, and towels and finally the guys had everything ready. 
Off we went to the river. The water was quite high due to all the rain we've been getting and the boys ran around while Boppy and Vergil got the kayaks into the river and all set up. 


Now, at this point in the story I must remind you that Mr. Moon and I have kayaked exactly twice before. Both times in the Sebastian River while we were staying down in Roseland. Not only that but the seat situation in our new kayak was a little funky. It's what they call an angler's kayak, more set up for fishing than anything else. But we managed to get into the beautiful pea green boat and Vergil handed me my paddle and said, "Here. Y'all can work on your marriage."
Haha!
It turns out that it's not our marriage that needs work, it's our paddling. And steering, specifically. We kept bearing right for whatever reason but we managed and we laughed a lot. We saw some beautiful birds and a nice little alligator sunning on a log. 


Definitely a juvenile but a small thrill to see on a warm day. I'm sure he was out warming his blood. Our presence did not seem to disturb him. He was in what is called The Blue Hole, a very, very deep part of the river that you have to go down a little separate waterway to find. 


By this time I was ready to get out of the boat and stand up for awhile and so we beached and had our picnic. 


While we were there Vergil and Mr. Moon tried to rearrange the seats in our boat to make steering easier but when we got back in the kayak after lunch, we discovered that things were now even worse and we were literally going in circles for awhile and we all laughed and laughed and laughed. It was so silly but so fun. We finally figured out that the best way to go about it was to let me paddle and Mr. Moon steer from the rear of the boat. So that's how we got home and I have to say that I felt quite butch and bad ass about the fact that I did the paddling but I am going to be sore as hell tomorrow and that's all there is to it. 

When we were almost back to the dock, an alligator who had been swimming, ducked under and caused a large splash which was a bit shocking. "Good Lord, don't let us capsize," I thought. 
We didn't. 

Oh! Here's some turtles. 


We spotted many logs with turtles lined up on them, also taking the sun. Look at the ancient foot on that big one! 

So it was a wonderful day and of course I am so very glad I went. We even found some worms that a fisherman had left and we brought them home for our gardens. I think we all had a good time. 


And I am so grateful to Vergil for asking us to go and also, for encouraging us to get the kayak to begin with. And of course, for being patient with his elderlylish in-laws, Boppy with his bad shoulder, crazy-long legs and Mer with her bad wrist and inability to sit for too a long a time in one position and inclination to announce, "I'm tired."
But not in a bitchy way! 
And for his ability to laugh along with us or possibly at us. He's such a sweetheart. 

Here I go to limp off to make our supper. 

Love...Ms. Moon



37 comments:

  1. Making more fond memories, so much fun! Soaking in some epsom salt might help with your soreness. Have a sweet night.

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    1. It was really fun, e. Believe it or not, it's Mr. Moon who does most of the salt-soaking around here. I don't think I have the tolerance for baths anymore.

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  2. Did you take the bird picture? It is fabulous!

    Julia

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    1. I did. It was just luck. Point and keep clicking.

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  3. I have an intention to say 'YES!' to things I used to say no to. No baby alligators for me, but new and wonderous experiences just the same. I'm glad you had a good day; the aches and pains will be worth it. xo

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    1. I wish I did. I have to force myself these days. It gets harder and harder even though I know that YES is almost always better than no.

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  4. Well done on your kayaking adventure! Now that you have got the hang of it perhaps you and Mr Moon should aim for a greater challenge. May I suggest The Apalachicola River? It's only 430 miles long. Daily blogposts from the voyage would be a delight to read.

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    1. We have talked about that before! Maybe not the whole river but perhaps a little of it. I'd love to do that.

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  5. what an adventurous day for you! Good for you! And may you rest well tonight.....you MUST be tired and sore!
    susan m

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  6. I am compelled to say Mr. Wetherford is one fine daddy. Those will be a couple of fine boys he's raising.

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    1. He really is, Joanne. Glen and I observe the way he is with his boys and it's a beautiful thing. Jessie sure picked a fine daddy-man.

