Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The Wolf
This kayak adventure is not a new one. Instead, it's a throwback, a homage if you will, to dear Trea. He was featured in the first story on #backontheyak. Sadly, that was the last time I saw him. He's out doing his thing at college. On his way to becoming a very successful doctor, I'm sure. I miss him, of course, but we had our time. As short as it was, it was still pretty rad. So here's a story of one of the many times he accompanied me while kayaking.
I pull up to his driveway and sit for a minute. I don't even have to get out of the car. The garage door grumbles open and he emerges. He doesn't wave at me or smile at me. Instead he smirks, walks right up to my window, and presses his phone against it. I stare at it blankly.
He points to the time and mouths, "7:31."
I roll my eyes and laugh, "Oh my gosh. God forbid, I'm one minute late. You'll be alright."
He just shakes his head out of disappointment.
"Just get your kayak and c'mon."
Trea and I have mastered Mallini's. No shocker there. After 7+ times of going in and out of the bay in every which way possible with each other, we decided the two of us are ready to graduate to bigger and better things. The Wolf River.
I turn onto the dusty gravel road and park next to some fishermen. There aren't any other kayakers or paddleboarders, just some teenagers tossing the fishing line in the water. So really we have the place to our selves. That's always nice.
We help each other put the kayaks in the sandy water and strap on our life vests. Trea asks which way we should go. Without thinking I say right. We pass under a bridge and paddle by a few logs that Trea first thinks are gators. It's fourth of July weekend so every now and then we play chicken with boats and jet skiers before eventually merging to the right so they can zip by.
Now, as great as it was to get out of Mallini's and get some new scenery, the scenery on the Wolf didn't have much variation. It consisted of only bush, tree, bird, log, bush, tree, bird, log, bush, tree, bird, log, bush, tree, bird, log. After a while, that gets old really quickly. There's no way to tell how far you've gone or how fast you're going. You look back and think, "Is that the bush I just passed? Or the one I looked at 30 minutes ago?" There were no houses to admire or people to wave at. Just bush, tree, bird, log.
After a while, Trea speaks up, "Oh Jillianne! You'll appreciate this. I started a journal."
I laugh, "Why?"
"I just write about my day."
"Alright, groovy. How long have you been doing this?"
He grins, "I started yesterday."
"Okay," I smile at him, "you've got to start somewhere."
We come across a fork in the river. Trea continues on to examine a log that looks like a pipe that looks like an alligator. I turn around. I don't bother telling him, he'll figure it out, he's smart. And if that fails, I have my phone.
The way back is nice. Me and myself, as they say. I try to get a grasp on how fast I am going. Sure I have my app telling me my pace but that doesn't help. I look for something in the distance that I can use as a reference point. Alas. I look back every few minutes or so to see if Trea has caught up to me yet. Again, alas. Still just me and myself.
Finally, as I'm crossing under the bridge again, something rams into me.
Trea.
"I thought for sure you'd be asleep in the car by the time I got back," he laughs, "Or worse, that you'd just straight up leave me here."
I punch him in the shoulder, "I'd never do that to you."
Distance 3.55 miles
Time 1:18:39
Min/Mile 22:09
Calories 319
I pull up to his driveway and sit for a minute. I don't even have to get out of the car. The garage door grumbles open and he emerges. He doesn't wave at me or smile at me. Instead he smirks, walks right up to my window, and presses his phone against it. I stare at it blankly.
He points to the time and mouths, "7:31."
I roll my eyes and laugh, "Oh my gosh. God forbid, I'm one minute late. You'll be alright."
He just shakes his head out of disappointment.
"Just get your kayak and c'mon."
Trea and I have mastered Mallini's. No shocker there. After 7+ times of going in and out of the bay in every which way possible with each other, we decided the two of us are ready to graduate to bigger and better things. The Wolf River.
I turn onto the dusty gravel road and park next to some fishermen. There aren't any other kayakers or paddleboarders, just some teenagers tossing the fishing line in the water. So really we have the place to our selves. That's always nice.
We help each other put the kayaks in the sandy water and strap on our life vests. Trea asks which way we should go. Without thinking I say right. We pass under a bridge and paddle by a few logs that Trea first thinks are gators. It's fourth of July weekend so every now and then we play chicken with boats and jet skiers before eventually merging to the right so they can zip by.
Now, as great as it was to get out of Mallini's and get some new scenery, the scenery on the Wolf didn't have much variation. It consisted of only bush, tree, bird, log, bush, tree, bird, log, bush, tree, bird, log, bush, tree, bird, log. After a while, that gets old really quickly. There's no way to tell how far you've gone or how fast you're going. You look back and think, "Is that the bush I just passed? Or the one I looked at 30 minutes ago?" There were no houses to admire or people to wave at. Just bush, tree, bird, log.
