It was still raining when I woke up. I lay there, waiting for it to stop. Once I did, I took a quick trip to the latrine (which I shared with a million ant eggs), and packed up to go. It’s the few minutes where I’m packing up my kayak in the morning that I just loathe. I'm stationary, focusing on not letting my gear get wet and muddy, focusing on putting the neoprene hatch cover on properly. The mosquitos descend on me and I can’t do anything about it. I wear my headnet, I wear bug spray, I wear long pants and sleeves, and they still bite me through the fabric. It’s like I can hear them laughing at me when I’m in that vulnerable I’m-packing-so-I-can't-swat-you place. It takes several deep breaths (and each deep breath is more time they can bite me!) to calm myself down and make sure I don’t forget anything or inadvertently fall into the river or something.
When I get on the water, the mosquitos back off, and the deer flies take over. They love landing on my hands, and biting me through my gloves. My first knuckles are covered in tiny bruised bites. When they bite me there, I have to set my paddle down before I can swat at them. It eats precious time, and can be maddening. I started imagining creating a mosquito net cover for my kayak. It would use tent-pole like support, and I’d wear it like a spray skirt, but it would have to be wider than my kayak to allow full range of motion of my arms. The paddle (which breaks down into 2 pieces) could be put through holes fitted with gaskets to keep the bugs out. The more I think about it, the more I desperately want this invention.
A thunderstorm popped up, and I pulled over to the weeds as it passed. Thirty minutes, sitting like a drowned rat as thunder and lightning passed overhead, the raindrops getting bigger and bigger until they seemed like hail. As soon as it passed, I left, only to have another storm with more intense lightning pass overhead not 5 minutes later. This time, I pulled over under some trees, which provided a bit more cover, but also harbored a swarm of mosquitos that were eating me alive. Crazily maddened with the mosquitos and a little bit scared with the lightning, not really knowing if I was in fact safer on the side of the river than just continuing on, I had a moment where I thought, “This is terrible. Why am I doing this?” The moment I got back on the river, my podcast shared the inner thoughts of Hermione, just as she’s realizing she can be a hero (paraphrased): “I wonder how many people become heroes just because they’re embarrassed to turn back? It’s not like we read in the history books, ‘and then they thought “the sensible thing to do would be to stop now,” but then they realized that would be embarrassing, so they continued to save the day.” I laughed out loud.
Folly + determination + embarrassed to quit = heroism?
The river reminded me of Bert's chalk drawings from Mary Poppins. I had this song stuck in my head all day.
I paddled 22 miles today, a long day, but it didn't seem all that long to my muscles, even though they’re definitely sore. My hands ache before anything else now.
When I get on the water, the mosquitos back off, and the deer flies take over. They love landing on my hands, and biting me through my gloves. My first knuckles are covered in tiny bruised bites. When they bite me there, I have to set my paddle down before I can swat at them. It eats precious time, and can be maddening. I started imagining creating a mosquito net cover for my kayak. It would use tent-pole like support, and I’d wear it like a spray skirt, but it would have to be wider than my kayak to allow full range of motion of my arms. The paddle (which breaks down into 2 pieces) could be put through holes fitted with gaskets to keep the bugs out. The more I think about it, the more I desperately want this invention.
A thunderstorm popped up, and I pulled over to the weeds as it passed. Thirty minutes, sitting like a drowned rat as thunder and lightning passed overhead, the raindrops getting bigger and bigger until they seemed like hail. As soon as it passed, I left, only to have another storm with more intense lightning pass overhead not 5 minutes later. This time, I pulled over under some trees, which provided a bit more cover, but also harbored a swarm of mosquitos that were eating me alive. Crazily maddened with the mosquitos and a little bit scared with the lightning, not really knowing if I was in fact safer on the side of the river than just continuing on, I had a moment where I thought, “This is terrible. Why am I doing this?” The moment I got back on the river, my podcast shared the inner thoughts of Hermione, just as she’s realizing she can be a hero (paraphrased): “I wonder how many people become heroes just because they’re embarrassed to turn back? It’s not like we read in the history books, ‘and then they thought “the sensible thing to do would be to stop now,” but then they realized that would be embarrassing, so they continued to save the day.” I laughed out loud.
Folly + determination + embarrassed to quit = heroism?
The river reminded me of Bert's chalk drawings from Mary Poppins. I had this song stuck in my head all day.
I paddled 22 miles today, a long day, but it didn't seem all that long to my muscles, even though they’re definitely sore. My hands ache before anything else now.
I found this bucket floating today. Going to find a new home for it.
Reminds me of Bert's chalk drawings in Mary Poppins
When I arrived at Jacobson campground, I was greeted by Jim Lewis, a prolific paddling adventurer (he did 92 miles in a day a few weeks back! No wonder he suggested I could go 40+ in a day!) I had realized a few days ago that I hadn’t brought enough of my daily contact lenses with me, so I had my uncle Brad send a box to Jim, so he could drop them off for me. At Jim’s near insistence (via text—his messages were sounding more and more like, “I’m going to bring you extra stuff no matter what, so you better tell me what you want!”) I also requested some duct tape and a couple bottles of Gatorade so I am outfitted for taking microplastic samples for the next couple hundred miles. (I’ll drink the Gatorade, and use the bottles to collect water). Jim also brought me some carrots, cucumber, green pepper, broccoli and blueberries, mmmm! Fresh fruits and veggies! In the box of contacts, Brad had also included the Primate Rescue Center stickers that April, the owner, had sent me, and a very sweet gift from my friend Christy—some essential oils, a small sketchbook, and a very sweet note. I felt like Christmas! All this, on the side of the river!
While Jim had been waiting for me, he collected some firewood for my campsite and as I changed into dry clothes, he got the fire started. So great to have a campfire! I’m usually so tired and annoyed by mosquitos that I just hop straight into my tent and don’t bother with a fire. But the fire’s smoke kept the bugs at bay (oh yeah, duh), and it was really nice to have a blazing fire. I might do that more often :) Jim told me all sorts of great stories about some of his adventures, about other paddlers he’s helped over the years. He said, “a lot of people aren’t as prepared as you.” I asked what sorts of things people tend to forget, and he told me the worst example—a story of a man who, by the time he was only a few days beyond where I am now had exchanged boats FOUR TIMES. That made me feel like forgetting to bring enough contacts was really not that big of a deal. I really enjoyed Jim’s company, and look forward to more stories! I am super grateful that I am one of the few paddlers he decided to help as I make my way through his vicinity!
While Jim had been waiting for me, he collected some firewood for my campsite and as I changed into dry clothes, he got the fire started. So great to have a campfire! I’m usually so tired and annoyed by mosquitos that I just hop straight into my tent and don’t bother with a fire. But the fire’s smoke kept the bugs at bay (oh yeah, duh), and it was really nice to have a blazing fire. I might do that more often :) Jim told me all sorts of great stories about some of his adventures, about other paddlers he’s helped over the years. He said, “a lot of people aren’t as prepared as you.” I asked what sorts of things people tend to forget, and he told me the worst example—a story of a man who, by the time he was only a few days beyond where I am now had exchanged boats FOUR TIMES. That made me feel like forgetting to bring enough contacts was really not that big of a deal. I really enjoyed Jim’s company, and look forward to more stories! I am super grateful that I am one of the few paddlers he decided to help as I make my way through his vicinity!
 Jim telling me a story, holding my contacts, in front of the fire we built together. |  Christmas in July! |
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