GLEN: If we have our druthers, that is, if schedule and weather permit, Frances and I will see the Saturday sunrise in the water and aboard our kayaks.
Sometimes I wonder if we'll ever get tired of the dawn's first light, and if I'll ever see the rising sun without a tear falling from my eyes. I doubt it. Indeed, if we could be on the water every morning for every sunrise, we'd be there. They're all different, and all beautiful in their own special way. Some shine through clouds, and are often the most amazing to behold. Some ascend from the eastern horizon by themselves, and ignite the waters with fiery sparkles. And some do a little of both, as clouds give way to clear sky, and bless us with a varied display of light too sublimely splendid to describe.
All speak. "The heavens declare the glory of God." Without being mystical, I can hear a voice, the voice, in the sunrise. It speaks without words, and tells our spirits of glories that have always been, and will always be. It speaks of God as Creator and sustainer of all things. It speaks of His beauty and power. It speaks of His faithfulness, promising with perfect assurance that the sun will rise for us every morning, and that "day and night shall not cease."
Most of all, it speaks of the Lord Jesus, "the sun of righteousness risen with healing in His wings." This is the thought that brings the tears to my eyes, because this is the love and hope and grace and mercy and all of God so lovingly made available to us. Yes, if we had our druthers, we'd be there waiting for the sunrise on the water every morning, the sunrise that, as the One it so wonderfully images, will never disappoint.
FRANCES: As we put-in this Saturday, I had similar thoughts. I was putting the half of a paddle upon which I attach the video camera, into the scupper hole of my kayak and I had the thought, "Do I want to video the sunrise this morning? Am I getting tired of photos of sunrises?" I went ahead and put the camera on the paddle and put the second camera in the waterproof bag around my neck and paddled off.
A few minutes later, as we were paddling toward the sun, we were blessed with a new sunrise: beautiful, glorious and worthy of both the video and still camera, neither of which could capture the wondrous beauty we were watching with our eyes and hearts.
Our trip today was interesting for us. This was the latest in the season we have ever kayaked. At 58 degrees, it was also the coolest ambient temperature in which we have ever paddled. I took the opportunity to try out my neoprene shorts which I had hoped would be waterproof. They were not. They did, however, add a layer of warmth that was nice. The water temperature was still around 78, so it was not too much of a shock when we put our feet in the water. There was a steady breeze all day, turning into a good wind later on, which either hindered or helped us, depending upon which direction we were heading.
We started out about 6:30 am and low tide was at 8:34. That affected us a great deal as we entered Mobie Bay. For several parts of our 10-mile journey, we found ourselves in about 6 inches of water. I felt more like a gondolier than a kayaker. In fact, at one point, I told Glen I felt like I could move faster if I would just get out of the boat and pick up the bow and drag the kayak behind me.
With clear skies, we were able to complete our trek to the side of the bay that was interrupted last time. On the way back we were treated to a view of beautiful wildlife enjoying the sun.
Once we got back to Chacalooche Bay, we had the delightful discovery that the current was with us. In fact, we wouldn't have even needed to paddle if we had all day to just float back to the put-in. As it was, we were able to just add our steering to the current to get us back to the car.
It always surprises me that no matter how tired I am at the end of a trip, and even though I may really be ready to go home, I am never ready to get out of the water. There is just something in me that loves being on and in the water. I guess now I know why my Daddy loved being at sea so much.
FRANCES: As we put-in this Saturday, I had similar thoughts. I was putting the half of a paddle upon which I attach the video camera, into the scupper hole of my kayak and I had the thought, "Do I want to video the sunrise this morning? Am I getting tired of photos of sunrises?" I went ahead and put the camera on the paddle and put the second camera in the waterproof bag around my neck and paddled off.
A few minutes later, as we were paddling toward the sun, we were blessed with a new sunrise: beautiful, glorious and worthy of both the video and still camera, neither of which could capture the wondrous beauty we were watching with our eyes and hearts.
Our trip today was interesting for us. This was the latest in the season we have ever kayaked. At 58 degrees, it was also the coolest ambient temperature in which we have ever paddled. I took the opportunity to try out my neoprene shorts which I had hoped would be waterproof. They were not. They did, however, add a layer of warmth that was nice. The water temperature was still around 78, so it was not too much of a shock when we put our feet in the water. There was a steady breeze all day, turning into a good wind later on, which either hindered or helped us, depending upon which direction we were heading.
We started out about 6:30 am and low tide was at 8:34. That affected us a great deal as we entered Mobie Bay. For several parts of our 10-mile journey, we found ourselves in about 6 inches of water. I felt more like a gondolier than a kayaker. In fact, at one point, I told Glen I felt like I could move faster if I would just get out of the boat and pick up the bow and drag the kayak behind me.
With clear skies, we were able to complete our trek to the side of the bay that was interrupted last time. On the way back we were treated to a view of beautiful wildlife enjoying the sun.Once we got back to Chacalooche Bay, we had the delightful discovery that the current was with us. In fact, we wouldn't have even needed to paddle if we had all day to just float back to the put-in. As it was, we were able to just add our steering to the current to get us back to the car.
It always surprises me that no matter how tired I am at the end of a trip, and even though I may really be ready to go home, I am never ready to get out of the water. There is just something in me that loves being on and in the water. I guess now I know why my Daddy loved being at sea so much.
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