exploring new waters. | THE KLACKNERS

7.17.2014

exploring new waters.

Going outside and doing active and adventurous things is really important to me. So last weekend, the family and I headed to check out a new paddling spot. We all hopped in our boats and started paddling upstream. Everyone knows you should always head upstream first. That way, if your arms get tired, you can just float all the way back home. ;)



About half a mile upstream, we encountered a road block and had to turn around to head back the way we came. We hadn't been out on the water for very long, so we decided to go where the current took us for a while.  After a bit, we realized it was going to be quite the struggle to make our way back up through the strong currents, so we kept paddling, hoping the river would curve around take us to another place near where we had parked.


This little guy kept hitching a ride on my kayak.  Because he apparently needed to take multiple breaks from flying, and because I name everything, I called him Errol.







Hours later (Just kidding. Only an hour...) we had still not found a place to exit the water. This should serve as a reminder to always bring water with you since you never know where an adventure may lead.  Also, I hear sweating to death in the hot southern sun is the worst. So kids, don't forget. Hydration is key.




Don't worry. We did eventually find a place to get out, and it was only half a mile from the car! Go team! It was a fun day adventuring, slightly fearing we were lost forever, breathing in the fresh, humid air, and working on my Chaco tan.


HOW DO YOU ADVENTURE?
Megan McIlvaine said...

I haven't been to that one! But I have been to the olympic whitewater center on the Ocoee! We used to go there a lot growing up. :) It's just about an hour away from Chattanooga.

Chantel -A Harvest of Blessing said...

This looks like such a gorgeous location, I definitely want to go kayaking or canoeing this summer, do you have your own or do you rent?

Jenna Griffin said...

That looks like a lot of fun and I bet it's a great arm workout! Beautiful photos. It looks so peaceful!

Ash - The Nashvillian said...

This looks like so much fun. I absolutely hate canoeing (they just tip too dang easily), but kayaking I can handle. :)


-Ash
www.thenashvillianblog.com

Ursula said...

What an awesome adventure! I especially liked the dragonfly who needed his rest. I adventure outdoors as well. My favourite are hikes and taking the dog to discover new walking trails. As long as I'm outside in nature, it feels like a grand ol' time :)

Victoria said...

Wow! Is that how kayaking usually goes?!?!? That sounds like QUITE the adventure. :)

Christina Main said...

I am not even joking right now- when that (dragonfly??) landed on my kayak...I would have FREAKED THE HECK OUT. Sheesh.

Rachel Walker said...

Chaco tans are the best, I'm currently rocking one at the moment. I want to kayak so badly! I think we're going to have to do that soon!

Samantha@Elah Tree said...

Yay! I love your adventures! I miss kayaking! It's so fun and I love how you captured all your adventures. Which camera did you use when you went? I'm always too scared to take my big camera.

Megan McIlvaine said...

I always want to take my DSLR but I'm too nervous, so I always just use my iPhone :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

I purposefully wear my chaco when I'm sitting outside so that I can work on my Chaco tan. Haha. I'm so weird. ;)

Megan McIlvaine said...

hahaha!! There was a little baby dragonfly that kept landing on my kayak too, but he never stayed put long enough for me to take a picture!

Megan McIlvaine said...

Haha not every time! But sometimes :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

He was such a cute dragonfly! Yes, me too, girl!

Megan McIlvaine said...

I am totally with you on that one...not a huge canoe fan. Give me a kayak and I'm a happy girl.

Shannon Kennedy said...

This looks like so much fun. I need to try to convince my husband to do this with me.

Susannah said...

Sounds like quite the fun adventure! :-)

Elizabeth Mayberry said...

these pictures are so great! We don't do anything like this here! Mostly because there is only water in the rivers when it is flash flooding and that is when you want to be away!! We do a lot of hiking on rocks ... lots of rocks.

Katie Marchetti said...

Stumbled onto your blog from Oak & Oats - love what you're doing with Rivers & Roads!

esther julee said...

kayaking looks so much fun!! i wish vegas had good kayaking spots. thanks for linking up! don't forget to link back so others can hear about it. it's a fairly new link up so i'm still trying to get the word out. :)

Amy said...

i am so jealous of your kayaking adventures! (also carrying a dang kayak for 1/2 a mile is intense! those things can be beasts so look at you being all strong!) such beautiful, beautiful pictures - and what a lovely time!

Megan McIlvaine said...

You should! It is a blast.

Megan McIlvaine said...

It was! :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

Oh I bet Key West is a beautiful place to kayak!

Megan McIlvaine said...

rocks and rocky mountains.

Megan McIlvaine said...

thank you!

Megan McIlvaine said...

"i work out!" ;) (i sang that in my head)
kayaking is my favorite! it's super relaxing for me.

meg - me with the three said...

We miss the river!!! There was one really close by our old house, and now we have plenty around, they're just about an hour away. Have you been to the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC yet?

Meg McIlvaine said...

You should! It's so fun. We own our kayaks :)

Hsiao-Ting said...

That looks fun! I miss kayaking. I remember the last time I went was in key west on still water. My arm was so soared from kayaking since it was still water so my brother-in-law tied my kayak to his so he can pull me along ... haha ... agreed with you on always bringing water. Staying hydrated is important!

Meg McIlvaine said...

My arms and back were SO sore the next day! I forget I don't use all those muscles all the time!