Kayaking...fun!

Back around 2008 we went for an expected 10ish day / 100mi hike on the Appalachian trail. Things didn’t quite go as planned, and around day 7, we got into town and my hiking partner (now wife) turned her ankle in a parking lot tripping over one of those concrete wheel stops.

That ended our hiking a few days early, but we still had a great time. We rented a car, explored the area, and ended up at the NOC where we went rafting down the Nantahala.

It was fantastic.

We ended the raft run and immediately signed up to head down the river again on inflatable kayaks called “duckies.” It was guided, we had a lot of fun and kayaking ended up on the should do list.

Some years later, we rented kayaks and set off down an easy river float. It didn’t go so well. The outfitter dropped us off, said “have fun” and left us to float back to town.

I had no clue what I was doing. I swam multiple times that day and didn’t have a good time. Then my wife fell on shore when we got out at the end and needed some minor first aid (which we did not have on us).

I remember lamenting that I needed a class. This was over a decade ago.

I just took a local (1hr drive) class and it was fantastic. I had so much fun. I wish I’d found this sooner. I can’t wait to get out on the water again!