Day TWO - AZ

Friday started out easy enough. We packed stuff for the kayak trip. I got 'trial fitted' to make sure I was familiar with stuff. This WAS my first kayak adventure.



Adrienne and I grabbed lunch and then met Scott at the 'Take Out' point. We drove back up river and unloaded our stuff. There are several pictures here but I suggest you 'right click' and then 'open a new window' to view or you will leave this page: CLICK HERE!

I totally enjoyed the ride. You are wedged into the kayak with your knees tight to the sides giving you a lot of control in moving it around by snapping your hips. I felt very much like a cork floating on top of the water and many times my paddle strokes were amplified to the point of over-correcting. There is alot more skill to this than one might think. When things get a little crazy - like thru the white water - you paddle harder. It was intense.

There was one part that I really wasn't crazy about - carrying the boat. My kayak was larger - and heavier - than theirs. It made it more stable for this rookie. But it was also a tuff carry. You 'hang' it sideways from one shoulder and it really cuts into your flesh. Then add in the slippery rocks we negotiated as we went 100 yards back upstream to re-do a section of rapids makes for a lot of work. My physical conditioning and age had NOTHING to do with it.

I expected the ride to be longer, especially considering the time and effort to get on the water. I think Adrienne was being a bit conservative with her noobie. She probably feared the wrath of Aunt Jeri (my mother) in case something bad happened.

By the time we got out and schlepped back to Scott's car I was pretty winded. Thankfully I don't ever have to carry my motorcycle! Today my shoulders and back are feeling the work-out from paddling.

In a couple of hours I will be heading to Buddy Stubbs HD for their Bike Week Bash. Then later this afternoon it's over to The Hideaway, a local biker bar that is renown for it's ambiance. Tonight I plan to go to the Rally HQ and see George Thorogood. Today is party time (it IS Saturday).

Tomorrow I have another ride planned, this time going north and east into the mountains. Should be another 250-300 mile day.