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| We paddled out to the island on the left. |
I signed up for a guided kayak tour (click link for more info) out to Mokulua Island where the seabird sanctuary is located. Ocean kayaking is much more strenuous than I expected. Paddling the lake is tiring, but paddling against a current that wants to either push you in to shore or out to sea is exhausting. I believe I would have made it eventually, but I was slower than the rest of the group. Other than one of our two guides, I was the only woman in a solo kayak, the others were paddling tandem. I was grateful for the assistance when the guides hooked up a line to my boat and helped pull me along. It took around an hour to reach the island. I also got a little seasick. Thankfully, the guides had some Dramamine.
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| Wedge-Tailed Shearwater |
Once ashore, we hiked around to the back side of the island to view some of the birds and the Queen's Bath. There is a large tidepool around 6 feet deep that the queen and her children used to bathe in. Some of the guys jumped in. A few large waves hit, tossed them around, and bloodied their arms and legs. I would not recommend letting your children jump in unless they are excellent swimmers. There were several fledgling birds along the trail that seemed to not be bothered by our presence at all. I took a photo of a wedge-tailed shearwater that looked back at us from his resting spot among some rocks.
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| Lanakai Beach |
Next, we paddled to Lanakai beach for lunch. I caught a wave on the way. I heard it coming up behind me, paddled as hard as I could, and zoomed past the guide who said, "You didn't tell me you knew how to kayak surf!" I don't really. It was almost an accident. I caught another one completely by accident as I was landing on the shore.
After lunch, it was much easier to paddle back to Kailua Beach because the current was pushing somewhat in that direction and we didn't have to fight as much. The guides helped me out a little bit along the way, but I did most of the paddling myself. Even when they were towing, I kept paddling and didn't make them do all the work. I was exhausted. I went back to my hotel and went to sleep.
13 comments:
sounds like a wonderful experience, well worth the tired bones :)
cheers
how cool...i would love to take one of those tours....
hotel ??.
I delighted you are having fun. But what about work, any of that around.
This sounds like a great experience! Right up your alley! I love the photo of that bird peeking out at you.
Not many waves on the lake eh..so where did you learn to surf the kayak.. I guess youre going to have to try real surfing while youre there Jen? How cool is that!
@Vince: Wyoming is an asshole. I'm homesick. Miss my daughter. Going home.
@Tempo: I have tried real surfing. That's how I knew to start paddling hard.
Suck it up and man up, woman. You do not EVER allow another to change your likes or loves for anything. And your love for that volcanic little State out in the middle of nowhere comes through in those posts you wrote a while back.
Who gives a shit if you found that a-hole is exactly what he is. He is hardly your first and certainly won't be the last you'll encounter. Depressing I know but what the hay.
Now I know you miss your kid, but you need to think about yourself also. There is no point living in Texas -a place you're 'only' fond of- if the kid is coiffing in Vermont New Hampshire or Maine. This only works if you both are in the one town. And really how likely is that.
you sound like such a badass - the only solo kayaker and then you didn't relent the entire time? Go you. This sounds amazing, right down to the packed lunches (I always get excited about packed lunches for some reason...). I would much rather be doing any of the above than go to work tomorrow, boohoo!
Beautiful Jen!!!! Sorry I haven't been around--but I'm easing back into my Fav's!!!
And you r definitely on the top o da list!
John
What a lovely get-away :) This is a great place to relax and recharge.
I am in agreement with Vince...If you love it there then stay...Screw that Wyoming dude!!!
The pictures are beautiful!!!
Don't worry, Vince. I spent a lot of time talking to locals. I can breathe much easier there (the absence of pollution is good for my asthma), I'm told you can get benefits such as healthcare working part-time jobs, and I've found the little town I think I want to live in. I'll make it back.
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