Instead of staying up to welcome in the "New Year", I greeted it as I usually do, with my camera early in the morning.
It was a very cold morning, and I had only taken a few pictures, as it was not a particularly colourful start to the day. I had already had to back out of a couple of roads, as the snow was a little deeper than I thought...so when this fellow, with an orange kayak strapped to the top of his truck, drove by me down a road, that I knew he wouldn't be able to go too far on, I decided to watch him across the bay to make sure he would not get stuck. He didn't go far, and when he stopped, I was wondering if he was indeed stuck already. He hopped out, and proceeded to unstrap the kayak, and take it down off the racks...I decided to get back in my warm vehicle and watch him...
It took him about fifteen minutes, to get his gear organized, and then carry his kayak to the shore.
I wondered, just how, he was going to get from the shore, to the open water, which was about five hundred yards out from where he was. I watched him as he alternately used his hatchet and his paddle to go on top of the ice, to pull himself along. It must have been exhausting, and he took several breaks to take a rest, a drink, and I could tell he was also taking pictures. As he pulled himself across the ice, I admired the patient determination, that he exhibited, especially when I realized that he would again have to do this to get back to his starting point...after a long cold paddle. I think it was just as gratifying for me to watch him finally reach the water, as it must have been for him. I gave him a silent salute of admiration, as I watched him finally disappear into the mist, stopping to take pictures along the way...I could only imagine the shots he would get on this new years morning paddle.
I thought I was being quite dedicated getting out there that morning, but you just have to give this fellow his due. You just know, that he is passionate about his kayak, and his personal escape into the beauty that is all around us...even if it is freaking cold!
....so there you have it...the story behind this picture
the following images tell the story
Tags: kayak winter ice
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Tags: kayak winter ice
© All Rights Reserved
Tags: kayak winter ice
© All Rights Reserved
Tags: kayak winter ice
© All Rights Reserved
Tags: kayak winter ice
© All Rights Reserved