If you had told me two years ago that I would one day be paddling by myself down a river in my backyard, I would have called you a liar. I probably would have used some expletives to spice up the name calling, too. You have to realize, when I was a kid and my parents told me to go play outdoors, I’d take a book and read in my tree house. Going outside was punishment.

But since we moved to the middle of nowhere, I’ve become more of an outdoor-enthusiast. Maybe it is because there is nothing to do except outdoorsy activities. Whatever it is, this past year I’ve started to enjoy playing outside.

For my birthday, George’s family gave me a kayak! This past weekend I tested it out. It was so relaxing and peaceful to paddle around and watch the birds fly, the fish jump and the snakes slither!

I took a few pictures on my most recent excursion up the river. It really is beautiful. And so, so green this time of year. After taking these pictures, I have a new found appreciation for nature photographers. Photographing moving creatures from a moving kayak is difficult. But I think I got a few decent shots. I hope to one day snap a picture of the bald eagle that hangs out by our dock.

Have you ever been kayaking? Did you enjoy it?

love the newly-outdoorsy-librarian,
melanie