Time, Flowing Gently
I've started combining my newest addiction of kayaking with my love of photography. Instead of just paddling for hours as a workout, I use the kayak to slowly explore new rivers and see things you couldn't see from the land. Sometimes it's just a new angle or viewpoint, but sometimes you are able to get to locations you simply could not get to by hiking or walking.
One Sunday morning I left home under beautiful sunny skies headed for the Pinelands to kayak. As I drove deeper into the Pinelands and closer to the coast, the sun gave way to clouds... then mist... then drizzle. As I pulled into the launch site, I briefly thought about turning around. But there was a group of ten girl scouts already there, excitedly and loudly climbing into their kayaks. And these weren't just any girl scouts - these were Pinelands Girl Scouts! I thought if they could do it, I could too! What really happened is they saw me pull in with my kayak on the Jeep - and turning around now would subject me to ridicule and taunting - so I toughed it out! :)
It turned out to be a great decision. The girl scouts stayed on the lake and I paddled into the river. The drizzle stopped, but the clouds remained. It gave the river a dark and mysterious mood. I paddled slowly for hours - sometimes just gliding on the slow current - enjoying the peace and quiet of the river. I took a lot of bad photographs - it's hard enough when everything is still, but imagine trying to compose and focus while the current is moving you.
But, I also took this one which seemed to capture the mood of the river - dark and mysterious yet somehow light and hopeful at the same time. Every day and every visit to the Pinelands is different - and rewarding.