I signed up for the Get Out Lehigh Valley event today. Usually they are free. This one was $5 or $6. It was a bike and boat. They provide bikes, helmets, and 2-people canoes.
As I was packing my lunch, my sister asked where I was walking that I needed lunch. I explained today's events. She said "Why the hell would you want to do that. You can't canoe." The bad karma had been left loose. There was no putting the genie back in the bottle.
I arrived at Sand Island to a road block for a 5K and had to park on Lehigh Street and walk in. I hiked in, then registered and then remembered I left the hat, sunscreen and sunglasses in the car. I asked how soon we'd be leaving and I hiked back to the car. By this time the 5K was over, so I was able to drive back and park in the lot on the west side of Fritch Fuel. That's where the boat dock is.
I was given a bike and a helmet and as I sat on it I wondered how long it had been since I was on a bike. Angel, the teen and I used to go on occasion but bike riding is no longer cool in the teens universe. She figured out it was exercise.
I was wobbly at first and riding like I had a bunch of mimosas for breakfast. Eventually I straightened out. I never really rode in a straight line. I can do this. It's only 4.5 miles. And I did. I was dead last but I finished. Actually not true. The "sweep" was behind me.
I had a death grip on the handle bars the whole time. My fingers actually hurt.
We arrived at the boat house in Canal Park and parked our bikes (top). My vagina hurt and my legs were jello. We gathered into a group and the boat group leader -- Spirit -- gave us the news that "because of the river condition after all this rain, we will not be paddling in the Lehigh River. Instead, this Saturday, we will paddle in canoes in the canal." and bike back. WTF? That's another 4.5 miles. And really, does anyone really want to go IN the canal?
We get out life vest, and safety talk. Then some basic strokes and instructions on how to get in the canoe. Since I was "single" I was pared with another novice single. I was really hoping for someone with experience. She wanted to wait till last. We decided I was the back of the canoe so I was to get in first. But as we all know my legs don't work right. Balance is a serious issue. I get one foot in the boat and I flipped it over and end up in the gross and stinky canal with my water bottle and my phone in a zipper bag. Spirit grabbed my stuff and I pulled myself out.
I was pissed. Not because I was wet because my sister's bad karma jinxed me. Instead of entering the water from the boat house, we loaded on the canal bank.
We paddled on the canal for about an hour. We hit the right bank once. And the left bank when we were turning around. We missed lots of hazards in the water. And we successfully pulled into the boat house. Last, of course.
Spirit returned my phone, but not my bottle of water. I wasn't going to drink it after it was in the canal. I went and got another. I didn't even bother going to the picnic area to eat. I just stayed at the boat house.
Then rode the 4.5 miles back to Sand Island. I was able to get off the back. My knees are still screaming. As are my hips. (Is that where your legs join your toros?)
I thought I always looked nice in this athletic dress. Pictures don't lie. I look like shit in it.
52-hike challenge: 40/52
Miles/Steps: 9 bike, 2 canoe
Weather: mid-80s, sunny
Wildlife: tiger swallowtail butterfly, blue heron, turtles. I found our that most of the turtles in the canal are an invasive species called a red eared slider turtles. Apparently people buy them as pets and when they don't want them, release them into the canal. They multiply like bunnies. There are also regular turtles and snappers.
Extra: I came home and took a shower. The 4:00 pj party was moved to 2:45! I still smelled like the creek and had to clean the tub.
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