A Scene from a Kayaking Trip

The setting:

A beautiful river on a clear, perfect day. Surrounded by tall green trees and plenty of shrubbery. Water is high due to recent rainfall.

The cast of characters:

Agent K: a twenty-something who has lived in the suburbs or the city her whole life. Although resourceful (ie girl scout), and handy (ie theatre techie) she is not what you would call outdoorsy. She has kayaked before (and enjoyed it), but this is her first time in a single one where she has to steer.

Agent S: her fiance, a twenty-something who grew up in a small rural town. Happiest when immersed in nature having adventures or when making fun of Agent K (double points when he gets to do both). Plenty of canoe experience.

Agent J: S's father, age undisclosed. Even more outdoorsy than S, happiest rising with the sun and keeping the mind and body active all day. Boat loads of canoe experience, and always happy to teach others.

Lights Up

Agents J and S send K off in her single kayak. She tries to paddle but turns herself around and goes backward under the bridge. J and S jump in their canoe and help her turn around.

Agent J: (watching K about to run into a bank) Back Paddle! Back Paddle to the Left! To the LEFT!

Agent K: Ahhh! (runs into the bush on the bank. Pushes off with paddle and gets back on course.)

Agent J: (noticing the next bush K is about to run into) OK, now stick your paddle in the water. Nope, just stick it in the water. (as K runs into bush) Back Paddle! Back Paddle!

Agent K: (pushes away branches) Ahh! Not fun! I want to go back to the city!

Agent J: Well you have to learn to turn - that's all this river is.

Agent K: (sighs and perseveres)

Agent S: I love you (K throws him an exasperated "you'd better" look)

And Scene.

Defining Myself

The definition of bicoastal (according to wiktionary) is "of, pertaining to, or concentrated on two coasts, often specifically the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America." Normally I've heard it used in reference to companies that have locations on both coasts, or people who live and/or work on both coasts. Neither of which applies to me, at least not at this point. However for most of my life I have lived on either the east or west coast, and learned to love (and hate) things about both. The coasts are a part of me, and now that I'm returning to the Southwest after 7 years in the Northeast it will be interesting to see if I can finally decide which coast I like better.

Let the road trip begin!