october days on the water...

True, I am still in New Hampshire. True, there are many things I despise about this state - the homogeneity of its populous, the prevalence of Mommy SUVs, overglorified shopping malls, overgrown mosquitos. However, New Hampshire can also be extremely, incredibly beautiful. For example, a crisp, October kayak excursion.

Today, I took out a group of 6 chiropractors for an afternoon tour around the New Castle area. For those of you who know the area, Portsmouth is a charmingly beautiful region, and the water we kayak in is pristinely gorgeous. New Castle itself is the smallest town in NH - only .8 square miles - and home to the richest population per square mile in the state. Thus, prime real estate. Not only that, but, more impressively in my eyes, the water's aura makes you forget the huge houses, and houses in general. The best paddling is around nearby uninhabited islands and grasses, in constant sight of great blue herons, cormorants, seagulls, snowy egrets, and the occasional seal. And this time of year, who can miss the fleeting monarch butterflies crossing over the water? There is nothing more wonderful than a paddle here on a sunny day.

The season has been winding down. It gets colder here in October, school's in full swing, people become busy, the weather grows more unpredictable. So any tours I get to lead are precious breaks from taking calls in the shop, jealously cursing the sunshine from the other side of the window. Today, I had the special pleasure of not only touring the chiropractors, but also a couple in the evening. This allowed me the unique and distinct experiences of a Fall afternoon and Fall evening paddle. How different and fabulous they are!

Fall Afternoon: crisp air, cool wind, bright, sunny, warm enough for light layers, tide receeding, sunglasses a must!! We were the only ones on the water! The leaves had begun turning.

the leaves change...

Fall Evening: much cooler after the sun faded, quiet, calm water, sun beginning to go down, HUGE full moon!! All was calm, relaxed, alive, but subdued. Very peaceful, beautiful, extreme color contrasts. Glorious sunset. The moon's glory couldn't even be captured by the camera.


what colors...
Just meditating in the beauty of the here + now instead of anxiously awaiting the adventure to come...