Waiting for the storms to pass

It howled last night.  Wind rushed through the valley and battered my little tent. It poured, but — unlike the Great Divide trip — this time I had the real tent.  I only had to go out once, squatting like a caveman, pounding two stakes back into the ground.  This is me in the morning light, waiting patiently for the storm to pass so that I can get in the kayak without worrying about being struck by lightning while the winds drive me into the opposite shore.  It’s a very flattering picture; I’m surprised no one from GQ has used my contact info.

By 8:30, I was on the water again, as relaxed as I’ve been in a month.  I actually read my book for a while and took silly photos (they’re below) before simply reviewing what the heck is going on in my life.  It’s funny how much easier it was to think about life while driving to Pennsylvania and out on the lake than it is at home.  At home, I have too many things cooking at once.  Driving only allows two things:  pay attention to the road and let the mind drift.  Leaning back in the kayak means not even having to pay attention!  What joy.

Answers?  Nope.  None.  There’s some stuff I should do when I get home and there’s some stuff I should plan for but there’s also time enough to try to do them this weekend.  Then I think it should be bike and kayak back on the car and another three days out.

Manly man kayaking.

Yes, I love the little camera apps.  But only for their schtick.  It’s much more fun to take ‘real’ photos with a ‘real’ camera and then work on them little by little until they re-create the picture I imagine I once saw.  Alas, I’m too new to the kayak to dare take a camera that requires coordination!