In preparation for Saturday’s kayaking trip, I felt it appropriate to reflect on my past experiences rafting and kayaking because they happen to be some of my favorite travel memories.
My first experience kayaking was in Spain, on the ocean. I was terrified I would drift off into the open ocean and get lost. I did not want to do it. I was 16. Of course I was able to get over the fear I had enough to get into the kayak and head out onto the water. Halfway to wear we were heading, a group of Spanish kids flipped us over. The kayak was so heavy we could barely get it to flip back over. I remember being amazed at how it was able to float (and how boats could float). The waves and the lack of sea floor below us made it all the more difficult, and brought be back to all the terrifying thoughts I was having earlier. After finally getting back into our kayak, we headed off to meet our class in peace. I had a new fear of the ocean but great trust in my life vest and kayak now. We didn’t go far before turning around to head back to shore.
A little more adventurous and outdoorsy the summer I turned 20 I spent a week on Lake George in New York. My family has a cabin there. Every morning, and sometimes again in the afternoon, my friend and I went out onto the lake in the kayaks. It was early summer so the lake was quiet. We saw many birds and admired the mountains. It was peaceful floating on the water.
A few weeks later, I landed myself in Costa Rica with my family, spending one day rafting down the Savage River. The water was so warm, the scenery was pristine. I couldn’t have been happier that day. Our guide taught us all about the history of the area, the people who lived there and he pointed out so many different animals on our trip down. He had grown up in the valley. Our guide also seemed to be one with the water, he knew how the waves and turbulence would effect the boat and even did tricks for us. The rapids were lower grade, generally level 3 but some were up to level 5, but I wasn’t at all afraid like I had been in the ocean. I was loving the ‘pura vida’ life.
There is nothing like being on a small floating kayak or raft to make you feel one with nature, or at least with the water. It is humbling to feel the power that is found in nature and to be able to work with it to become closer to it.
Cultures of Nature Fall 2015
Lori, I am really happy you shared this experience. I too have had an interesting flipping incidence; a friend thought it would be funny to come straight at the middle of our boat without thinking it could end up badly. Luckily it was in a canoe on a river so it wasn’t too frightening; however, it was a heavy thing to get turned back over and the couple of inches of water left in the boat for the remainder of the trip were not too enjoyable. I am happy you shared this because I have done quite a bit of canoeing and rafting, but I have not done any real kayaking. I am actually pretty nervous about it because I don’t know how much it differs from the paddling I have experience with. It is reassuring to hear even during your more frightening experience everything turned out to be fine, and that you grew to really enjoy the activity!