Kayaking in the Rio Grande (October 18, 2008)

We finally used our kayaking skills in the Rio Grande near Taos, NM. The weather was exceptional. I was the first to capsize. Upside down, under the boat, I forgot all of my pool training. I pulled the rip cord on the kayak skirt and "wet exited" into the cold water. I capsized two more times before we finished the day.

My favorite part of the trip was when Josh and Dillon had a "roll" contest. Rolling is when you tip upside down, and then right yourself and your boat. Dillon was the first to roll the kayak. Josh followed and both men kept rolling until Dillon, blue faced because of the cold water, stopped. Josh kept rolling his kayak. After 14 successful rolls, with an exhausted look on his face, he failed to right the kayak and he had to wet exit. He kept repeating, "awesome adrenaline rush!"

Here's the group:

Some individual shots of the kayaking men:

This guy is practicing ballet. Funny what wearing a skirt does to a man.
The next pictures are more manly:
Do you see the excitement?


Sam, our guide kneeling in the front/right, was awesome. We are grateful for his time and effort in teaching and guiding us! Our plan is to keep taking lessons from him and do another kayaking adventure next year!