The Art of Floating

On Sunday, my beloved and I got a babysitter with the intention of taking out our 1974 AMF Puffer (yet to be named, unfortunately).  Also unfortunately, we realized too late that we have not yet purchased for it a new drain plug (which we learned last year is a crucial part of the sailing experience).  However, by that point we already had the babysitter lined up and everything, so we decided to try canoeing instead.

We drove out to the lake, rented a canoe, had a small incident involving a spider and were blissfully paddling around the lake within an hour.  We rented the canoe for two hours, but after a half hour of exploring the perimeter of the smallish lake, we realized we had overestimated our interest in canoeing. 

In discussing the problem - for on the surface, it doesn't seem there is such a huge difference between canoeing and sailing - we determined that there is not as much SKILL involved in canoeing.  Once you've got the paddling part down, there's not a lot you can do to harness the power of the paddle other than push it.  And the floating isn't as fun, either.

Upon further examination, I realized that I myself am not a good floater.  I never have been.  If I'm floating, I will then also be examining some part of the floating experience, trying to determine if it can be improved upon.  As the water lapped against the side of the canoe, I stared at my beloved's back and fervently wished we had bought that dang drain plug .  I love to sail, but God, I hate to float.