My Kayaking Adventure

There’s really nothing like paddling around in the middle of the water at eight o’clock at night, staring at the moon. Especially a full one. That was me, last night, twirling around with my family and friends in Wickford, on the Midnight Paddle tour of the Kayak Centre.

We first got there, and chose our very own kayak, a double for my parents, a single for me. Which I would soon learn was a very bad idea. So we launched into the water, splashing and laughing at our kayak-awkwardness. Especially compared to the pros who were leading the tour. When we were all fully in, one of them made a speech about how this job was “like herding cats,” and off we went.

At this point, I had utmost confidence in my kayaking ability. I thought, how hard can this be? I’m young, I’m strong, I’m in my own kayak, and it’s all good.  Especially when I looked over at my parents, un-synchronized and steering drunkenly. So we were off, winding though the harbor, trying to not hit any boats, or let any hit us. We finally came to a resting point, and by then, my muscles were burning. Don’t get me wrong, I was having so much fun, but this was certainly a lot of exercise. 

As we paddled around, I kept thinking to myself, do I even know how lucky I am? Out here, on the water with my family, seeing these amazing things? Even the fact that I live in a place that you can kayak in should speak for itself. Maybe it was just because I was reading The Kite Runner, that I was having all these grateful thoughts, but in all honesty, I am a very lucky girl.  

Sunset over the water was breathtaking, as was the full moon over the Newport Bridge. After a stop at the breakwater at the opening to Narragansett Bay, we started our return journey. It was dusk and I was soon thankful for our little break, because we didn’t stop. It got darker and darker and the moon got higher and higher and I got more and more tired. Who knew there would be this much kayaking on a kayaking tour? Nevertheless, it was fun.

We traveled back the way we came, and lugged our kayaks back onto shore.  We said our goodbyes and collapsed back into the car.

The views were awesome, the weather was perfect, and the company was wonderful. I highly recommend this tour for anyone that likes to kayak.  

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.

-- Loren Eiseley

Until next week,

Rach