Time on the water.
(click on images to view them full size)
Where my love for being on the water started.
Water reflection from evening kayaking trip.
I grew up in Windsor, Ontario which is close to the Great Lakes and filled with water bodies. I spent time in my youth canoeing (back country camping trips to Algonquin Park) and sailing (from lasers up to 35’ sailboats on the lakes). It was a source of joy and peacefulness for me. I recall the sound of the wooden paddle dipping into the water repeatedly - there is nothing quite as calming as gliding through a mirror like lake in the early morning mist - that slight crisp chill in the air and muscles that are stretching and warming up under the exertion. I have a very visceral reaction to spending time on the water.
Kayaking in Halifax
The view of my camera in my kayak as I’m paddling.
During my recent trip to the East Coast I had a wonderful opportunity to go sea kayaking one evening from Terence Bay (East Coast Outfitters) which I was so excited to do. I have been sea kayaking in Scotland in the North Sea which was a magical experience - Kory and I go lake kayaking whenever we have a chance.
The conditions were absolutely perfect as we set out with calm still water and blue skies with a hint of a breeze to keep us cool.
The scenery is stunning around Halifax and being out on the water at sunset seemed like a perfect opportunity to spend time in nature and just relax.
We had talked about going to Lunenberg during the day, but in the end we felt that there was going to be enough driving when we headed to St. Andrews and I think this was a good decision. I was definitely tired after our kayak trip and I think more travel that day would have impacted the experience.
I decided to take the opportunity to bring my camera as we headed out for our adventure and try to capture some images. This takes a bit of skill and a good dry bag to keep the camera safe and dry.
I was especially interested in trying to capture the feeling of being out on the open water with the last warmth of the day contrasted against the coolness of the water.
Complete Sensory Experience
I found this evening to be be a total sensory experience with the stunning views, peaceful conditions and the scent combined with the taste of saltwater and kelp beds in the air - I was definitely in my happy place.
This was a guided sunset tour around the bays and islands that started at 5:30 pm and ended about 9 pm just as the sun was setting. We started by being fitted for PFDs (personal floatation devices), paddles and foot pedal position in the kayaks - we were renting ocean kayaks which have rudders that are operated from within the kayak by foot pedals and one of the most frustrating things is if you’re not able to use them when they are not set properly for your height.
This was followed by some good basic instruction to get us ready for the evening ahead. We were a group of 7 visitors and one guide (Travis) - my photography friend Heather and her soon to be daughter-in-law, Wes were with me.
Early morning kayaking at Crimson Lake.
I had my camera in a dry bag and I will admit to being a bit apprehensive about bringing it - was this really a good idea? Phone cameras have become so good that they really are sufficient for a lot of images, but I was hoping to get some bird photography or even some landscape images. I was concerned that it might be distracting or interfere with me fully experiencing the time on the water, but in fact I think it enhanced my experience. I tended to be at the back of the group and I would pause to take images and really take in the atmosphere before paddling to catch up. Our pace was such that I was always able to stay with the group despite my photography pauses.
We started off in the lingering warmth of the day and as I dipped in my paddle for the first time I was transported back to those backcountry canoe trips and time spent on Crimson Lake kayaking - the scents of the earth and water meeting my nose and the feel of shoulder and back muscles loosening up as we started out.
Scents and sounds
There is something about the smell of the salt air that is difficult to describe, but it brings back memories of family vacations to both the East and West coast. The tangy scent of brackish water interspersed with the fresh scent of the breeze bringing the hint of kelp beds and wildflowers to my nose.
The first raspberries of the season.
I closed my eyes at one point and just inhaled the experience - feeling my body relax and images scroll through my mind as wonderful memories were triggered.
Wes had brought raspberries for an after kayaking snack and after several hours warming in the car while we were on the water, they gave off a pungent raspberry scent that made my mouth water in anticipation of the taste of sweet fruit. As I tasted my first raspberry there was that burst of tanginess as the full flavour opens up contrasting with the sweetness of the fruit..
There is nothing like the first raspberries of the season after an amazing kayak trip.
Willet scrounging for a late day snack.
As we arrived on the kayak dock, we were greeted by the sounds of barn swallows zipping by with their wings making a whooshing sound as they dipped and swooped to their nest under the dock. The sound of the water lapping against the wood pilings and the kayak slips formed a counterpoint melody to the far off drone of motorboats out in the channel heading to the open water.
