We went to Winnetka to play bridge today, for a Swiss team with B* and one of his frequent partners. We ended up doing not so great at bridge, despite me bidding (and making) a bold and decisive slam at one point. (Oh and blowing a doubled contract two matches later, lest you think I’m full of the bridge awesome.) But, on our way to bridge, we saw signs for a kayak demo as well as bike rentals. We didn’t have anything to do, and it was a beautiful day. We decided to stop by the park, see if the kayak demo was still happening, and, if it was, we’d demo some kayaks, and if it wasn’t, we’d rent bikes and ride through the park.

After pulling up to the boat launch, we saw one truck with kayaks on it, but the kayaks looked like rentals more than demos. My DH talked to the truck’s owner and found out that the demo was over, but that she was about to take a group on a kayak tour. We decided to go along, especially since the tour guide filled my sunblock need. (I hadn’t planned on being outside.) So, a short while later, I was adjusted in a kayak and in the water. My birks rode along in the kayak’s storage bin, and Scott’s tennis shoes and socks kept them company. We paddled around in circles near the dock while waiting on the rest of the group (a small family from Elk Grove) to get in the water. I really wish I remembered the brand of my kayak, because it was short and light and pretty easygoing.

Anyways, we did a 2 hour kayak tour, really easy paddling and fun. We saw lots of birds and lots of bugs. I saw a few turtles. Scott saw a deer. For a spontaneous adventure, it turned out awesome. My arms are tired, but I really enjoyed it. It’s a good kind of movement for me, I think. My left knee (the problem knee) was really stiff and sore when I got out of the kayak, but I think I could have fixed that if I’d brought the footpegs closer to me. I think I’d like kayaking better if I sat indian style, too (meaning, in the style of sitting known as indian style, not kneeling as native americans once did in kayaks and canoes). But, if you use the foot pegs, you need your feet out front.

Map of our Kayak Route (3.66 miles, by estimation)