This past summer I walked out the door to go for a kayak ride on the Susquehanna River. My wife gave me one of those, \u201cBe Careful\u201d good-byes. \u201cI will,\u201d I responded.<\/p>\n
Of course, I would – an 80-year-old guy with poor balance, dragging a kayak a quarter mile to a steep bank, then down to the water, stepping in while holding the paddle and sliding down into the seat, hoping the kayak won\u2019t shift and dump him (me) in the drink.<\/p>\n
I had a life vest tucked behind the seat. I don\u2019t wear it; it makes it cumbersome to paddle. State boating regulations only require that it be on board. If that\u2019s good enough for the \u201cnanny state,\u201d it\u2019s good enough for me.<\/p>\n
On that day, I headed up stream; there was a stiff breeze at my back, creating white caps across the river. I stayed near the shore (following my wife\u2019s order to \u201cbe careful\u201d) where it was relatively calm, and started paddling.<\/p>\n
Typically, I\u2019ll take 50 strokes, rest for ten seconds, and repeat, until my arms get used to the abuse. I passed by the nursing home (hopefully not in my immediate future) and took a quick peek across the river to where I once had a small cabin overlooking the water. Everything looked ship-shape. Thanks to Chris, the present owner. <\/p>\n
I was headed to Hickories Park, about a 2-mile trip. I paddled past MJ\u2019s Restaurant where a few folks on the deck waved, past Greg Kies\u2019 car lot and up to the lighthouse. At that point, I figured I\u2019d gone far enough, a quarter mile short of my goal.<\/p>\n
I turned the kayak around, thinking I\u2019d let the current carry me back home. But the wind was stronger than the current; my kayak didn\u2019t move; I\u2019d have to paddle back. Probably a good thing, because when I do drift down river I usually nod off; it\u2019s a very relaxing ride; all you can see are trees along the shore and the sky above. I pretend I\u2019m in the Adirondacks, not running parallel to a busy Route 17C. <\/p>\n
I made it back safely, dragged the kayak up the bank and to the house. It\u2019s the result you get when you\u2019re careful. Every parent exhorts the same \u201cbe careful\u201d assertion whenever their kid heads out on a bicycle, and especially in the family sedan. It\u2019s never taken seriously, and they know it, but if anything happens, it\u2019s the perfect set-up for an \u201cI told you so!\u201d I avoid those like the plague!<\/p>\n