Cleanup frame grab from 2014-02-14 video clip
It was a warm, sunny day. The temperature was near 60F (15C) with a light breeze. Low tide was precariously close to sunset, but I was determined to take advantage of the nice weather and get some video.
When I got out on the water, I realized that the “light breeze” over the water was downright chilling. What I hadn’t considered was the effect of 2 inches of freezing precipitation that had fallen recently. The water was ice cold. I was under dressed for conditions, but I was determined to get some video with my new camera rig.
I had arrived at least an hour before low tide, since the sun would be near the horizon by the time the tide was all the way out. I found a muddy spot on the shore to stop and shoot some video of me, stomping around in ankle deep mud, while I waited for the tide to go out. Eventually, I got back in my kayak and went in search of some exposed mud. I was worried about the icy cold water, and I knew I couldn’t afford to get too cold, with the sun setting and my lack of warm clothes.
I found my mudding spot, set up my equipment, and stepped in. It took about 2 steps to realize that I wasn’t going to be able to walk around in that thick mud with boots. The boots got sucked in and it was nearly impossible to break the grip of the mud. I struggled hard until I got myself back onto solid ground. Then I moved my audio recorder and stepped back in. I already had mud up to my crotch, so I was determined to get more video before I stripped off my muddy clothes and made my way back. That second dip found me almost waist deep in thick mud and pretty effectively stuck.
I eventually dragged myself out of the mud and wandered into the water to rinse off, with the camera still recording. By that time, the sun was about to set, so I put the camera away and got serious about getting cleaned up and into dry clothes. My toes were nearly frozen and my fingers were pretty cold. I got my muddy boots off and stripped off my muddy jeans. I rinsed off as well as I could, toweled off the excess water, and put on dry clothes for the paddle home. Fortunately, I had dry socks and shoes with me. I had, at least, anticipated not wanting to stay in cold, wet boots any longer than necessary.
I paddled hard on the way back to build up my core body temperature. I was also racing the setting sun. I arrived back at my car shortly after sunset. My toes were still cold, but the rest of me was pretty warm. It was nice to get into a warm car, once I had my gear loaded. The best part was the hot shower I took when I got home, and the hot bowl of soup I ate after I got out of the shower. As I like to say, “Its all part of the adventure”.
Oh, I nearly forgot to mention; the video is finished and available for download. It’s definitely not my usual video style. The body rig does not product a steady video, but it’s an interesting point of view. I found it conveyed the struggle in a way that you wouldn’t get from a tripod shot. Here is the link: Swamping in Jeans & Boots