Once we were out in the kayak I heard all sorts of birds noises from the piping sound of willets, the squawks of seagulls and cormorants to the melodious trills of wrens and finches. I often paused just to listen to the birds as they became active before settling down for the night.
Sunset kayak in the bays near Halifax.
There was also the distant sound of waves breaking over the rocks out along the unprotected shoreline - the rhythmic notes of the water hitting rock and then sliding back into the sea was quite hypnotic and I found myself matching my paddling speed to the the wave sound.
As the group bunched up in preparation for crossing the boat channel leading out of the Lower Prospect marina I heard the gentle sound of water lapping against the kayaks and paddles banging against the sides as inexperienced paddlers jockeyed to stay in position while we waited to cross.
At one point Wes wandered a bit too close to a kelp bed and became stuck - I heard the scratching sound of the kelp and reeds against the bottom of the kayak and with a quick shimmy backwards she was free again.
As we relaxed and settled into our rhythms I started to notice that the sound of our paddles dipping into the water became more synchronized .
Sights and tactile sensations
After our orientation, I slid out of my flip flops and stowed them behind my seat before climbing into the kayak - first feeling the residual heat of the day in the dock planking and then the gritty texture of residual sand on the floor of my kayak followed by the coolness from the kayak’s contact with the water against my legs - such a delicious feeling to contrast the heat of the day. I wrapped my hands around the smoothness of the kayak paddle and I felt the slightly sticky feel of salt water residue under my fingers.
After paddling and touring for several hours I felt a numbness growing in my seat and legs - not used to sitting in this position for so long. I shifted slightly to get into a more comfortable position and continued dipping my paddle into the water in a rhythmic pattern.
The pink and golden tones of the sunset reflected in the water of the bay.
As we turned to head back to our starting point I noticed a slight tightness in my face as a mist of saltwater had dried on my skin and hands - slightly sticky and rough like a facial scrub as I swiped my hand over my face.
Once I brought my kayak back into the slip and stepped out I felt the lingering warmth of the day in the dock planks - the rough texture of the wood under my feet felt reassuring, solid and warm. Full feeling returning to my legs and feet as I stretched a bit and felt the blood begin to circulate more fully.
I felt the warmth of the day fading as the sun set - a chill filling the air and I was happy to slide my arms into my warm sweater as we moved back to the car to start our journey home.
Wes and Heather padding into the golden tones of sunset.
Oh the sights! Such a feast for the eyes - this fills in the rest of my sensory experience.
The light rays glinting off the ripples in the water as we set off into the sun - squinting behind sunglasses in the brightness. Recognizing Heather and Wes from the colour of their kayaks.
The dark shadowed water transforming to crystal clear translucency as we move from shade to full sun.
The sandy bottom clearly visible with patches of kelp swaying in the current - the bulbous pieces looking bloated and swollen in the tidal sway.
Cormorants spreading their wings to dry.
Sun bleached red, blue, yellow and green kayaks slip through the water and once vibrant yellow PFDs fill my view.
Heather is in blue and Wes in green - I use their kayak colours to pinpoint their location.
The birds seem happy to flit about our kayaks - teasing us with close up views and then dashing away to land on rocks.
Three cormorants land on a rocky outcrop and one stands with wings outstretched, sunning himself as he dries off his wings.
I can see the golden hue of the setting sun reflected on the side of the rock.
Watching the sunset
I noticed all of us were reluctant for the evening to end and our paddling speed slowed down as we drifted along beside rocky shorelines. The sun started to dip down in the sky and lit up the wispy clouds with pink, mauve, orange and golden tones. The sky changing every few moments - bathing another group of kayakers and a paddle boarder in the last light of the day. The barn swallows greeting us as we returned and doing a wild series of swoops and turns as they brought the last meal of the day back to the nest.
I felt contented and sated as I stood on the dock and looked out over the water we had just explored.
Time on the water is balm for my soul - it brings me back to such happy memories as I make new ones to store away and bring out when I get a hint of that saltwater scent. I am so looking forward to our kayaking trip later this summer - what a wonderful warm up this evening was.
Do you have a happy place - an activity or a location that brings wonderful memories? What triggers those feelings - is it a scent or a sound? Perhaps a taste or a sight? I’d love if you’d share in the comments below or send me a note by clicking on the Connect with Me button.
Last view of the sunset as I watch another group of kayakers coming back to dock.
I hope you’ll come back soon, share a cuppa, relax and enjoy more of my musings.
