First Time For This Water Sport

It was about the same time that I got my newer bicycle, the 26" one, that fit me much better, that I also found myself trying out a new sport, a water one this time.

That morning (which happened to be Father's Day 👴) I ended up joining a lovely group (of just five) pretty awesome people on a nearly three hour hike where we discussed many fun things including linguistics (one hiker's specialty) & movies titled with one word such as this movie & this movie.

After another four hours passed on by, (including a half hour of googling images of what exactly I was in for once on the water), I registered for my rental.

I'd packed light when I got out of my vehicle to go to the rental window. Originally I carried a plastic sandwich baggie of cash & my phone. Then I realized I had this strung around the passenger seat's metal "riser" & walked back passed the short distance I'd walked away (about three vehicles) to grab it. It would work well as a "pocket" I didn't otherwise have, sitting underneath the bottom hem of my top. Luckily for me, I also keep these braided into this. And I instantly realized these would come in handy (Oh! It's a pun!!! 😂) while out on the water, so I grabbed them too.


So, I sometimes joke about the first time I went to rent a vehicle & had just cash with me figuring, "Why not?". I also joke that I'm such a "rule follower" I'd think nothing else than to bring back something I've rented as I'm expected to do.

Here I was again at a rental window with "just cash" & my phone & this & these. 😂 I was asked about having my driver's license on me or a credit/debit card; I had none of these three items with me. Bummer. As I explained that I'd have to run back over to my vehicle to grab my license, the window attendant volunteered it'd be fine to clip my paperwork behind a friend's information. This worked for the both of us, well, three if the rental company is included. 😄

So, out on the water our large-size group went. For me, there were frustrations. Yes, there were. I smartly wore my prescription sunglasses. I opted to skip wearing a hat, figuring there'd be a likely chance of it not staying on my head, & therefore ultimately ending up in the water. I'd covered my limbs & face in this, because, well, the weather that day was a scorcher. On that day, merely by standing still, most everyone had sweat beads rolling down their limbs. It was humid & into the 90s. And the sun was blaring from high in the sky.

This event had been promoted as a "beginner's" event. And many first timers were out on the water right alongside me. This really didn't help much except to have too many people right there & therefore congestion. As a runner & hiker, when things like sweat, etc. get into my way, I can easily "wipe & go". This hadn't been the case in those moments. Also, at least as a runner or hiker I could just step to the side & let others pass me on by - sometimes I do this when I need to stretch for thirty seconds. While on the water, this isn't just not practical, it's not possible; the water moves, & so do you - you're on the water.

So there I was, out on the water, trying to prevent the sweat from burning my eyes, & I was failing miserably. My very-important sunglasses were in the way of wiping the constant sweat away & I was finding it difficult to figure out how to actually be on the water. Alas, yes, I managed. Our group's leader was no where nearby. Despite promoting the event for "beginner's" I didn't actually see the leader until well into our time on the water, & wasn't actually sure where the majority of the group had gone, which did frustrate me since it was a busy, hot day where it was difficult to navigate the scene not even knowing who on the water belonged with our group, which I didn't.

I did, however, successfully have my "first time" with this water sport. And because this conveniently came in the mail the night before, I was able to wear it (it fit me [my figure] great!) which greatly relieved me as my other options would've left me feeling, well, somewhat insecure (which, incidentally means I'd essentially feel plain old - insecure). I wore it with regular cotton shorts. I originally came to find it because I was perusing the lighter blue colored options (as they are my favorite), then I decided to go with the navy color since the lighter blue was so much so I felt it would dirty too easily & too quickly. And by "dirty" I mean markings, not sweat.


To top off the afternoon what was left of our group grabbed a bite at the adjoining eatery. We ordered our drinks. I ordered as I typically do, "water, no ice". After all, water is typically cold when a restaurant adds ice to it. The waiter needed to come back as he was working with a nearby table as well. He admitted it'd be best to get a refresher on our drink orders & we happily obliged. Everyone made sure that he got my "no ice" request; he'd actually remembered that part. 😏 All in good fun, yet an interesting request, I was asked why I ordered "no ice". Our waiter gave the extra minute of his time for my story. So I quickly explained that I'd rather have just water in my glass, no ice in the way, since the water is already cold when added to the glass. As I stated this I realized we were sitting at a table on a patio on a 90 degree day. So I said, "You know what, go ahead, put ice in my glass today! It seems appropriate!" And so he did. 😄

When deciding what to select from the menu I noticed these as an option. They weren't something I typically saw on a menu, just knew of characters in movies or television shows to talk about selecting. So I did; I ordered them. I sort of wish they'd been salmon, though I also realized that would've altered the cost more than I'd have wanted (& may not have selected the option entirely). I found them to be messy. Enough so that I needed ample napkins on what seemed to be a constant basis. And I doubt that I'd order them again, at least not from the same place.

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