susanne--I am so sorry about your sister. I can see why you'd be concerned.
The rule for life jackets with kayakers is there has to be one on the boat, but not necessarily worn. Since I kayak alone sometimes, I bought a new vest made for paddlers and am wearing it--but you can't see me. Mark and Rachel both have a life preserver under the cords on top of their boats, right behind them-you can see them in the photos. They're orange. We were keeping them at our feet when we started, but now put them on top. I always wear mine now, since it doesn't interfere with my arms, although it's hot. For safety, we have also added tow ropes to the top--attached to the boat, and Mark and I have paddle leashes just in case we ever dropped a paddle. I am the strongest swimmer in the family (swim team), but once I started paddling alone--I knew it was best to wear one. We also paddle close to shore most of the time--and Hemlock Lake is the only one we've crossed--since the water was so calm and there are no boats moving when we do. We'd never cross Canandaigua or Keuka Lakes. If my daughter paddled with us often--I'd be getting her a vest. Mark won't wear one
, but always makes sure his is handy.
You have such an adventurous spirit!!
I was thinking about this while doing chores--such a ponder time, eh? Anyway, I don't think we'd qualify to be in the "adventurous" category.
Mark and I live our quiet little lives out here on our farmette, only leaving really to work. We never go away overnight--but there's nowhere we want to go. We so thoroughly love staying home to tend the animals and keep up the gardens/lawns. But, water calls me--I love being near it, on it, in it. I drive by a lake every day to and from work and long to be on it. We talked about getting kayaks three years ago. At first we were way too busy weekends with Rachel's music stuff, then driving to get her every other weekend from college that semester--(due to homesickness and a boring college). I kept telling Mark we needed to take advantage of the lakes surrounding us, that they would make great day trips--which is what we like. So I tried a girlfriend's kayak and it was no surprise to me I loved it. I dragged Mark down to try it--and he was hesitant because he didn't think he's 6'3" frame and inflexible parts would fit in one comfortably. But he was encouraged by his trial run.
We headed to a store on Irondequoit Bay where you try before you buy--and he loved the first one he climbed into. Now he's hooked. He's the one who investigates the details on the lakes farther from us--and the rules (Hemlock and Canadice have important rules for water cleanliness). He finds the maps to the launch areas. So--we're branching off in our empty nest (well--sort of empty--the kids are here a lot
) situation--and having a grand time!! After we kayak, we always stop for lunch--so we've had more dates this summer than all last year. It just feels nice all the way around.
Our 25th anniversary is coming up in December--and Rachel says we have to go away and do something like "normal" couples, but there's no where Mark and I want to go. We don't eat out at fancy places--there's nothing we need for the house--(until one of the kids needs this couch--then we're going to replace it). So--I think we're more content than adventurous.
