Monday, August 6, 2018

Water, Water, Water (WW # 157)


Wendy and I host this linkup for
the sole purpose of supporting active women.
We thank you for linking your 
FITNESS  RELATED  POST  with us!


****************************************


Go ahead and sit back.  There was a lot of water themed action going on around here [the best kind for a southern summer weekend] with my good friend and co-host Wendy.  It's going to be hard to condense into one post.  But, I'll give it my best.




This weekend marked Wendy's and my second annual water skiing extravaganza.  I had been eagerly anticipating it for months!  I asked if she was also up for a Coosa River Adventure.  Although we'd love nothing more, our aging bodies simply won't let us ski all day.  Naturally, she was up for the challenge!  

Friday morning, we listened intently as the wizened, long-haired river hippie performed our safety briefing, all the while being eaten alive by mosquitoes.  I admit I was nervous after hearing about rapids, sharp rocks, entrapment, and the like.  He was frank about how three deaths had occurred in his 23 years of business.  Gulp.  After the stinkiest, hottest van ride imaginable to the entry point beneath the dam, we hopped in our kayaks are were ready to go. 





We were expecting four sections of rapids.  What we didn't realize were how many smaller sets were in each section.  Whew!  We successfully navigated 2 sections...well, except for when Wendy was stuck on some rocks and we laughed until almost wetting ourselves.  But we were thinking:  What's the big deal?  This is easy!  

And then we arrived at the third section of rapids known as Moccasin Gap.

[ cue ominous music...or the theme from Deliverance ]

We had been instructed to paddle left for easier passage.  Wendy suggested we go right.  I agreed. Because really, what's the fun in being a chicken doodie?  She paddled in.  I followed.  Within seconds, my kayak spun and I went down the drop sideways.  I hit a rock and was dumped over.  I went under swirling and bumping around until it calmed enough for me to stand.  I'm still waiting for those Coosa River tattoos (what the old river hippie called bruises) to appear on my rear.  Between giggles, Wendy helped me back into my kayak.  I had fully expected to get wet and thanked my lucky stars for purchasing a water proof box for my phone and key fob. 




The rest of the 7 mile trek was uneventful; the remaining rapids tame.  We enjoyed the beautiful rock facings and outcroppings, incredible blue skies and warm sunshine.  The solitude of the river was amazing.  I can't say enough how much fun this was.  After landing, we stopped to refuel with a late BBQ lunch and drove back up to the dam...this time on the other side...for water skiing.   Yep, that's how we roll.

After some solo ski runs, we decided to ski together.  Let me just say how difficult it is to get out of the water in tandem due to the closeness of the other skier. The fear of crashing into each other is very real.  But, we nailed it on the second attempt!  My title picture above is from our first tandem run (a huge shout out to our willing boat driver and photographer PoPo).  Wendy still has mad skills and we exhausted ourselves.  We capped off the evening at a favorite local Mexican restaurant.

Thanks Wendy for some very unique photos!


After such an ambitious and tiring Friday, and after several cups of much needed coffee in the back porch swing, we spent Saturday morning in the pool floating and soaking up more sunshine.   Later in the afternoon, we returned to the lake for more skiing.  Sadly, the water conditions were not as favorable but we made the most of it.  We ended the day with delicious Greek food.

A rough day is still a good day on the lake!

Sunday morning dawned bright and hot but we were determined to run a few miles.  We went to a local running trail I had never run, always thinking it wasn't wise to run there alone.  It was a lovely trail but very few people were there.  The sweat was dripping from my elbows within minutes.  We stopped at First Watch and indulged with pancakes. 







It was soon sadly time for our water adventure weekend to end but not before a few more pool shenanigans.   Thank you Wendy for being my kind of crazy.


No, this did not end well.  Just ask Rocky.

And that's a wrap!


What is the last adventurous thing you did?

What is your favorite "other" activity?



74 comments:

  1. I've loved all of the pics that you and Wendy have shared from the weekend. Its clear that you ladies had an absolute blast together! I'm sure you're both thankful for the gorgeous weather that you had during your time together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The weekend forecast looked awful all week. I just knew we wouldn't get to go on our kayaking trip. I'm so thankful we had beautiful weather!

      Delete
  2. Giggling at that last picture! What an absolutely amazing weekend and I can't believe it's over. At least I have my very large Coosa River tattoo to remind me of all the fun we had!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sadly was over too quickly! I finally found my tattoo. I knew it should be there after bumping around on those rocks. It didn't compare to yours though!

      Delete
  3. So much fun! Water activities are the best. My favorite is SUP (including paddlesurfing and SUP yoga). Anything on the water, really!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I STILL haven't done SUP. Isn't that crazy? And I love water activities!

      Delete
  4. I love your pics and adventures together, really brought a smile to my face!

