JOURNEY #1 - August 29, 2001

York Harbor, Maine: "How We Got Started"

PICTURES

Julie In Front Of Attractive Harbor Property
In The Harbor
Julie In The Water

TRIP REPORT

Although we had both done lots of canoeing earlier in our lives, neither of us had done any kayaking. Keenan stopped canoeing as a teenager due to upper back pain, which fortunately is no longer part of his life, but proper canoeing - which requires kneeling on the bottom - is not something either of us is crazy about. So for the previous seven years of our relationship, we hadn't done much in the way of paddle sports.

One early summer day in 2001, Keenan had been running around doing some errands for work, and grabbed some fries and a drink on the way back. He decided to stop at Commissioner Park behind the National Archives to enjoy them while overlooking the Ottawa River. Along came a couple in a double kayak, right past where he was sitting. Naturally a conversation ensued, and Keenan was hooked: he had to learn more about it. Julie was quite receptive to the news, and as our wedding was approaching on August 25, we resolved to ensure that the honeymoon (which immediately followed the wedding) would include kayaking.

We decided on a trip to Ogunquit, Maine, as we had been there before and thoroughly enjoyed all that is has to offer. Art, theatre, exquisite dining, and of course the Atlantic Ocean.

Wednesday, August 29 was kayaking day...the first time for both of us. We found a kayak tour operation called Excursions on Route 1, and we headed out with nine other members of the morning tour along with our guide "Dan" for a half-day excursion in York Harbour and the Atlantic coast. This was no joke...it was three hours of hard paddling covering 7 miles...but we loved it! Keenan got to use a rather nice rotomolded german boat known as the Prijon Kodiak, which was the only one big enough to accomodate him, once they removed the thigh braces. Julie got a decent rotomolded Necky Looksha IV.

Julie was a natural right away, but Keenan was rather tippy and the guide seemed to think he would capsize. Haha. Some three hours later, Julie capsized in the Atlantic, due to the fact that she was impatient waiting for some of the slower paddlers, and decided to experiment with some creative manoevers that ended up flipping her into the ocean. Fortunately, Julie does not share Keenan's phobia of sharks (too much Discovery Channel late at night) and she calmly waited for the guide to help her get back in and continue on.

It was a very interesting and rather challenging tour as a first time experience, but that was good. We got a chance to experience currents, wind, and waves, and we had to work pretty hard against the ocean winds at times, which was just what we were looking for. We ate a delicious picnic lunch on a lighthouse island at the end of the harbor, and then went right out into the Atlantic before turning back.

For just $140 for the two us, including equipment, transportation, lunch, and guide, this was an excellent value and a great experience. We both headed back to Ottawa firmly interested in purchasing our own kayaks.