Happy Kids

 

Yesterday I drove down to Marina del Rey to enjoy kayaking through the marina.  I parked the car, paid my $10.00 at the self pay station, and placed the receipt on my dashboard.  I carried my Oru kayak, th paddle, and beach bag out to the water's edge.  It's a short walk, and since my fold up kayak only weighs 24 lbs., it's pretty easy.

A woman and her husband watched me set it up on the sand.  She asked me if I minded her asking some questions.  I was happy to oblige; I love telling people about this kayak.  She explained  that she had purchased an inflatable kayak on Amazon, but that it popped while she was inflating it.  She returned it and bought a plastic kayak from Sam's Club.  She said that it's heavy, and she doesn't like how it cuts through the water.  They weight about 90 lbs.  Her  friend told her that it's worth it to spend more money.  I agreed.  I told her that I just love mine, and especially appreciate how lightweight and portable it is.  I can  throw it in the backseat of my car and it stores well in my cottage.  

I paddled around, admiring all of the beautiful boats, and studying their names.  They seem to be from all over: Corona, Catalina, Santa Monica, Newport Beach, San Diego, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and more.  I could look at them all day.  They are all so unique and artistic.  The photo above in Long Beach.

I chatted with a man in a green inflatable kayak.  "Aren't you afraid it will pop?" I questioned.  I realized after saying it that it was probably kind of rude. "No," he replied.  He feels it will last a few years, and that then the salt will weaken the material.  He told me that he lives in a one bedroom apartment, and loves how compact his is for storage and driving to the beach.  

I met another lady in a tandem kayak with her grandson.  They were from Beverly Hills.  She was relaxed and smiling, enjoying the sunshine, views, and family time.  We talked about how pleasant it would be to live there, on a houseboat. 

As I headed back to shore, a sweet little boy eagerly called out to me from the kayak he was sharing with his mother.  "I thought I wasn't going to like it," he admitted.  "But, he continued, "I saw a DOG, and it was eating a FISH!  I love it!"  He was so enthusiastic and friendly.  I laughed and encouraged him.

After laying on the warm sand  in the sun for a while, and  munching on an orange and a piece of cherry pie, I packed things up, reluctantly.  It was so relaxing there, but I knew I needed to get back on the 405 and beat the traffic home.  

After cleaning and folding up the kayak, I passed the mother and daughter from the family with the little boy.  "Wow!" she exclaimed, when she saw my folded up version of the boat. She sounded like she was from Norway.   "That is incredible!" her daughter cried out, in amazement.  I agreed with her, smiled, waved, and got back in my car to drive home.  The traffic was thick and heavy at the 5 North, but worth it.  I felt a deep sense of contentment and relaxation from the kind people and relaxing time on the water.

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