Bugspray? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Poofy lifevest? Check. Large, unattractive hat? Check.
The river calls us. Actually, it's my mom who calls us, constantly, with various "emergencies." Best to get out there on the river and leave the cell phone in the car so she can't find me.
We arrived at Violette's Lock on the C&O canal early-ish in the morning on Saturday, to beat the heat. Our route is down the Potomac River a couple of miles, then a quick portage over to the canal, and back up the canal to the parking lot where our car (and dry clothes) are waiting for us. This little trip is an old favorite of ours. We used to do it in our canoe with 2 little girls in the middle.
The river was quiet and soothing. There were no motors out there that morning. We are not always so lucky. You don't realize how much noise there is in your life until you find yourself in a very quiet place. And you don't realize how much you are starting to despise your cell phone until you leave it in your car and feel miraculously free.
Hello, large bird that I can't identify with any degree of authority. Heron, I think?
Over on the canal side, now. In a contemplative mood.
Ooh. A turtle. If I were FC I would tell you an amazing turtle fact. Sadly, I don't even know what kind of turtle this is. But I know it can swim!
It was a lovely couple of hours, followed by some drama at my parents' house (more on that in a different post), then dinner with our friends, then lots of talk about when and where to euthanize the dogs, and in what order. Which left me rather raw and tearful.
Today, Sunday, I have had 3 phone calls from my parents, beginning at 7:45am. (1 from Mom, who hung up on me. 2 from Dad, who "wanted to hear a friendly voice.")
But the GOOD thing is: We are going kayaking again today, with the dinner friends.
But first, I am going to finish putting away the laundry that has been crushing my spirit for the past 2 days.
Notice that, although I didn't have time to clean my room yesterday before I went kayaking, I did find time to make a little bed for Pushkin with some freshly washed fleece blankets.
More relaxation and less stress! I'm all over that. Maybe I need to ditch my cell phone too! It seems to be a stress magnet these days.
Posted by: Margaret | July 03, 2011 at 11:59 AM
EVERYONE needs more kayaking.
Your hat is fine.
You can get less pooofy lifejackets made just for kayaking that are barely there and give you less restricted arm movement.
Of course you will look a little more Rambo'y.
Sorry, I don't know your nawthern turtles like I should,but I agree it can swim.
Down here that is a slider.
Posted by: FC | July 03, 2011 at 01:00 PM
More kayaking, and it sounds like dad needs a solo trip out without you know who. I would arrange that asap. So sad about the puppies. Janet is now in the same boat. Also anytime an activity calls for a life jacket that is a red flag for me. I was at the office yesterday and was 100 percent life jacket free. I am brave like that.
Posted by: the bee | July 03, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Looks like fun!
For you!
Posted by: blackbird | July 03, 2011 at 07:01 PM
I need more kayaking too. Vacation is over. Sigh.
I'm sorry about your dogs and your parents.
Wish I could make it better.
Posted by: Cathy S. | July 03, 2011 at 09:32 PM
You definitely need to have some time away from the phone and life stresses, considering all that is going on.
Posted by: maddy | July 04, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Great Blue Heron. Hugs.
Posted by: Dusty | July 05, 2011 at 08:13 PM
What IS that thing on the log behind you in the first pic?
Those photos look dreamy. Parents? Say no more. Well, DO say more, but I know just what you mean about the phone calls, etc. One time, my father called me at home to tell me Mom was drinking, or otherwise misbehaving. Then Mom got on the extension and they started arguing between themselves. After a while, I just hung up, leaving them to argue with one another on their phone extensions in the same house! I wonder how long they went on until they realized I wasn't there any more?
The pups . . . I can scarcely go there. The right thing to do is what's important--they can't be allowed to suffer. It's the hardest, but the kindest, thing to do.
The turtle? Probably one of those nasty snappers.
Posted by: Anne | July 06, 2011 at 07:35 PM
Looks like a beautiful place. A very peaceful place. I can understand what a good experience it would kayaking in that river.
Posted by: Logo design | July 12, 2011 at 07:37 AM