Urban Kayaking Adventure

While in Texas we decided we’d take our kayaks on a little urban river in Houston. I have no idea why we thought that would be a good idea. Probably because we had brought kayaks all the way down there (for the gulf coast), had barely managed to get out in them at all due to poor weather on the coast, and figured we should get our use out of them.

The river was sort of pretty from a distance, but from close up it was a bit disgusting. Muddy, trash lined, with a couple of dubious piles of stuff along the bank that I don’t even want to mention. I felt a bit like I would contract some sort of disease if I touched the water.

We started out paddling upriver first (in order to gauge the current). The current was negligible, so went ahead and paddled downriver to see the buildings.

We were just about to turn around when John announced he wanted to go under a bridge that was just ahead. It was actually three bridges – a freeway crossed the river. I had absolutely no interest in paddling under a freeway, but John likes that sort of thing. I reluctantly agreed.

As soon as I got under the bridges I realized my mistake. Suddenly the current picked up and I was sent rapidly under the bridges. I wasn’t sure I could make it back upstream! But by the time I realized it, I figured it was too late.

As soon as I cleared the stretch of current I turned around to try to paddle get back upstream, back under the freeway. I gave it everything I had, and at first I didn’t think I was making progress at all. But slowly, slowly, as I paddled as fast and hard as I could, I made it out of the short stretch of current and back into the slow river.

No, sorry, I have no pictures of the bridges or the current under the bridges. I was busy paddling for all I was worth! Whew! Made it.

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