some mornings, you have to just get out on the water. today was one of those days. the sun was so bright, shining through hazy clouds (the rain storm last night). the lake was placid, and lillie's always up for anything on the water. she loves water so much, she told me a few weeks ago that her name is SEA now. we can't call her lillie. ok.
we changed out of our pjs and headed outside. the birds were chirping happily, and we felt the same. snapped on our life jackets, got the paddles, and launched our kayak. come along with us!
we headed across the lake to the marshy area. lillie's been fascinated with the muskrats, and wanted to see their dens again. now there are two! we also were serenaded by a flock of red wing blackbirds. i think they nest in the reeds, for the ones perching on the cat tails were quite vehement about our presence. so we paddled on. we widely skirted the swan - no use messing with something that large.
on the edges of the marsh, we kept looking at the shore - looking at the holes in the shore, for possible muskrat sightings. we were interested in the trees growing sideways, and the duckweed growing atop the algae. we fished out a few buckets to put in the trash. spring is here - you can see lots of green things growing, all around.
on the way home, we passed the inn with their welcoming dock and benches. too bad the food's not that great. we also gloried in the blossoms of flowering trees and lilacs.
so glad you could come with us this morning!
copyright 2006, jessica voigts
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Comments: 40
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Jennifer is the Associate Editor of Gather.
Keep thinking up more "Trips with Lillie" for us (and hopefully, when published, many children) to take...
benita - thanks! - my brother was just in NZ. loved it!!!
heather - yes, the colors are great, eh? it wasn't even that sunny out!
ludo - welcome back!! i'll lend you a paddle. :)
larry - those birds were within a few feet of each other. guarding a nest, i think!!
ferrero - welcome! nice to have you here.
mary - come along any time!
thanks, everyone!
cat! oh yes, he was quite vociferous. you're welcome!
Cheers!
john - yes, you can find inexpensive, and also used kayaks. we have a double but singles are easier in all aspects. check craigs list, or the internet. it is so easy. i would get one in a heartbeat. they are so much easier than canoes and rowboats!! and with a roof rack, you can just throw it on top and go! they are so light and manageable. very realistic. also - here's the trick. if you're kayaking and your arms hurt, you're doing it wrong. you need to use your legs and butt when you paddle. it doesn't really make sense, but listen. when you paddle, sort of push with your leg and the paddling is so much stronger. it saves a LOT of energy, and sore arms, trust me!!
I have as always loved the weaving of story and pics that you do so well and I would just add my two cents with the other folks here that have suggested a childrens book, "Adventures with Lillie" and it could start with her identity with the sea, her name change and then on to a series of earth science lessons for children. An absolute hit!
*grabs kayak and goes*