To boat, or not to boat

Living so close to lakes most of my years, you may have thought that I would have spent a great deal of time on the water. Water is ok but I prefer it merely to quench my thirst.

I have had a few boating experiences - on a variety of vessels - and I don't necessarily need many more experiences on the water in my lifetime.

I have had the opportunity to be out in the middle of Storm Lake a few times and it is a nice lake.

I recall the summer I was 13. I was staying at the lake with my best friend where her family had a permanent camp site. Bored, as 13 year olds often become, we took a row boat on Round Lake, the same lake I swam in many, many times as a youngster. As adventous kids looking for something to do, we didn't consider that there was a strong wind.

We rowed and rowed and laughed and laughed until we realized we were never going to make it back to our starting spot. We got help from her older sister and friend who let us have it for being so stupid as to take a boat out on such a windy day.

Perhaps we were. But it made a memory; we still laugh about that day.

The next summer, I went on a canoeing trip with our church youth group down the Des Moines River. I knew nothing about canoeing, though none of us did, really. I was partnered up with one of the male members of the group, relieved, thinking, well, this is more of a guy thing so he will keep us going in the right direction.

I thought that, until, we tipped the canoe over and had the task then of figuring out how we were going to get the boat back on its bottom instead of its top. Again, there was much laughter and another memory was made.

I am only glad that our pastor had the foresight of planning the trip on a small river rather than taking us to the white water area!

My husband and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon, many moons ago. People told me prior to the trip to prepare for sea sickness; I didn't listen.

I didn't feel the floating hotel rocking on the calm waters but I did feel my stomach rocking a short time into the voyage. Not familiar with where the acessories were, including restrooms, I made a mad dash from the dinner table to any facility I could find, which happened to be one posted with a men symbol on the door. I wasn't concerned with what or who I was going to see in there; I did get a weird look from a man coming out the door but wasn't about to explain.

My wonderful new husband was able to find me some drugs for motion sickness which kicked in pretty fast so I was able to enjoy the rest of the cruise - and all the free food choices that can be found aboard the cruise ship.

Boating isn't bad, once in a while, and there are many, many people who make boating their hobby. But me? From here on out, I think I would rather enjoy the view from shore and keep my legs planted on the land.