    I went wayyy out of my comfort zone in a sport-related thing yesterday: I didn't think my first try at officiating in track and field would involve a national meet! I was at the Transplant Games and at one point heard the woman who was supervising me say, "OK, so call out the shot putters' names in order, check they don't step out of the ring, measure and record their putt (someone else held each end of the tape), shout out their distance, and on the third round, shout out the distance AND their best distance out of three". Um. OK. Eeps. But I did!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so cool you were able to work at a national meet! It's seems like a lot to handle but you did it!

      Delete
  5. I miss adventuring! With a two-year-old in tow and no family for extended stays close by, we are kind of limited. Can't wait until she is old enough to adventure side-by-side with me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My boys have adventured with me over the years (horseback riding, hiking, parasailing, helicopter rides, air boat rides, tubing, snow skiing...etc.)! You'll have so much fun.

      Delete
  6. That right there is a wonderful kind of crazy. So glad you girls enjoyed a fun weekend together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe we should do a overnight group kayaking/rafting trip. Or maybe not...I've seen too many scary movies regarding same. LOL.

      Delete
  7. What a fun weekend of water adventures! I'm glad you two were not hurt during kayaking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! I expected to go in the water so I wasn't really surprised about that. But there sure were a lot of sharp rocks around.

      Delete
  8. OMG what a super fun weekend! I loved seeing all of your adventures on Instagram this weekend too. I love that you and Wendy got to enjoy a weekend together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it weren't for blogging, Wendy and I would have never met. I do not know another female who still water skis. Isn't that crazy?

      Delete
  9. The trip looks like so much fun! Smart to have waterproof gear and I hope that your "tattoos" don't end up appearing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did find a small tattoo, but nothing like Wendy's! I'm so glad I bought the box. It will come in handy for my next kayaking trip too.

      Delete
  10. I had more FOMO about this than missing a race-cation.

    Glad it worked out for you both...loved following you on IG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're just going to have to do a weekend adventure convention somewhere! Wouldn't that be fun? We'd need sponsors! LOL.

      Delete
  11. It all looks so beautiful -- except, of course, the mosquitoes. They're not bad up here - one of the few things that isn't bad!

    You guys packed so much into one weekend -- it's amazing! Who says you slow down in your 50s?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually don't worry about mosquitoes during the day (at least when in my own yard). So we weren't prepared when we arrived at the kayaking place. Thankfully, a very nice woman shared her bug repellent lotion with us or we'd have hundreds of bites!

      Delete
  12. Looks like a ton of fun. We don't have much kayaking here, and I chose not to canoe or kayak in Alaska. One of these days, I have to try it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really fun. Kayaking can be very adventurous or very calm depending on the location you choose. What we did recently in Florida was very tame and relaxing.

      Delete
  13. This sounds like it was such a fun weekend! I've always wondered how you get out of the water for tandem skiing....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's very difficult. You have to be as close as possible, but you don't want to bang into each other.

      Delete
  14. Everything about this looks like a blast! I love that you chose the tougher of the rapids... I'm not sure I would have after that intimidating intro!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't imagine the higher class of rapids that people navigate. These were just class III and that was plenty hard for me!

      Delete
  15. MM pancakes!
    Water skiing is one of those things on my bucket list, but never found a good place here. Parasailing on the other hand.. Loved that.
    Glad you two had such a blast, hope you're not too bruised

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parasailing is definitely fun! I just feel you don't get your money's worth for the short time (minutes) you are up there.

      Delete
  16. What a fun and action packed weekend! I'm glad that you and Wendy didn't get hurt on those rapids, sounds intense, though fun! It's always great when you can find someone who's just as crazy/adventurous as you are, lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's pretty intense, especially when you get dumped like me! LOL. It's hard to get back in the kayak without going over to the bank. And I was trying to avoid that because of...snakes.

      Delete
  17. What a fantastic weekend, filled with so much fun and so much laughter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There definitely no shortage of laughter. You have to be able to laugh at yourself!

      Delete
  18. Yayyy for such a fun weekend! I am not a very adventurous person and I think the last thing I did was repelling in Costa Rica. But that was more than 3 years ago and before I had kids! Life has changed since :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is one thing I've never tried! It looks difficult.

      Delete
  19. What a fun weekend! The kayak trip sounds like quite the adventure. That was smart to be prepared with the water proof boxes.

    ReplyDelete
  20. It sounds like you two had an amazing weekend! Isn't it wonderful how some of us have been able to make great friendships through our blogs? I would have never met Meagan (Turkey Runner) if it hadn't been for our blogs and we've had some really fun Ragnar adventures/shenanigans and training runs since we met. So fun!

    Thanks for the linkup!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never known another woman who slalom water skied until I met Wendy through our blogs. Isn't that crazy?

