in the middle of a pod of dolphin when I realize that this is a good day.

I have not been using the kayak as much as I should have been so I signed up for an afternoon trip through a local outdoors store thinking that if I committed to it I would make the time to go. Meet up with the group at a local microbrewery that is on one of the creeks off of the St Johns River at 6pm. 22 kayaks and SUP including the 4 instructors from the shop who lead the trip (and brought the rentals for those who needed it). We paddled out to the St Johns River, floated around, played a bit, watched the sun go down across the river, and paddled back. About an hours and a half. A really good time. Since I got home around 8:30 I decided I would clean the kayak this morning. And since the kayak was still loaded up on the truck, I might as well go out this morning before I clean it.

I put in at Mill Cove this morning which sits along the St Johns River separated by a long island that has been built up by dredging. You can get out to the river at both ends of the cove. I paddled out to the river and was floating while I ate my breakfast when a pod of maybe 10-12 dolphins moved through feeding along the bank. We see this all the time in our boat. They will broach close enough for my wife to reach out and touch them but this is the first time I have been that close to them in a kayak. They moved on down the bank, I finished eating and paddled down towards the bridge before cutting across the cove back to the ramp the whole time wondering why I don’t do this more often.

There is a feeling you get that I am not aware of a proper word to describe when you find yourself in a specific time and place when you are a part of nature and not just a spectator of it.

I am with you that.

There was a couple time i was in Hawaii (Makaha Bch) where, when Boogie boarding, I had a couple dolphins "surf" next to me.

Really cool indeed.

Thanks for the reminder, I haven’t been on my yak since New Year’s Eve! I’d blame it on the red tide and afternoon rain showers but those are just piss-poor excuses.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
I am with you that.

There was a couple time i was in Hawaii (Makaha Bch) where, when Boogie boarding, I had a couple dolphins "surf" next to me.

Really cool indeed.

That's really cool!

quote:

Originally posted by dusty3030:
There is a feeling you get that I am not aware of a proper word to describe when you find yourself in a specific time and place when you are a part of nature and not just a spectator of it.

Serendipity

quote:

There was a couple time i was in Hawaii (Makaha Bch) where, when Boogie boarding, I had a couple dolphins "surf" next to me.

With me, it was Makena Landing on Maui, kayaking while a buddy was SUP'ing, and a humpback whale surfaced very close. We chased him/her a while, but of course couldn't keep up.

I am looking out at the lake I live on here hoping that we can go yakin' tomorrow...I promise...it's been way too long.

quote:

Originally posted by dusty3030:
There is a feeling you get that I am not aware of a proper word to describe when you find yourself in a specific time and place when you are a part of nature and not just a spectator of it.

I get that feeling when I get up around 0300 and go surf fishing on the Atlantic Ocean. Stars bright as far as you can see. Then the sunrise, it seems at times to pop up out of the ocean. The late Fall seems especially good.

I’m laying in the middle of my couch in Wisconsin fighting off a bout of pneumonia, and while I’m a little jealous, im truly happy for you my friend! Say hi to the dolphins!

"MEG"

Just don't sink. Because then you'd need a submarine sandwich.

Kayaks and SUPs are such a great way to spend time outside.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
Kayaks and SUPs are such a great way to spend time outside.

They are, very relaxing and great exercise. Sometimes you just stop using them for no reason at all and months go by and you forgot how enjoyable it is to be out on the water in or on one.

For sure. I was on the SUP a bunch last summer but hardly at all this year, too much work and travel to unexciting places. I need to get out there more before it gets too cold (CO).

Moments of almost pure perfection.

Wish I could have experiences like that. Very lucky.

That sounds like a great paddle! Kayaking is good for the soul.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
I am looking out at the lake I live on here hoping that we can go yakin' tomorrow...I promise...it's been way too long.

Well? How was it?