Kayaking on the Pacific

            As I prepared for our adventure of kayaking on the ocean by pulling on a wet suit, buckling into a life vest, and snapping on a helmet, I was picturing a calm paddle from shallow water to not-too-deep water, and then around a bay. All this protection, however, especially the helmet, was making me a bit apprehensive and changing my thoughts. What could happen to cause a head injury, and how cold was it really going to be in the ocean depths? I guess falling off the kayak was possible, hence the vest.  I was soon to learn that kayaking on the Pacific Ocean was a bit different than kayaking on a calm, mountain lake, or even a bay, both of which we had done before. 

            Looking somewhat like a scuba diver, I walked with Don and twelve other people and two guides three blocks down to the beach where our guides explained just how we’d get onto our tandem kayak (affectionately known as a “divorce kayak”)  and out into the water.  So glad America’s Funniest Videos doesn’t have a video of that!  Needless to say, it was not a graceful process, but once we were aboard, our guide pushed us into the surf and our voyage truly began.

            Both of us paddled like mad to get over the first wave, out farther into the foaming breakers, up a large swell, and through a wave which crashed over the bow of the kayak. Oh hurray for the wetsuit!  Suddenly I realized two of our traveling companions had fallen off their kayak and were struggling to mount it again. Patting my life vest with affection, I continued to paddle, erratically smacking Don’s paddles with mine. While it was difficult to set up a rhythm, I doubt it would lead to divorce, especially since it was our forty-ninth anniversary.

            Exhilaration swept over me as my attention focused on the facts: We were out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, cormorants were diving in and out of the water as they fished, and I was looking at the most amazing shoreline comprised of cliffs and caves.  On the cliffs, many varieties of birds and a seal sat sunning themselves, and as the waves collided with the rocks at the cave entrances, white water sprayed into the air.  The interior of one of the caves was our original destination, but because of the roughness of the surf, our leader had us stay out. I suppose we might have gotten use out of the helmets had we gone in!

            After paddling out to sit atop a kelp forest, and get a lesson on the uses and advantages of kelp, we headed back toward the beach. Our guides set up a race which we almost won…well, fourth out of ten.. We were also given an opportunity to slip off the kayak into the ocean for a quick swim. So tempting!

            Too quickly, it was time to go one at a time toward the shore and hopefully catch a wave to ride on to the beach without flipping forward. Taking my cue from Don who used to body surf a lot, I waited and then paddled mightily at the right time to catch the wave. We did it!  Sliding onto the shore gave me a sense of accomplishment and yes, joy!  What a great adventure, one I’m sure we’ll repeat.
I need to add that our daughter bought this trip for us and gave it to us as a gift certificate. Not sure we would have been made aware of such fun without it. Thanks Jenifer!

County Fairs

I can close my eyes and “see, hear, smell, and feel” the FAIR. It doesn’t matter which one I’m thinking about; Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, or the California State Fair at Sacramento. Indelible memories are in my brain of these incredible events.

            Throw out almost any word and I have memories to match!  Animals - Gigantic, muscular Clydesdale horses strutting their stuff, buildings filled with cages of rabbits with spots, floppy ears, tall ears, and various lengths of hair, rows and rows of cows, pigs, goats, and woolly sheep; Flowers – billows of blossoms everywhere, in huge displays of numerous types of orchids, competitions for who grew the loveliest rose or largest sunflower, and gardening ideas sprouting from patios, walls, pools, and flowerbeds.

            The word Talent brings to mind children dancing, groups singing, and handcrafts ranging from smooth, wooden objects to intricately-patterned quilts. A whole day could be spent gazing and marveling at decorated cakes and cookies, canned jams and jellies, and a host of other delicious, homemade goodies. Just the tip of the iceberg!

            Ice…that reminds me of thirst-quenching drinks and all the food, healthy and not so, that can be found at the fair. Deep-fried Trix, Tang, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the newest items to emerge from boiling oil. Last year we saw avocados, Twinkies, and pickles cooked in grease, along with almost every other fried food one can imagine. Bar-be-que, corn on the cob, cream puffs, chocolate dipped ice cream on a stick, cinnamon rolls, and gingerbread all clamor for first place in my fair food dream.  

            Going back to my word-association exercise, the word Gadget makes me think of the commercial buildings where scores of “absolutely necessary” items are on display and their proponents actively promote the benefits and joys of owning them. Demonstrations of all types can be found in these buildings; how to transform vegetables into slices, cubes, or juice, how to clean jewelry, or how to get spots out of clothes and furniture using cleaning cloths made of the same easy-to-clean new-age-fabric. One time I even bought a beach jacket and a chamois made from the same stuff!

            Last word; Myriad -  Hundreds of impressions; art, architecture, people, music, horse racing, carnival, giant slide, bungie jumping, county displays, trains, rocks, jewelry, P-Nuttles, boats, RVs, school displays, spas. I could write a book, and almost got to when we had a verbal contract and press passes to the L.A. Fair. We spent nine days and nights walking around and interviewing people, but the project unfortunately fell through, but we have lovely memories. And guess what? We’re taking the train to the San Diego Fair next week. Never done that before!

Empty Nests

For several weeks, a dove has spent hours and hours sitting on her nest under the eaves of the carport at our house. Such an obedient little creature she was, following her instincts to keep her eggs warm and safe.  Almost like a pet to me, she got my greetings and “baby-talk” whenever I went outside, and she watched me with her soft, brown eyes.  I was excited for the day of hatching to arrive.  Her mate spent hours sitting with her as well, and to tell you the truth, I never saw the nest empty until last week, the day after we got home from our trip to Texas.  Once in a while this week I’d see her under the eaves, but most of the time, she was gone.

            I listened carefully for any peeping sounds of hungry babies, but heard nothing. Today I climbed up on my stepstool and took a picture of the inside of the nest by stretching up, placing the camera over the nest, and blindly snapping. When I looked at the picture, there were no birds, shells, or feathers in the nest.  All evidence of developing doves had disappeared.  I just don’t think the babies could have grown and flown away without us seeing anything. Very disappointing.

            Oddly enough, the same thing happened in our daughter’s yard this week, but with a darling hummingbird. She, too, sat on her tiny nest, only to disappear as well, leaving an empty nest when there should have been tiny, new birds.

            I can draw no conclusions or lessons from this experience except that this “empty nest” happens with humans as well, often taking us by surprise because we don’t expect it and have a tough time accepting the disappointment that lingers.