It’s Sunday morning in January in McCall, Idaho, and I’m kicking away at the snowbank alongside my yurt in an effort to excavate my creek boat from where it’s been wintering underneath. My hands are already frozen from attaching my kayak stackers to my roof rack in the bitter cold, and now my toes are
Mind Body Paddle recently re-posted the very first blog post I wrote at Anna’s request—the story of how I became a kayak instructor, written before I actually started instructing. Written before I ever knew that I would end up working for Girls at Play/Mind Body Paddle. I was in high school, writing about this dream
It was Memorial Day weekend, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was blessed with rain, runoff, warm weather, and a gaggle of eager kayakers. I couldn’t wait to paddle the Presque Isle and Black Rivers until they dropped into Lake Superior. I couldn’t wait to just be in my boat, making moves and looking where
During the long winter months, many of us aren’t out there kayaking nearly as much, if at all. So what are you doing to keep engaged and keep your body and mind in the sport? While it may be too cold for some of us to venture out, there is plenty out there that can
Happy New Year everyone! I hope that you have had the opportunity to reflect upon the memories of 2016 with awareness and self-love. If you’re like me, you are probably overwhelmed with gratitude for the year’s blessings, and also feeling incredulous that you survived the challenges. You may be looking to the future with much excitement
This past weekend I had three ladies come out to an Intro to Whitewater Clinic. We experienced both sunshine and a thunderstorm together, worked with wet exits, strokes, ferries and eddies. What really struck me was that in the face of something new, these ladies inner strength, light and laughter shone through. Approaching things from a place
Wednesday on waters of the Nantahala, 18 Ladies gathered together to honor Shannon and the river with their laughter, smiles and festive merriment! Anytime you bring a group of ladies on the water together, support, attention and general silliness ensues! From Ferebee through Nantahala falls we eddy hopped, ferried, boofed and bonded. With lunch at
My goals coming into this season were simple: just paddle, paddle, and paddle some more. I didn’t come to the Southeast with a list of desired PFD’s in mind, or a dollar amount that I wanted to earn kayak instructing. I just wanted the experience of living by the river, getting on the river, taking
Next on the list: Lessons from a season of stepping it up Read More »
Saturday was one of those perfect days–perfect weather, great water levels in the Tuck Gorge, and an outstanding group of women who rallied to enjoy the day in Shannon’s honor. 21 0f us took over the Tuck Gorge, and, later, the back balcony of Endless River Adventures for our kickoff party. Laughter, smiles, sweet moves in the river,
Ladies Southeast Paddling Series Kickoff Success! Read More »
For approximately half of my life, I’ve been on a quest for water. Around the age of 11, when I read a novel about a 16-year-old girl rowing the Grand Canyon, I developed a deep fondness for the concept of navigating waterways via boat. Anyone who’s ever lived with me, traveled with me, or gone
A Quest, a Question and the Power of a Quiet Mind Read More »
