Coconuts!

This photo definitely sums up our challenging kayak excursion.

Kayak man: Is everyone comfortable?

Dan: Yep!

Me: My seat isn't...

Kayak man pushes out to sea.

We turned over while trying to adjust my seat. 

Miraculously, I remained calm even though we were in the middle of the ocean where hungry sharks were probably starving and potentially swimming directly under us.

Also miraculously, I was able to jump back in on the first try.

We kept our phones (in waterproof cases around our necks), 

but lost the blueberries we'd brought for a snack. More plastic in the ocean.

We did see whales close-ish. 

Wished they were closer or that they'd breech or something cool.

The water was choppy which was unsettling from the get-go.

But then the blue sky turned dark and we were paddling with all our stamina to get back to shore safely.

Dan kept saying, "we're going to be fine."

But really, what does he know about storms and the ocean? 

The words from my book kept running through my head,

"She'd heard stories of surprise storms. Of close calls and desperate runs for safety. 

But she never understood how anyone could miss the signs... 

She'd believed only someone careless would get caught in a storm."

On our desperate paddle for safety, a whale crossed between us and shore.

In my mind the back curved over and under the water like pictures of a sea serpent.

He was really cruising too, like he was also worried about the storm.

Dan wanted to stop and take a picture, but his camera was having problems

(possibly from the dunk it had taken earlier).

After two seconds I made us start paddling again because it seemed a lot like a metaphor for Satan.

Trying to tempt us with a distraction and keep us in the thick of danger.

By the time we got in, the storm had blown basically blown over. 

It was kinda crazy. And I was suuuuper happy to be safe on shore.

***

The kids all arrived today!

Marty, Lizzie and Emi first.

They were hungry, and asked us to meet them at Coconut's for dinner.

Next came Michael and Courtney who flew over 12 hours from NYC for the weekend.

And finally Chris and Nick made it, who were hungry, and asked if we wanted to meet them at Coconuts for dinner. So yes, we went a second time.

Note for Next Year: Pick up Coconuts and have it waiting for when everyone arrives.