Crazy Kayak Girl

The summer of 2008, I went kayaking about six times. The Severn, the Magothy, the Bay, became as much my waterfront as any one elses. No cell phone, no moving quickly. The sun, the salty-ish air, the birds, and my sister and friends made for hours of paradise in my own neighborhood.

We'd typically meet at the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Eastport for their legendary Bloody Mary(s) and then walk down the block to rent kayaks from Annapolis Canoe and Kayak rentals. They hold an annual end-of-season kayak sale and I was among the handful of people anxiously waiting for them to open the doors on Sunday morning.

An hour later, I was a proud boat owner! My kayak is a blue Dagger 12 with a skeg. Now all I need is a paddle, a whistle, a bailing system (sponge or cup and sponge), and a life jacket!

There is one other small detail that I didn't think through - transportation. For now, my kayak is safely cradled at Annapolis Canoe and Kayak. Next weekend, I hope to recruit a friend with a large vehicle to help me get my boat home. It is just possible that this modest kayak may fit inside my vehicle with the hatch open, etc. We'll see. Until then, if you see me walking down College Parkway with a kayak trailing behind me, you'll know that I'm headed for water!