Alaska: Day 7: 7-12-93: Sea Kayaking In Juneau

[Editor's Note: Today is my one month anniversary with Christine -- I miss you, "Puddy"!]

Thankfully, the sea calmed down, and I was able to go on the kayak excursion with Alaska Adventures. After checking in with mom, catching a quick breakfast at Mickey D's (two Egg McMuffins and a McOrange Juice -- I'm so glad I've had the chance to taste local cuisine) and bidding adieu to Pat in a coffee shop called Whale's Tale, I brought myself and my stuff over to the tour office.

One by one, my fellow kayakers assembled outside. We were quite an eclectic bunch: besides myself (a native New Yorker), the group included the previously introduced John and Susan Fisher (from Delaware), as well as Mike (from Tennessee), Heather (from California), Cindy (from Texas), three French people (from France) and two local tour guides. It was a beautifully warm, sunny day (albeit a tad hazy -- seems there was a huge forest fire in Canada which worked its smoky way to Alaska on the prevailing winds) and we were all psyched up for a gorgeous day of adventurous sight-seeing.

But not so fast. First we had to drive to the rental office where we all paid and signed away our lives. It was here, at the 11th hour, that we were all reminded we'd need sunglasses. So Heather and I (the only unprepared ones) dashed to the local store to each buy a cheap pair. We ended up with a matching couple of garishly spray painted shades. They were comical, but functional (and thankfully, disposable!).

Then it was off to Lynn Bay, where we gathered our equipment, comprised of kayaks, oars, rubber boots, life vests and "skirts" (waterproof bibs which wrap around the kayak seat hole, effectually sealing the paddler off from wetness -- from the waist down, at least). All the kayaks were doubles, so the entire group had to pair off. I ended up with Mike.

After a brief safety orientation and a kayaking 101 cram session, we "pushed off." I must say, I took to kayaking like the proverbial duck to water -- I really enjoyed it! The kayak was so fast and sleek on the water, cutting through the waves like a knife through butter (that's two similes in a row, in case you're keeping track at home). Mike and I established an instant rhythm, and, as we effortlessly cruised by the other kayaks (some were truly floundering), I was glad we had been partnered together.

------------------------------Row, Row, Row Your Boat . . .-----------------------

During the course of the tour, we encountered a menagerie of wildlife, including Bald Eagles, sea lions, porpoises and various water fowl. Unfortunately, the animals I most wanted to see -- the whales -- stood me up! I had heard tell that humpbacks had a penchant for swimming right next to (and even under) the kayaks.

At midday, we stopped for a power lunch on Whatchamacallit Island. I had 5 juice boxes, 2 smoked Sockeye Salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwiches, 1 smoked sausage and cheddar cheese bagel sandwich, apple slices, orange slices, crackers, 2 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and a Snickers Bar (Clearly kayaking burns energy, for this was a big meal even by my standards! Heather took one look at my 155 lb. frame and wondered enviously where I put it all).

Soon enough, it was time to paddle off again. But this time, the wind was stronger and the sea was rougher. The now white-capped waves were often higher than the kayak and completely soaked my upper body each time they broke over us. Summer or not, that sea water is no bubble bath -- that shit be cold! Thankfully, we made it to the shore without capsizing (I wouldn't have wanted to attempt my first "Eskimo Roll" under those conditions).

After stashing the gear, we were driven back to the rental store, where another van picked us up to bring us back to Juneau. Since I was catching a flight to Anchorage, the guides were kind enough to drop me off at the airport, where I boarded the plane on which I am currently scribbling this memoir.

11:45 p.m.

Upon arriving at the Anchorage Airport, Dave Waxman (Scott's friend), ever true to his word, met me when I got off the plane. His sister Becky drove us back to her house, where Dave and I ate fresh cherries and played Rummy 500 until we got tired. I took a shower, did my laundry and started writing this paragraph. It's now very late, and we are leaving very early tomorrow for Denali National Park (five of us, in total -- myself, Dave, a guy named Dan and two gals named Roz and Marce), so it's off to bed.