Boat registration attached.....check
Paddle.................Check
Life preservers.......Check
Sun block..............Check
Water shoes..........Check
Dry bag................Check
Camera................Check
Dry clothes/towel...Check
Sun glasses...........Check
Hat....................Oops!
First the gray haired lady inflated this new kayak in the living room to see if she could figure out all the instructions. I couldn't figure out why I had to put the flashy green thing on for a picture but here I am. I do humor her from time to time. At this point I really can't figure what she is up to
...that comes later. 
So then this morning we head off to nearby Cowen Lake. The lake is popular with sailboat and kayak'ers...no motors over 10 mph allowed. So I get to watch her inflate the whole thing again. I got to tell you, I am a bit puzzled and concerned at this point. That foot pump thing makes strange squeeky sounds and I heard some general muttering..... I think the look on my face expressed my concern well enough.
Now how much of this stuff is coming with us. We aren't camping out there you know? What do you mean that there will still be room for me?
I don't mind sitting here on dry land but.....what comes next? At least the water looks nice. Hey, is the fishing any good?
Now the next few minutes are not captured on tape. I will admit that I was not a big fan of getting in the kayak. Did you know that that thing moves
when it is on the water and she expected me to just sit there! Well she promised that no one caught my lack of gracefulness on tape to be seen later on U-tube.....and with great encouragement and several false/awkward attempts, I did what she asked. Boy this better be worth it.... 
So far I am not a fan!That seems nice.
Are you sure this thing is safe?
Okay, I like water.
Hey, what is that stuff? Lilly pads you say. Interesting.
This really isn't so bad.
I can see lots of stuff from here. Birds, other kayak'ers. No one has threatened my life. This thing is pretty stable.
Okay, okay, I admit it. I was wrong to protest. This really is okay!
And these lilly pads are neat. They have blooms and seed pods and mysterious passages....
Way back here in the back of the inlet.....we aren't in Kansas anymore.....
Yes, I think this is working for me......
So after successfully getting me back on dry land, with an opportunity for me to swim just a little while she was packing the kayak in, we threw the kayak in the back of the car and headed over to my grandpa's property. ....Something about rescuing a broken pond fountain from the middle of the pond so that folks could figure out why it isn't working. I heard there was a bit of slime and the usual pond funk involved but she didn't let me ride out with her when she pulled the weights up and paddled the fountain back to the dock. I was a bit worried that she would go off without me but then the pond isn't that big so I just kept my eye on her. I knew I could swim it if I had too.
After rescuing the fountain we found out another good use for the kayak..... well if I couldn't ride with her I'm glad that someone else got to go out and enjoy. Marin's mommy had brought her life jacket down to the pond so she got ride! That is me and Marin's daddy standing on the dock watching the fun. Marin didn't want to turn around and look at the camera. She just wanted to enjoy the ride.
That's all for today. We didn't even pack the kayak away. We just deflated it and loaded it back in the Kia Sportage. The weather this week here in SW Ohio is suppose to be spectacular. I think the kayak is heading off to the Little Miami River next. I don't know if I will get to ride or if Izzy will get to. She gets her stitches out Mon or Tues so she might enjoy the opportunity to get wet. Tina says that the kayak takes up a little more room than she wishes and weighs a little more than she wishes but....it carries me around (and other passengers) like she wishes. And it even allows her to get in and out without her feeling like she needs to be a gymnastic star. So I guess that means we will find room to haul it around in the RV.
I suggested leaving the other dogs behind to make room but she said that was not an option. Just for that she made me responsible for reminding her to bring a hat next time. Like it was my fault she forgot one!
Thanks for the photos and the story....Mom is still laughing..... 
She even bought me a new soft bed that she put next to her on her bed. I'm not really spoiled or anything. Hey...maybe someday we can go kayaking together! We will remind your mommy to take her hat. My mommy wears one kayaking, too....and she always takes snacks.
