Take time to smell the roses

[Karen] As usual, the past few weeks have been very hectic. I am sure that we can all relate to this. After all, this blog is about that delicate balancing act that we all must perform to survive our daily lives with our sanity in tact. Work, work and more work but what is life all about if we don't force ourselves to stop and smell the roses.

Okay, so I don't mean to stop and literally smell the roses, but you should if that is what you want to do. I for one have found my new rose. Normally, I look out my window and the Hudson River is there, about a quarter of a mile away, this is everyday life, but this is different. On Saturday, September 13th my nephew and one of my fellow blog posters, attended the Yonkers Riverfest. I for one, watched in awe from a distance as men, women and children paddled kayaks of all shapes and sizes around a small area of the Hudson River that the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club (YPRC) members had cordoned off for their guests safety. I had been Kayaking once before many years ago when my friend Dean had the idea but that had been many years ago.

The next day was Sunday, the Hudson River Museum held a special event in conjunction with the YPRC at the JFK Marina. Fortunately for me, my nephew Monte pleaded to attend and now we have a new routine. At this event, the YPRC was inviting museum members to a "walk in" kayak event, all you had to do was show up. Once you had a quick lesson and an available kayak, you were on your way.

I have kayaked four times since the day I stood on the sidelines and watched but last night was by far, the best overall. Last night, my mother, Monte and I had joined Jerry, our new friend and teacher at the YPRC boat house. He had invited us to come down when he saw us the night before. We first met Jerry at the museum event. That day, he took Monte under his wing and we have been lucky enough to go along for the ride ever since.

Jerry has been teaching us about the tides, currants and everything interesting about the river and kayaking that we would want to know. We were introduced to some YPRC members that were on their way out to enjoy the river and then then we went out ourselves. Jerry said that this was the big leagues and I could tell. The water was rougher but we could handle it and handle it we did but this was not the story, the story is about the beauty of it all.

After the four of us had traveled in the immediate vicinity of the club for a while, my mother returned to shore. We followed her back to make sure she disembarked safely and then the three of us started out again. We traveled North as we hugged the shore, being careful not to hit the posts that sometimes jutted out of the water or rocks that may have been underneath in the shallower areas.

Jerry and Monte were ahead of me as I slowly paddled, taking in every wave that rocked my kayak and every bird that flew by. What's the hurry? There was none. I took my time and looked at the wall of rocks that lined the shore on the Yonkers side and the mountains of the New Jersey Palisades on the other. Could it get any better than this?

Again I ask, could it get any better? Yes, it could. By the time we had gone out about a mile, it was getting dark so we turned to head back to shore. This time, as we headed back we paddled closer to the center of the river to take advantage of the fast moving current. At one point, the three of us raised our paddles over our heads and just let the current carry us all along. Dusk had entered the picture and we just paddled as we watched the lights of the city come to life. Jerry brought our attention to the New York City skyline at around 7:00 and we watched the lights that had come on along the edges of the George Washington Bridge.

I could not believe how breathtaking the view was as we floated down the river. I did not want it to end but all good things come to an end. We landed, carried the kayaks to the boathouse where Jerry gave us a tour of the facility and we talked about the possibility of my nephew working for the club next year and my families future with the YPRC. I could see myself relaxing in the summer sun next year. I know that I have a great deal of work to do and if I have to make up the time by working until 1:00 or 2:00, so be it but personally I need that balance. It can not all be about work so now, I can't wait until next Monday when it will be our time on the river once again.

Would you like to join us? There is plenty of room