I’m feeling cozy in bed this morning. I know it’s early and I promised myself I would get out in my kayak today. My husband and I even have our kayaks all staged on our deck-side kayak rack. But some mornings it is just easier to lie here and listen to the ferry engine chugging by and two minutes later, the soft lapping sound of the wake on our beach. I make myself throw the covers off and plant my feet on the carpeted floor. I am not experiencing any vertigo this morning. That is a good sign.
I can see that it is already bright outside. No curtains on the windows, give a panoramic view of the inlet waters. I slip my glasses on and slowly make my way across the living area to the coffee pot and flip the on button. We must get a move on to get out on the water with the outgoing tide. I checked the tide tables last night and we know our window.
After a quick breakfast of coffee, yogurt, and a piece of buttered toast, I begin my routine. I pull my wetsuit pants on over my leggings. Then I work on my top layers, including long sleeves and a turtleneck. The water is cold all the time, but first thing in the morning it gives you a jolt and really wakes you up!
Heading out the back door I stop and pull on my kayak booties. I really like these things. They cushion my feet from our pebble and rock covered beach. And flexible soles give me a good grip on the kayak foot pegs.
Having Multiple Sclerosis makes every excursion a treasured moment. We slide our kayaks carefully down our PVC pipe ramp and place them in the water. I carefully wade out up to my knees. We must do this between passing boat wakes. My husband steadies my kayak while I struggle with getting my backside on the seat. Then, I carefully lift and place each of my legs and feet. Getting out early in the day works best, with more energy available.
I’m in! I lift my paddle and get it in the water as quickly as possible. That paddle gives me a wonderful free feeling in the water. I can go wherever I want! I feel my shoulders struggle to get the movement flowing. I haven’t been out for a while, and I am feeling it. I head toward the end of the dock next door and paddle around about 40 feet from the shore, while Edward gets himself situated in his kayak.
The water is clear this morning; I can see down to the very bottom. There is sand and lots of small rocks. Clear jellyfish swim around just under the surface. Fish are harder to spot. Occasionally, a sea star might be clinging to a rock or just resting on the bottom as well.
We begin our trek toward the first buoy marker. It bobs tall in the water. This morning there is an eagle perched on the very top checking things out. I scan the waters around me constantly looking for other boats or crafts that might cause ripples and wakes. I can’t afford to relax out here.
I keep watch on the ferry landing in the distance. Fast ferry wakes can sneak up on you. Private boats cause constant small wakes as they head out in a line to the big water of Puget Sound. My goal is to head out and get back from my adventure before the morning boat parade begins.
There is a huge bed of kelp ahead with an unpleasant pungent, briny smell. A slurry of dirty sea foam accents the vine clusters. I begin my turnaround to avoid getting my paddle all mucked up with slime. A wandering vine causes water to go flying as I accidentally catch the strand. The unwelcome saltwater splashing on my face and glasses, makes me wrinkle my nose to shake it off. I pucker and spit out the droplets that dribble on my lips.
My husband has paddled up near me and we are admiring that eagle still guarding the mark. Suddenly, there’s strong movement of water under my kayak! Yikes! There it is again, and we see a brown mound come up quickly right in front of us. And then it is gone. I could almost touch it. What in the world?
We scan the water frantically. Then, about thirty feet from us, a head pops up and gives us the “Ha, Ha, Ha! Got ‘cha!” laughing look only a seal can pull off. We burst out laughing and begin our paddle back to our beach. I watch our travel buddy swim off and then back as my own tired arms paddle to move me with the tide. He’s definitely keeping an eye on us. I’m feeling like the morning entertainment.
I finally arrive in the vicinity where I will, not so gracefully, get out of my kayak. The seal is still watching. I put on a good show as Edward steadies my kayak and I slowly take each leg over the side and get my rocking motion going so I can stand. It’s difficult to get balanced in the water. Even the smallest, unexpected water movement around my legs can cause my balance to falter. I have a small oar I carry on my kayak to help me stand and make it slowly up on to the beach. I carefully move, one step at a time.
Standing on the beach, I glance over in the direction where the seal has been hanging out. I get a final nod and off he goes in the direction of a sailboat anchored down by Waterman Dock. Smiling to myself, I think about how this adventure could play out as a story. I need to get it down in my diary while I’m still feeling the magic of this morning.
Author: Evelyn Panfili
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