I’ll Try Anything Once
Not really. There are lots of things I don’t plan to ever try, like bungee jumping. I’ve never been skiing and when on my bike, I ride the brakes downhill. But lazily paddling down the Bethany canals in a kayak, I’ve just discovered, is just my speed.
My brother-in-law, Nelson, has been fired up about kayaking for a few years now, as his T-shirt that reads “Kayak Not Prozac” attests to. I’ve been reading about Delane’s kayaking trips over at Life in Mayberry and enjoying his kayaking photographs. The house we’re staying at, here in Bethany Beach has half dozen kayaks under the pilings and is situated right on the canal. How could I not?
Because it was my first time, I didn’t feel confident enough to bring my new camera on the boat, but my husband, Joe, did. After some initial steering confusion, figuring out how my left and right paddle motions moved the boat, I was gliding along in ethereal stillness. The hub-bub of life was reduced down to the gentle splashing of the paddle and the tweet of an occasional bird. Something about it reminded me of ice skating. “How do you stop?” I shouted over to Joe.
The peacefulness was soon interrupted by the nervous squawking of a mother osprey as we passed her giant nest. After that we spotted a great blue heron and then some ducks. I was watching jellyfish through the murky canal water when Joe said, “Look! It’s a message in a bottle.”
It was a clear plastic quart bottle floating on the water with a folded-up piece of paper inside. Being curious by nature, I maneuvered the kayak over to the bottle and swiped it up. After taking off the cap, and just as I was unfolding the paper, Joe said, “It’s probably attached to a crab trap.” I felt a little deflated when I read the note and learned that he was right.
I tried something else this week that I’ve never done before. My husband’s family is from Maryland, where eating crabs is a way of life, and one of the evening’s dinners was crabs. I was shocked when I came upon the scene. A bushel of crabs was dumped all over the table and everyone was going at them, taking them apart with either their hands or with tools. Some were banging the crabs with little hammers, and most everyone was drinking beer. Joe had mentioned something about newspaper on the floor for this meal, come to think of it, but I either thought he was exaggerating or it didn’t sink in. I got teased for wearing white pants.
Ironically, kayaking was just my slow speed, but the crab eating was too slow and too stressful for me, like being made to eat chop suey with chopsticks, which I’m no good at either. “So much work for so little meat,” I said to someone.
“It’s a social activity,” I was told by one of the dozen people gathered around the porch table in front of the mess of crab parts.
I got through one crab with the guided help of a sister-in-law. “Just pull this little zipper-like thing and it opens right up,” she instructed.
“Here, want my chair,” I said when a newcomer walked through the screen door. I made my escape with another sister in-law into the kitchen where she fried us up some mushrooms and steak. Later, I said to my husband, “I think eating crabs that way is overrated and an elaborate excuse to drink beer, just to get some carbohydrate with the fish.
July 26th, 2006 8:18 am
Hi Deana,
Thought I would stop by for a visit.
The kayaking as portrayed in your photo looks like it would really be enjoyable. I have been canoeing a lot and really enjoy that but have never been in a kayak.
Oh…and sorry there wasn’t a great secret message in the bottle. Maybe next time. 🙂
July 26th, 2006 11:57 am
I would love to kayak! My cousin on Boone Lake has one and she goes out in it everyday and druises the small inlets and overhangs on the lake. Soooo peaceful.
I am not a big crab lover either and I also think it is too much work for the trouble. I’d rather eat lobster….the chunks of meat are bigger…..LOL
July 26th, 2006 12:14 pm
Oh I love crab! Many folks don’t think it is worth the work but I can get mine out fairly easily….it is one of my favorite things! And I love getting messy too so that might be part of the charm.
You look good in that kayak girl! When I saw it I thought you and Delane should spend some river time together…. Congrats on doing something new….I think trying new things makes life even better!
July 26th, 2006 2:13 pm
I want to kayak so bad! Someday. I would not eat the crab either…..
