My friend Lynda, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, has a marvelous gift for embracing life at its fullest and grabbing the hands of those around her to come along for the ride. As I am generally inclined to err on the side of caution, it is good for me to have a friend like Lynda to pull me out of the observation booth and out into the arena of life with all the wonderful adventures it has to offer.
This past Saturday, Dave and I finally headed north on 29 to spend the day with Lynda and her husband, Larry, at the home on Lake Thoreau in Fairfax County. It was an absolute glorious summer day, the kind you wish could be the norm rather than the exception. It was warm and sunny, all blue skies with a comfortable breeze and low humidity. We arrived just before noon bearing Hoffman’s hotdogs my sister, Barb, brought down in April. Larry and Lynda are from Chicago and can truly appreciate the epicurean delight of a real hotdog in a natural casing.
After a quick tour of their home, we began assembling our lunch. First on the list was beverages. Lynda decided she would make a batch of her newly discovered summer drink, the “Beer-garita”, a frozen mixture of limeade, tequila, crushed ice and a bottle of beer. I know you’re probably cringing. I know I did. Especially given my episodes of “aversion therapy” with beer in college, I am still unable to tolerate the taste of beer. Lynda assured me it would be delicious and refreshing and surprisingly it was! It was less biting than a regular margarita and a bit sweeter. I highly recommend this at your next backyard party.
Dave and Larry grilled the hotdogs and we enjoyed them el fresco with slaw and potato chips; barbecue for Larry and I and kettle cooked for Dave and Lynda. Their property backs right up to the lake so the view was one of sun-kissed water lined by shady banks. On the water were a handful of party barges and floating docks ferrying folks out to relax on the water. Since the lake is relatively small, only electric motors are allowed on the watercraft, so there were no loud sounds of revving motors or waves slapping the shore after a boat went by. In fact, it was so quiet, that we could easily hear the song of a sparrow who perched atop the maple tree near our table.
It wasn’t long after lunch that we decided to change into our swim suits and hit the water ourselves. Once we were out a ways, Lynda and I jumped into large tubes and let the boys tow us around the lake. It was more like controlled drifting, but it was heavenly. We lay in the tubes, totally relaxed to the point of limpness, chatting and catching up while Larry and Dave took turns steering and napping. It was total self-indulgence for all of us and it felt ever so good and necessary.
All too soon it was time to head back to the dock so we didn’t run the motor battery completely down and strand ourselves in the lake. Without missing a beat, right after docking, Lynda walked up the house and grabbed her son-in-law’s paddle board and announced we would all be giving it a try.
After a shaky start, Lynda was soon paddling around on the board. I guess to ease me into my turn, she suggested I kneel in front of her on the board as she paddled me around. It was fun. I felt sort of like I was riding a gondola in Venice, or heading down the Amazon in a dugout canoe with Lynda standing behind me, carefully moving the paddle from side to side as we made circles around the lake. Then she headed back and it was my turn.
Keep in mind this is not an activity I would have ever attempted without a nudge. When I see someone doing this kind of activity, I secretly wish I could give it a try, but never voice my desire to anyone lest they actually take me up on it. Instead, it takes a sister-friend, who knows my fears as well as my secret desires to take me by the hand and give me that gentle nudge or in this case hand me the paddle and tell me to climb aboard – literally!
With much coaching and a less than steady launch, I was off! I can’t say I was totally relaxed on my paddle board adventure. If I had been able, I think my toes would have burrowed into the fiber glass and gripped over the ledge. My arches ached from my attempts to grip with my feet, but I was doing it; I was standing on a board and paddling in small circles atop the water.
The photo Lynda took of me hide my volleying between moments of relaxation and tension but for the most part it felt so good to stretch my wings and try something new. As I look at myself, I see myself standing straight and tall, well-balanced and relaxed. I wish she’d sent me the last picture she took of my paddle board experience. My landing and “de-boarding” was a bit more abrupt and I was tossed over-board as I collided with the dock. Nonetheless, I came up laughing both relieved that my trip was over and proud of myself for giving it a try.
So, today I’m walking a little taller knowing that I tried something new this weekend and reminded what a good friend I have who will lead me into fun adventures despite my moments of doubt.
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