Part I; Part II.

We showed up at our kayak place right on time, and got geared up and outside pretty quick. We were given a quick lecture on what to do if our kayak were to capsize -- although we were also reassured that no tandems have capsized since this business opened their doors 7 years ago.

Once out on the water, we had a hard time at first. We had some time to just paddle around before we got going in earnest, and were struggling to figure out the steering and the paddling. Beloved was in the back, and had foot pedals that controlled the rudder and steered us. We were having to go backwards at first, and it was sort of tough. Once we got going (frontwards), things came together better. I felt like we were a little slow for a bit more, we were last in the pack. But not for long!!!! Oh no baby!!

There was a family (?) with three teenage boys, and a very toned and obviously active dad in our group. They put two teenage (17? 18?) boys in one kayak, and the dad with the third. Well, very soon into the trip, beloved and i were keeping up with the boys, no problem. We had a very small spot with some little swells, and we rode up and over those - it was very fun. I could have used a bit more of that :)

Our guide was pointing out the wildlife as we went along - we were hoping to see some porpoises and sea otters and seals (sea lions?) but all we saw were birds. That was fine. I just loved being on the open water. It was fantastic. It was a sunset tour, and we were facing the pinkish setting sun until it went down. It was cool with only a slight breeze. It was truly wonderful.

The tour was 2 hours, and I think that for the first time, I would have prefered 1.5 hours. By the time we were heading in, my upper body was exhausted, and I wasn't sure I could make my arms keep moving. But, of course, I made it, and it was great.

We are going to check out rentals to go out on the Charles, and in the next couple weeks, we plan to head to Provincetown on the Cape, and will hopefully go out onto the ocean there, as well. We are some years away from being able to own our own kayaks - for storage purposes as much as financial - but I would love to do it eventually. I also hope to take the girls out onto the Charles when they return. We can do a tandem, with beloved and i each paired up with a girl. They're both willing, which is fun.

We docked the boats at around 9:15 p.m., and once we got settled with the group and tipped our guide, it was 9:30 - we had a dinner yet to eat! We had already chosen our meal, and walked over, making a couple stops on the way to pick up some last minute souveniers. We had a beer at the bar, and this is where Beloved had his first Allagash. I had some blueberry martinis (2), and a delicious beet salad.

It was when we got home, and surveyed our day of hiking and kayaking that we decided it was best to just head home in the morning. I'm so glad we did. It rained on and off all day on the 4th, and instead of having to deal with that while trying to have fun, we were safely in the car, enjoying the peacefulness (and dryness) of the rain.

All in all - a wonderful trip. Beloved and I travel well together. We have a wonderful time, and compliment each other. We're often in sync about everything - when to eat, when to sleep, when to JUST sleep ;) and when to talk. We are both willing to try new things, and to enjoy the things we know that we (both ourselves and each other) enjoy. We were also in sync this time with when we enjoyed each other, and when we thought of our Things. There were times I would think of the girls, and wish they were with me, and wonder "is that wrong? should i not be thinking of them?" just to have Beloved at that moment say, "when we come with the girls ......"

I am very very appreciative of what we have together, the fun we have, and the level of enjoyment we have for each other.

posted by Zuska @ 7:01 PM

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