The text came in after 10:00pm Thursday night: “Wanna go boatin’ Saturday?” Does a one legged duck swim in a circle?

For December in northern Idaho, the weather was just about perfect: upper 40’s and low 50’s, non-driving rain from time to time, and sunny blue skies as we approached the takeout. We were on the road pre-dawn (I haven’t seen 5:30am in a good long while) and home in time to read stories to the kids before their afternoon naps.

Fantastic day. 

When my buddy Tom asked in an email what I’d be doing over the weekend, I told him I had been nursing a nasty cold all week, and as such I’d probably be just hanging out on the couch trying to rest and get better. No sooner had I hit “send” on that email, friend and co-worker [redacted] asked, “Wanna go boatin’ tomorrow?”

I never claimed to be all that bright.

It was a great afternoon of kayaking down northern Idaho’s Clearwater River. I’ve decided that “ideal October Idaho boating conditions” simply means the wind is blowing the icy rain into the back of your helmet (as opposed to your eyes).

Quote of the day (in the context of passing all the surly Steelhead fisherman huddled miserably on their boats): “I would feel less silly if I weren’t dressed like a giant Power Ranger!” True, but we were warmer. And smiling.