Kayaking: Our New Obsession

Chip and I both really love being outside. And we enjoy doing things together. For the longest time, we've been looking for outside activities that we could do together.

I have the gardening bug, but Chip isn't into it, and I consider that a good thing. It means I don't have to share my gardening space with anyone. We tried biking for a while, but we couldn't really agree on that either. Chip likes the challenge of trail riding, and when he rides he wants to come home muddy and bloody. I'm more of a road riding gal. I like long, peaceful rides where I can take in the landscape.

Earlier this year, we started thinking about trying out some kayaks. We have both been canoeing many times (never together) but are newbies to kayaking. Chip's stepdad has a small kayak, but he didn't have anyone to paddle with. One of Chip's co-workers is really into it, too; so we planned to meet their group for a short paddle a few weeks ago just to see if we enjoyed it. We met up in Vickburg on a Sunday afternoon to paddle on the Yazoo River. The Yazoo River runs into the mighty Mississippi River about 2 miles south of our put-in spot.

We put in at the boat ramp near the Yazoo & Mississippi River Pumping Station in downtown Vicksburg. At this point, I was getting a bit worried about our choice of paddling spots. The Yazoo is deep and wide enough for barges to run in. Since I'd never been in a kayak before, this river was definitely intimidating. So I did what any wife would do - I made Chip put-in first!

Getting ready to paddle!

Chip paddles in the Yazoo

There were eight paddlers in our group. Chip, me, Chip's stepdad, Chip's co-worker, the co-worker's brother and son, and two other friends. We borrowed boats from Chip's co-worker, Brian. Once we got some instructions from the experienced paddlers, we got in and started paddling around in the Yazoo. It was actually the hottest day on record so far this year, but on the water we didn't even notice.

We paddled across the river to an "island" in Louisiana owned by Chip's co-worker. Then to a couple small lakes and to the larger Centennial Lake (link takes you to a Google map). From the smaller lakes, you could see downtown Vicksburg up on the bluff. We got some great photos from this vantage point!

Our paddling group with downtown Vicksburg behind us

Old Vicksburg courthouse up on the bluff

Heading back to the boat ramp

Kayaking is definitely an activity we can agree on! We paddled about 3-4 miles in 2 hours. We went at a leisurely pace. We chatted and shared stories. Some people went faster, some slower. It was fantastic! We were both amazed that the wild river - complete with big fish, alligators, snakes, and spiders - was right there for us to take advantage of. As long as the gators keep their distance, I'll be fine!

I gave in and purchased two boats this week! For me, a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120. For Chip, a Wilderness Systems Pungo 140. I can't wait to get them and take them to all the local waterways - the reservoir near Jackson, Sardis and Puskas near Oxford, and maybe even the Okatoma in south Mississippi. We are so pumped!