      Delete
  21. Sounds like a great time! We spend the weekend at the lake also. I always feel like I need a break after my trips. So sleepy!

    Thanks for the linkup!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love being at the lake. As a child, we went to an old lake cabin most weekends. There's just something about being there that feels like home.

      Delete
  22. Loved following your adventures on IG! So glad you had such a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad the rainy weekend forecast was wrong and we were able to get out on the water!

      Delete
  23. I love the look on your dog's face as you two jumped into the pool! What a super fun weekend; all that water sounds so nice with as hot as it's been.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny, Rocky was nowhere to be found in later shots. I think he was getting wet! Or we were scaring him. LOL.

      Delete
  24. That seriously sounds like the BEST weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You give me water and sunshine, and I'm a happy camper. I think Wendy is pretty much the same way!

      Delete
  25. Although this all looks like so much fun, I'm a big chicken doodle when it comes to open water. UGH. I'd happily sit on the bank, though, and watch those kayak antics LOL But the BBQ lunch? I'd be down for that #yum

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I grew up spending weekends on a lake. We swam in it all day long! So, it just feels natural for me. That BBQ was so good, we went back to the same place for lunch the next day. YUMMY.

      Delete
  26. Oh, super fun!

    I love that last photo of you two! I would love to see the exciting conclusion!

    I have never been water skiing, and wouldn't even know how to get started, but I am always so impressed by those who can and do. Such a talent.

    My last adventurous thing was embarking on a secret trip to visit a friend, and before that, probably just paddle boarding at the Salt Run. Nothing too crazy, but fun anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well suffice to say, we did not hit the water very gracefully. LOL. I need to try paddle boarding. It sounds fun.

      Delete
  27. It was fun seeing all your photos over the weekend. The water skiing looks like a blast! I just had a vacation, but could use some girlfriend time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I told Deborah while in Chicago how I really wanted to meet you! We've got to come up with something. Let's put our thinking caps on.

      Delete
  28. I love everything about this fun weekend! Kayaking looks like such fun, and I hope your “tattoos” don’t last too long!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did find a small tattoo in a (ahem) hidden location. LOL.

      Delete
  29. Sounds like a very fun weekend! How awesome you got to share it with your co-host of the link-up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We'll definitely continue our annual water skiing weekend. It's a must!

      Delete
  30. I love your description of that guy!! LOL! And I can only imagine the van ride. *insert green face emoji* I get carsick anyway AND I'm claustrophobic so I'd have been that crazy person arm wrestling everyone for shot gun and then hanging my head out the window. haha!

    I've never waterskied - never had the opportunity and honestly, I'm a big ole chicken. LOL So glad you guys had a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was no way to open the windows in the back of the van where I was sitting. Ugh. It was awful Wendy had the prime front seat, open window location! Although I'm not sure sitting up from with river hippie is considered prime.

      Delete
  31. That looks like a total blast!

    ReplyDelete
  32. FUN!!!! I love your and Wendy's friendship in the blogosphere and "real" life! Did you two initially meet via blogging or know each other beforehand? Kayaking the rapids sounds fun thought maybe a little too rough for me. I'm a water chicken. Way to stay cool - I'm sure the heat is just crazy there! MN is pretty toasty today :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We did meet through blogging. I noticed she had a picture of herself waterskiing on her blog header. I couldn't believe I had found someone like me!

      Delete
  33. Sounds like such a fun weekend! I started kayaking recently and really enjoy it, but rapids like that would totally intimidate me - good for you for embracing the challenge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They certainly intimidated me! Until I fell in that is... After the initial dunk, you just kind of think "bring it on!".

      Delete
  34. Sounds like an awesome time with Wendy! Love the waterskiing pics! You guys rock!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish we had better conditions on day two. We tried to make the best of it though.

      Delete
  35. So much fun! Love all the pics of rafting and skiing! And of course running :)
    Sounds like a perfect time with fun activities, yummy food and I am sure great conversation :)
    Glad y'all had a wonderful time together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We always appreciate the opportunity to get together for any type of adventure!

      Delete
  36. Aww, I just loved following along with your adventures in Alabama! The river adventure reminded me of our century ride shenanigans ...minus the wheels. Lol I'm glad you ladies had so much fun and now that I've been to that favorite Mexican restaurant of yours, I am a tad envious of that margarita!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We couldn't help but hum the Deliverance theme a few times. True to form, we had the homemade tableside guacamole as well. YUMMY. So when are you returning to Bama? Hmmm?

      Delete
  37. wow you 2 sure packed in a ton of fun and excitement! I think I would have really freaked out if my kayak flipped over like that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I realized I was going in...and just accepted my fate. It was sort of a Slo Mo kind of thing happening. Afterward, I wasn't scared of whatever the river had left to surprise me with.

      Delete

I enjoy reading your comments. Thanks for taking the time to leave one!