July 26th, 2006 3:19 pm
How ironic! I went crabbing for the first time last night, then again today. We caught a lot today, but threw them all back. I agree with you that it’s just too much work for so little pay-off. The kids loved catching them though. And I’m so glad that you liked kayaking. I love how quietly they glide through the water. It’s incredibly calming. I always feel like I hit a big RESET button each time I go paddling. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!
July 26th, 2006 4:59 pm
I don’t love crab enough to eat it often, because the work:payoff ratio is so skewed. But I’m always looking for new excuses to drink a beer!
July 26th, 2006 5:13 pm
Kayaks are great. They are much better for my marriage than the canoe we had. We left that in Miami. Now if I want to crash the boat, it is my boat and Glenn has to mind his own business about it. And when he crashes his boat, it is no longer my fault like I tried to explain back in the canoe. haha.
I also think crabs are overrated. But I like the crabcakes – no cracking required.
July 26th, 2006 6:20 pm
There was bungee jumping at my last business conference. Group bungee jumping, where they tied people four abreast with locked elbows and dropped them into a wide swing back and forth. I was afraid to do it, and I knew I’d hurt my neck or back (which I do without dropping in a tied up package of strangers). But most of all, my decision not to jump went to the basic question of dignity. All you saw from the ground were swinging, screaming asses.
Did I mention I was also afraid?
July 26th, 2006 7:28 pm
I am so EXCITED for you to have enjoyed kayaking. I heard how great and relaxing this sport can be. I, for one did not like my first experience…..I was on rough waters in Menemsha Pond in Martha’s Vineyard in a 2-man kayack.
But I would LOVE to have crabs that way, I have heard this from many people. I like working for food…like pistachio nuts and cracking and deshelling lobsters.
July 26th, 2006 7:46 pm
Hey Col,
Its good to know you had a chance to find out what I’m so excited about. I paddled past many an Osprey nest in my travels and have been fortunate enough to see a couple of seals. I love every minute of it and can’t seem to get enough these days (just ask Sherry).
I added a link to one of my favorite trip reports. Take a look at it and be sure to check out the video and photos from the trip.
http://www.wtpaddlers.org/trips-21.html
If you want to know what I’ve been up to lately, check out this video… I’m the second one after the fisrt scene with the sailboats (just in case you don’t recognize me). It might take a minute to load.
http://sdrimages.smugmug.com/gallery/1689950/1/82999287/Medium
We’ll definitely have to paddle down the Weir River the next time you come home.
Enjoy… Nelson
July 26th, 2006 8:04 pm
LOL, LOL…I think I agree with you on that Crab Eating thing…Too much work, indeed! But the Kayaking looks sublime! And what fun to see all those amazing beautiful creatures as one glides along, relaxing! Have a GREAT time Colleen….more kayaking!
July 26th, 2006 9:02 pm
Good to explore options. I think I would have passed up my chair too.Kayaking sounds more my style. Last (and first) time we went we didn’t get the knack and kept going huge circles thinking we would have to be towed back to the dock.
July 26th, 2006 9:18 pm
Since our island is noted for it’s blue crab, I adore eating it. But have to admit…my favorite is the King Crab…much less work and oh, so yummy!
Looks like you’re having a very relaxing vacation. Continue enjoying and having fun.
July 26th, 2006 9:26 pm
COLLEEN!!! Elisha needs the tent for FloydFest. How can we get hold of it? Please email or call as soon as you can.
July 26th, 2006 9:31 pm
You say “I think eating crabs that way is overrated and an elaborate excuse to drink beer, just to get some carbohydrate with the fish.” like it’s a bad thing 😉
That kayaking looks FUN! I need some peace 🙂
July 26th, 2006 10:21 pm
Oh what fun! Both the kayaking and crab eating.
The picture of all those crab shells reminded me of when we were kids and nana would come down for lobster and steamers. We’d all sit around eating them (we kids got the legs). She’d tear apart those lobsters like there was no tomorrow.
July 27th, 2006 6:53 pm
I can eat crab and lobster meat all day long, as long as someone else does the shelling. Otherwise? Forget it. I’m with you. Too much work.