Just Another Manic Sunday; Treading Water

First, let it be known that I love to kayak. I’ve kayaked the Snake River rapids.    

Yet here it is: September, and I haven't been in the kayak all summer.  Between what seemed like constant rain and a back injury, I’ve been a homebody.   So when Mel messaged, “Hey, you want to go out in the kayaks tonight?”  

HECK YEAH!  

PERK: The city had just cleaned up and opened a lake area very close to my house, and I hadn't been there.

Yes, count me in; I’ll meet you there.  

I have an Oru Lake origami-style kayak.  The last time I was out last year, the seat was an issue for me because it didn’t support my back.   I had ordered what looked like a universal seat at that time, but hadn’t ever used it, so this was to be the virgin outing with it.  

Immediately, I realized it was not going to be a great match, but I was confident that I could tie it in, ahem, ‘good enough’ to make it work.  Why not?  

I should know better.   I really should know better.  Still, sometimes I like to seize the opportunity to do dumb shit (or so it would seem).  

Almost immediately, the seat flipped, and I was sitting on the back with the seat up between my thighs and calves.   Not the most comfortable, not to mention limited visibility. Let’s see if I can stuff something behind me to support me a little better.  This will work, I say, as I take off paddling to the center of the lake.   I must have looked like a baby speedboat with all the weight in the back and the front sticking out of the water.  I was suddenly and quickly taking in so much water that it was time to bail out—meaning, time for me to abandon the kayak and jump out.  

I’m out of the kayak; it’s underwater. God only knows where my phone went, and whew, at least my car keys are still in my pocket.   For the record, yes, I have a water bag.  No, I did not bring it with me.  

Fortunately, while not a great swimmer, I can tread water forever. Even when wearing a life jacket still adjusted for last year’s larger body. So after grabbing various belongings and handing them off to Mel, I towed my now-upside-down kayak to the closest shore.   While dumping water out of it, I found my phone!  YAY—I really thought it was at the bottom of the lake.  And Double YAY—it was still on and working.  

Mel kept the rest of my stuff with her as I folded up my kayak and started walking around the lake to meet her on the other side.   About halfway, I realized I left my oar behind and had to go back after it.  

So, tonight's adventure did not go as planned.  

However, my phone still works, as do both of my hearing aids, and I got to hang out with Mel, who said, “Yes, we will do it again.” She didn’t even add, “OK, Boomer.”