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Law Students

: Red Shoe Ramblings

Kayaking the Moke

By NoReinsGirl

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It came to this on Monday...kayaking. Long awaited and well-earned by yours truly. After a week of the full moon approaching (work in an ER or law enforcement and you'll come to dread this), crazy work, and my cousin passing away I decided on some kayaking to clear my head.

Best. Decision. Ever.

Had a long weekend and decided to do it up right. So I started here at the local outfitters who could rent me a yak and let me pick the one I wanted to paddle. Not top-top of the line (I'm thinking the Boreals) but something that would do me right. Kayak rented and delivered to the lake for an evening paddle on the Mokelumne.

Sierra Adventure Outfitters did me right. Thanks, peeps!

Even my knockabout shoes are red. (Helloooo...name of the blog.) Considering I was housesitting and the only other pair I brought along with me were a high-heeled pair of sandals...I went with these comfie Keens. Trekked through the San Juans up in Silverton, Colorado with these puppies and knew I'd be fine with them for the paddle. They were perfect and did fine in the water when I shoved off the launch. What would I do without a shot of the shoes I wore for the gentle (not really, I paddled hard for an hour and a half), relaxing paddle on the Moke?

Yes, I need a tan...stop laughing.

A friend told me that this is a welcome shot for them since its what one sees upon setting out for a paddle. They are right. :o) In the summer around my neck of the woods, this is generally a frozen bottle of water as the heat/sun will melt it right quick and one has ice cold water.

Question is...does the "SmartWater" make one smart. We, law study group, believe so and drink this stuff like...well...water. Okay, I lie...if it did make one smart I wouldn't have to study 50+ hrs a week.

I digress.

Back to kayaking...

Headed upstream. Pretty much at the lowest tree line is where I'm headed in the yak. I was surprised at the calm conditions considering the wind was blowing pretty good. *Really* happy about taking allergy meds prior to paddle since pollen was everywhere and mixed in with the peat dirt blowing.

My biggest fear was dropping my G1 into the Moke whilst bobbing about in the yak out on the Moke. If I dropped it, I wasn't about to dive into 55 F water that was murky and tangly at the bottom. I had insurance and I'd suck it up at that point.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Sunset was quickly approaching and it meant I had to get back to the launch, load up, and head out since the gates to the access lake locked at sundown.

Kayaking this night showed me a few things: I'm not terrified of the water like I was in years past. Boat wakes are actually pretty damn fun to surf. My boat sits higher in the water (could be the massive weight loss I accomplished). My arms, core, and back feel like sopping wet towels afterwards. Kayaking completely centers me.

I missed the rythymic sounds of a paddle dipping into the water, the chilled out zen-like paddling once warmed up good, and the spray off the front. Aaah. And, I cannot forget the incredible sleep that follows. Just. Wow.

Cycling is a ball and works me hard...but...a good 90 minute/8 mile paddle...

Yeah. Heaven.

Full post as published by Red Shoe Ramblings on May 14, 2009 (boomark / email).