OMD Travelogue | Day 35
[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]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.
[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_line][x_creative_cta padding=”25px 25px 25px 25px” text=”Read More from
Operation Moto Dog!” font_size=”36px” icon=”hand-o-right” icon_size=”48px” animation=”slide-top” link=”http://mallorypaige.com/blog” color=”” bg_color=”#ce901c” bg_color_hover=”#78dbce”][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h2″ icon=”motorcycle” class=”center-text “]Get Bonus Stories[/x_feature_headline][x_text class=”center-text “]Each week we’ll send you behind the scenes stories & pics from Operation Moto Dog.
Sign up below. –>
[/x_text][x_line][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section]
My son Nathan told me about you. I have traveled in the lower 48 on my Harley after my husband passed away, but never through Alaska by myself. Love reading about you. Thanks for sharing. Cindi
I’m sure you have some great stories from your rides, Cindi! Excited to see more of the lower 48 along my trip – let me know if you have any favorite spots!
I came across your trip blog on ADVrider and it lead me here…. As a guy who’s been on the cusp for a few years of some great road trip and a huge dog lover I was thrilled to find your story! The fact you take him with you makes me smile from ear to ear!
Thanks, Chris! He’s the best sidekick – I’m one lucky girl!