OMD Travelogue | Day 35

Having spent the afternoon writing at the Homer Library, I head to the Spit. Rider Nathan has offered a Stand Up Paddleboard session and I just can’t resist an adventure.

Wind increasing, we agree the conditions are still SUP worthy. I slip on his wife’s neoprene booties and pick the largest, most-stable looking board.

Nathan powers through the water smoothly. He clearly has a great deal of experience and skill.

Baylor and I wobble along the chop. Hoping that happy determination can make up for little experience and no skill, I try to remember what I learned SUPing an untippable yoga board in warm Floridian waters and riding the current of an Oregonian river, where Baylor bailed out immediately and I swam nearly every rapid. But between the wind, waves and puppy wiggles simply staying upright is taking all of my concentration.

Giving into the wobble, I drop down and begin paddling from my knees. Baylor scooches even closer, apparently wishing I’d just give up paddling and hold him.

The wind and receding tide making quick work of our paddle out, we change direction, aim for land.

Enjoying the rhythmic movement and stories from Nathan, I don’t notice that we’ve hardly made any progress towards shore.

Adjusting course, I stand, hoping to gain more paddle strength upright. Bay and I once again begin our wiggle, wobble, paddle dance. Off rhythm, Baylor slips to the right and I follow suit. Legs dangling in the frigid waters, I quickly get back on the board, pull a soggy Baylor back into position. In a move that would cause SUPers the world over to cringe, I sit cross legged, paddle from a seated position.

Having remained impressively nonchalant through all of this, Nathan resumes paddling next to us. We talk of Alaska, family, travel and adventures. I wonder aloud what it is that makes people want to seek adventure, particularly on motorbike.

Nathan responds, There are times in life where I feel like I’m just watching the movie, but when I’m on my motorcycle I feel like I’m in the movie.

I smile, nod. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

35 days down. Many to come.
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