After a while, Trea speaks up, "Oh Jillianne! You'll appreciate this. I started a journal."
I laugh, "Why?"
"I just write about my day."
"Alright, groovy. How long have you been doing this?"
He grins, "I started yesterday."
"Okay," I smile at him, "you've got to start somewhere."
We come across a fork in the river. Trea continues on to examine a log that looks like a pipe that looks like an alligator. I turn around. I don't bother telling him, he'll figure it out, he's smart. And if that fails, I have my phone.
The way back is nice. Me and myself, as they say. I try to get a grasp on how fast I am going. Sure I have my app telling me my pace but that doesn't help. I look for something in the distance that I can use as a reference point. Alas. I look back every few minutes or so to see if Trea has caught up to me yet. Again, alas. Still just me and myself.
Finally, as I'm crossing under the bridge again, something rams into me.
Trea.
"I thought for sure you'd be asleep in the car by the time I got back," he laughs, "Or worse, that you'd just straight up leave me here."
I punch him in the shoulder, "I'd never do that to you."
Distance 3.55 miles
Time 1:18:39
Min/Mile 22:09
Calories 319
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
It's KAYAK PLAYLIST 2, y'all
As promised, more music to jam to while hitting the yak. There's something for everyone. Whether you're a Disney fan or a Christmas fan, I've got you covered. Enjoy.
Cum On Feel the Noise - Quiet Riot
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
Blurred Lines (feat. T.I. & Pharrell) - Robin Thicke
Interlude: Holiday - Paramore
Ribs - Lorde
I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye - Lady Gaga
I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song) - Louis Prima & Phil Harris
Below My Feet - Mumford & Sons
Till Kingdom Come - Coldplay
I Sill Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
I Lived - OneRepublic
Blue Christmas - Michael Bublé
Everything Has Changed (Remix) [feat. Ed Sheeran] - Taylor Swift
Stubborn Love - The Lumineers
Kingfisher - PHOX
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
Song for Zula - Phosphorescent
Alligator - Paul McCartney
Happily - One Direction
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore - Paramore
Something I Need - OneRepublic
Temperature - Sean Paul
Take a Walk - Passion Pit
Si tu vois ma mère - Sidney Bechet
Cum On Feel the Noise - Quiet Riot
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
Blurred Lines (feat. T.I. & Pharrell) - Robin Thicke
Interlude: Holiday - Paramore
Ribs - Lorde
I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye - Lady Gaga
I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song) - Louis Prima & Phil Harris
Below My Feet - Mumford & Sons
Till Kingdom Come - Coldplay
I Sill Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
I Lived - OneRepublic
Blue Christmas - Michael Bublé
Everything Has Changed (Remix) [feat. Ed Sheeran] - Taylor Swift
Stubborn Love - The Lumineers
Kingfisher - PHOX
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
Song for Zula - Phosphorescent
Alligator - Paul McCartney
Happily - One Direction
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore - Paramore
Something I Need - OneRepublic
Temperature - Sean Paul
Take a Walk - Passion Pit
Si tu vois ma mère - Sidney Bechet
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
THE KAYAK PLAYLIST: Part One, of course
Each time I go kayaking, I gather together a hand full of songs and play them during the journey. Each time is different, but there are always some repeats, only the best of the best. The following list is just a few of the songs that I have found create the perfect mood while paddling across the murky waters among a flock of baby ducks. There is no certain order, straight through or shuffle, makes no difference. These are some of my favorites, feel free to share your own!
Another Story - The Head and the Heart
He Mele No Lilo - Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus & Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu
Too Much - Elvis Presley
Just Around the Riverbend - Judy Kuhn
Shower - Becky G
Family Tree - Kings Of Leon
Nirvana - Sam Smith
Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride - Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus & Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu
Stuck On You - Elvis Presley
Joy Of Nothing - Foy Vance
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Come to Me - The Goo Goo Dolls
Just One Yesterday (feat. Foxes) - Fall Out Boy
Closed Hand, Full of Friends - Foy Vance
Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
I Will Remember - Train
Next Year - Two Door Cinema Club
Blue - Beyonce Feat. Blue Ivy
Runaway - Ed Sheeran
Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys
Burning Love - Elvis Presley
Better Days - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Gonzo - The All-American Rejects
Hook - Blues Traveler
The Weight - The Band
Dust To Dust - The Civil Wars
If It's the Beaches - The Avett Brothers
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