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  7. "Take that, you rut!" What a fabulous outing. How sweet that the boys wanted Mer on the maiden voyage (but wait - where were the maidens?). And I second Joanne about one fine daddy and a couple of fine boys.

    Chris from Boise

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    1. I have to admit- the boys did hesitate before they answered "Men and Mer". They had to think about it. They probably knew I'd bring treats.
      I guess our kayak was the maiden!

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  8. Brave lady! Brave and more fit than just about anyone I know- great job and glorious photos! Of course i shiver to see the barefoot boys wearing shorts- it is 30 degrees here!

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    1. It was seventy five degrees here yesterday! Seventy-two today. And...on Thursday, it's supposed to get down into the mid thirties again.

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  9. Alligators! No, thanks! This northerner is happy you had so much fun, though! Precious memories were made.
    Debbie

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    1. If you're afraid of gators, you simply can't get on or in a river here. Or big lake, for that matter. They're just a fact of life and generally, they leave us alone. I do not want to ever see one close up while I'm swimming- don't get me wrong. But truly mosquitoes are much more of a nuisance.

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  10. God, I went kayaking recently, and getting out was near impossible! I’m glad you had fun!

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    1. When I was getting out on the bank where we pulled up to eat lunch after I'd been sitting in the same position for a long time I said, "This is not going to be pretty." And it wasn't.

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  11. What a grand adventure! And terrific photos. Quite a nice break from your "rutine."

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  12. Oh lucky you, having a real "Where the Crawdads Sing" adventure. Good for you for saying yes to it. You never regret it do you - well maybe tonight with a sore shoulder - who knows. And I hope you "took some honey and plenty of money wrapped up in a five-pound note" in your pea green boat!

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    1. That's so funny, Ms. Treaders. When we were paddling back to the dock I started reciting The Owl and the Pussycat but couldn't remember it all. I love that poem so very much and have a copy of it that is so beautifully illustrated. And our kayak is definitely pea green.

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  13. Look at you! Leaving your comfort zone behind. Good on you.

    I'm glad you went and glad you had a good time. Those boys will remember.

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    1. Those sweet boys are so used to being on river adventures that I doubt they'll remember this one specifically but I hope they do remember that Mer and Bop went with them sometimes.

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  14. oh what fun. I remember my first canoe camping trip before I became a guide and really learned how to paddle. went with a girlfriend and it was like that, lots of laughter and figuring things out. I'm so glad you went and I really miss the rivers.

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    1. I have much more experience canoeing than I do kayaking. My girl scout troop did a lot of that. I know you must miss the rivers so very much. You should try to get out on one sometime soon.

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  15. Well I'm so glad you went on that adventure and I'm sure you are too. I love your photos of the Florida wildlife. They make me homesick! That last photo of Levon and August is hilarious, too. It's so encouraging to know those kids are learning to love the wilderness.

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    1. The wilderness is simply part of their life now. Far more than say, the mall. Which makes me very happy. And will make them better and saner humans, I think, as they grow up.
      I bet you do miss some parts of Florida and others not at all!

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  16. Well, that looks like it was a fabulous trip! A great time was had by all. (NO to the alligator, tho!)
    Yes that was so much better than staying home to do chores!
    Thanks for sharing your joyful day!

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    1. And the funny thing is- I got the bed made and the laundry done anyway. Of course. And it would not have mattered if I hadn't.
      Alligators are just a fact of life around here. They aren't out to get us. Mostly.

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  17. So glad you decided to go- I exactly know the feeling,the desire for the safe choice.It sounds like a wonderful day.

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  18. I never want to do things. Then I'm always glad I did. So you had a lovely time. I doubt you gave much thought to the important laundry
    One of my favorite sights is a row of turtles sunning on a log.

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  19. What an adventure! Your heron photo is amazing.
    Aligators!!

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  20. Wow, that sounds like a wonderful hilariously fun adventure, Mer and the men. I'm so impressed with your badassery. Also, those nature boys.

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.