Thursday: There were no lees today. However, I was sure that I could find one somewhere between Bourne and Marion. so with HMS Mary Jane Pillsbury strapped to the racks on top of my car, we went looking for one. The last chance was the West side of Onset Bay and Sunset Cove. I figured that if I launched at Onset Pier beach I could battle my way “uphill” to a place sheltered enough so the wind wouldn’t rip the paddle out of my hand.
I got the boat ready and I suited myself up. As I looked out on the bay I found myself thinking, “This kind of wind was practically a daily experience when I paddled the coast of Newfoundland as a young ( I was only 60) paddler 18 years ago…..If I’d been unable to handle stuff like this I’d never have made it out of Newfoundland……Let’s give it a go.”
Fortunately, a stronger inner voice spoke up,” Hey, listen to me Ultra Geezer!…..You’ve been having trouble with winds that are less than what is out there. You’ll have to put the strongest effort of the 900 miles so far from the very first stroke…a great way to strain something that could mess up the last 100 miles….Act your age, Stupid!”
“What do you mean, “Act your age?…..I’m only 18 years older than when I could handle a wind like this!”…..
Good sense reigned. The humbled Ultra Geezer put the kayak on the roof racks, got out of his Top-of-the Line kayak gear,and drove home to spend the rest of the day getting caught up on the crossword puzzles he’d been neglecting.
