Today it was Izzy's turn to try out the new kayak. She headed out to the Little Miami River. It is a main canoe and kayak river just northeast of Cincinnati. The water was low and slow today which worked just fine for Ms Izzy. She did complain a little about the sun and the heat as the temps ended up around 90 but being on the river apparently she got more opportunities to get in and swim periodically. From what I hear she did a pretty good job of being a kayaking pup. She only exited the kayak once unplanned
just after coming through some faster water. Don't have a picture of that of course because the GHL was busy paddling and then trying to call Izzy back over to the kayak so she could lift her back in. 
When Izzy hit the water her head went under and she came up paddling herself. 
I think it gave her a healthy respect for the sides of the kayak and her limits for the rest of the trip. SInce this was a weekend the river was full of canoers and kayakers from several liveries that use this section of the river. Most of the organizations have several "camps/bases" and then also use public access points.Izzy was a little uncomfortable initially.
But she relaxed after awhile and started looking around.
There was a lot to see......other people and open river.
Even with all the noise and people there were a few brave turtles and even a pair of ducks scooting along the bank trying not to be noticed.
Between the heat and the sun....and the fact that the GHL wouldn't let her swim all the time, Izzy claims that she was BORED for sections of the trip.
"But wait.....maybe I ought to sit up here and keep a watch out anyway," says Izzy. "Stuart told me about this spot."
"Look Out, Look Out......Sea Monster on the right!"
"Well that was close. Maybe I should stay up here where the view is better."
"Turtle monster!"
"Are there monsters under the kayak, too?"
Well no monsters to be found so Izzy went back to being bored.....
Izzy took a potty break along one of the portage points.
There were several shallow riffles in the river today and the GHL said she learned just how sturdy the bottom of the Sea Eagle is. Apparently her butt found several rocks hiding right under the water line, but no problem, no harm, no tipping over!
So after a couple of hours and 6 miles of water, rocks and sun, Izzy made it down to the pick up point. There for a prepaid $10 fee the livery will pick you up and take you back to their starting point which is right next to the public access point.
Izzy got to ride in the big bus! She didn't need her life jacket for this ride.
The kayak got to ride in the back of the bus rather than getting strapped on the trailer rack with the canoes and hard shells.
And Izzy curled up to rest because all the sun and paddling plum wore her out!
Have never tried this before but the GHL said that she tried to take a short video of the Izzy out standing in her kayak....
(on edit...GHL just tried it. Apparently if you click on the picture it will take you to the video on Photobucket....)
I welcome their independent, confident outlook on life and their individual perspectives that they share with me. We meet and have wonderful adventures and then travel on down the road on our separate journeys with sweet memories of mutual discovered hiking trails full of scat left behind and trails of big game rabbits that cross in the night and the early morning swims. If you are hunting for a long time commitment I am not your dog. But I really look forward to meeting you and offering my friendship. About the not butt sniffing, I'll do my best but it might be hard. 
Izzy is going to make the history books with her crossing of the Little Miami River. Outstanding! What a fun first time Izzy had. From H's report, it appeared that she enjoyed her day and all went well. Woof woofs of appraisal coming from the ankle biters. Linda
