Independence Day

It seemed fitting that Independence Day marked a liberating milestone for Paul and for us. He paddled his own kayak! Up to now he has ridden tandem with me or Ben has used a rope to tow him in a separate boat. Neither of these were very satisfactory from our viewpoint, though he didn't mind. As a matter of fact, he liked things just fine, and it took a bit of coaxing to get him to agree to go out in his own boat under his own steam. But on July 4th he did agree and willingly let us rent him his own boat at the Quiet Waters boat house near the South River in Annapolis. As soon as he was out on the water he began to sing to himself, a sure sign that all was going well. We had a rip roaring good time checking out the coves for oysters, empty horse shoe crab shells, herons, baby ducks, and snail shells (still housing snails) on the reeds. It was only at the end of the trip, when we turned back towards the boathouse and hit the wind from the river, that he decided he was too tired to paddle and Ben rigged up the tow line.



I was glad to see Paul so happy and confident, but I also was happy to be back in a single kayak and be "the boss of my own boat."



Ben was so happy to be mostly out of the towing business that he surprised Paul with a special present, his own fishing tackle box. Paul got it all organized for our fishing trip today and then amused himself reorganizing it when the fish didn't bite.



To celebrate our new freedom, Ben & I enjoyed a new drink called Low County Lemonade. Isn't it pretty? It's a minty lemonade with mango rum and topped with hibiscus tea. So good!