June 11: I figured I knew how to paddle a canoe, row a boat and had been white water rafting, so how hard could this ocean kayaking be, anyway?

The answer to the above question is: hard. Very hard. Sure I’d done all those other things before, but I’d done them on lakes and rivers, most of which (except for the white water rafting, of course) were smooth as glass. Naturally it was easy. The ocean, however, is rarely if ever glassy, and comes at you from all directions! Gah!

Thank God I’ve been working out! I could never have done this otherwise! For some reason, DeeDee and I just can’t get ourselves in sync – we always end up heading out to sea, and have to push ourselves back towards the shore. Some of the other people we’re with make it look so easy. I just don’t get it.

We finally make it to a quiet little cove where the kayaks are tethered together, and we start snorkeling! It takes me a while to get the hang of it – not being able to breathe out of my nose, and the clausterphobic sensation of the mask make me a little nuts momentarily, but soon I overcome my fears, and I’m exploring the undersea world!

And, Lord, thank you, Jesus, because this is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen!

I was very pleased with the waterproof case I purchased for my digital camera, and highly recommend it if you plan on doing any underwater photography!

After snorkeling for a while, we climbed on the lava rock cliff and had some water and snacks. And did some cliff jumping:

I don’t stay on the cliff too long – I really want to be in the water seeing everything I possibly can before we have to paddle back. It is awesome. Just so amazingly awesome!

The trip back is even harder than before – probably because we’re wiped out from paddleing out there to begin with! Personally, I think they should just hook us all up to the back of a boat and pull us back to shore! That way we can just enjoy the scenery and not have to work so hard!

Still, I’m very proud of myself (if I do say so myself!). I did it – it hurt, but I managed it, and am not even out of breath when we reach the dock! Not bad for just a few months of vigourous exercise! Just wait till next year!