I did it! I was on my way to Dungeness Bay to meet up with a gal from the Kayak Club, and she texted that she could not make it. It was a chilly but sunny morning so I decided to go anyway. No sense waiting any longer. I did my homework, waited for good conditions: time to just get in the water and paddle around.
My sweet little 8 ft kayak!
Normally I am not so intimidated by getting in, but with water temps around 50 degrees, I was a bit spooked. Snug in my wetsuit, I hugged the shoreline and never left water that was over my head. The depth part was not a concern, it just worked out that the area where I wanted to go was nice and shallow. Ultra safe!
The best part of the beautiful waters: the birds and the views. I have not identified all of the birds yet, but for sure I saw Great Blue Herons and Kingfishers. Gulls, of course. It was so clear that I could see Victoria, BC (on Vancouver Island) before I got into the kayak. From the water, I had great views again of Mt. Baker. I saw my second, giant container ship, this one coming into port on the nearly high tide. The last time I was down there walking Tango I saw another container ship going out after the high tide.
Zoomed in on a container ship, probably coming from China and full of junk no one really needs.
I stayed out about an hour and a half. I would have stayed out longer if I had brought my snack and thermos of coffee onto the kayak. Next time! I was reasonably warm but my feet (inside wetsuit boots) were quite chilly. They were wet from launching and landing. Tango stayed in the van then I took him on a long beach walk after I changed into dry clothes and poured some coffee.
Seagull watching over me as I glided around the bay.
The weather rating today is a 3 out of five. It is clear and sunny, even this afternoon. Yesterday was a bleak 2, the days before that a 2.5. I have only been here 17 days so it is too early to observe an accurate pattern, but if it continues like it has been, the pattern is: bleak, partly sunny, then sunny. Not bad! Today I have my wetsuit stuff drying outside in the sun. It is awesome.
Over the past three days, I did a water aerobics class, a yoga class, then the kayaking! I am a bit sore here and there but not bad. The classes are beginner level, which lets me ease into so much activitiy. My mental funk from last month is mostly gone! All the fresh air and exercise is doing wonders for my level of contentment and serenity.
Still, I attend my Al-Anon and ACA meetings. I am trying to find the ones I like best so am visiting them all. I have not decided yet, but, at each, I am meeting interesting people. I have learned so much from their sharing. One thing that has served me really well in my life is being able to move away – literally – from alcoholic family dysfunction. So many people (like my mom) could/can not leave their situation for any number of reasons, leaving them miserable. Although it meant being alone most of my life, I have been able to walk away from unhealthy situations and that has saved me! As I look back I would not have done anything differently except getting to Al-Anon sooner! If you or anyone you know is struggling because of friends and family who drink or because of growing up in an alcoholic family, Al-Anon and ACA are lifesavers. I have made progress towards healing in some profound ways, although I have a long way to go. You just have to keep going back!
Happy and Healthy in Dungeness Bay!
