I did it, again. I drug my boat through the canals of death. I wore jeans, which offered some protection against sharp sticks and saw grass, but they also make it harder to slog through the deep, sucking mud.
The tide was pretty low and going out fast when I started into the canals. It wasn’t long before I could no longer paddle my kayak, and I had to get out and drag it behind me, as I was sinking up to my armpits. I had to work for every inch of progress, and I had a long way to go.
After three hours of grueling effort, I came out on the other side. I then had to empty my kayak and clean it from bow to stern, and clean myself from head to toe. That was the only respite I got, because after I got everything rinsed off and got my gear repacked, I had to paddle 2.5 miles (4 km) against the incoming tide and a 15 mph (25 km/hr) headwind.
I was already exhausted when I started my paddle. By the time I arrived home, I was famished and thoroughly exhausted. I took my dog for a walk, fed him, made myself something to eat, and fell asleep on the sofa.
I had a great time. I’d definitely do it again, but maybe without the biting flies harassing me, and after I’m in better physical condition. It sucks when you can’t put on insect repellant or sunscreen from your neck down without it getting washed off in the mud.
