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Friday, August 21, 2009

The revelation

Yesterday I promised you the gory details so... We're headed sea kayaking!


On previous trips we've stayed in tent cabins and, occasionally tents. We camped but I wouldn't say we were roughing it. This trip should be a bit more interesting.

Here's a portion of the email I was sent:

Bear Island Pack List (BIPL)
(edited by KathyB! for length and to get rid of the boring stuff )

BIPL says: Fleece blanket to sleep on (NO SLEEPING BAGS and NO PILLOW allowed)

KathyB! says: Good thing my body is nice and squishy. I guess that's the benefit of carrying a couple extra pounds of chub on your body -- built in cushioning. Otherwise that would sound u-n-c-o-m-f-o-r-t-a-b-l-e.

BIPL says: One set of dry clothes to wear when not kayaking. This MUST be a LONG sleeved shirt and LONG pants to protect from bugs.

KathyB! says: Helloooo! It's, like, 90 degrees with 90% humidity. That's the equivalent of a tropical freakin' rainforest. I'm gonna die of heat stroke dressed like that. How bad can the bugs be anyway?

BIPL says: Tooth brush/paste, hair tie, small comb, bandanna. NO OTHER TOILETRIES.

KathyB! says: Um, soap? No soap?! That's just gross. Wait... I have a plan. I'll use the stench of my unbathed body to ward off the bugs. This way I won't need to pack the long pants and shirt. I can use the space that I'll save to smuggle over a bottle of wine. And yes, I know I'm brilliant. I tell myself that all the time.

BIPL says: Rain poncho. With the hurricane moving up the East Coast we expect rain and damp conditions in it's wake.

KathyB! says: About that hurricane... Is sea kayaking in the wake of a hurricane really the best idea? You're sure? Well, if you say so... I personally feel more secure knowing that I'll have a flimsy sheet of plastic my trusty rain poncho to protect me from the gusty rain and 14 foot waves that are predicted.

BIPL says: Girls will be getting into the tents for bed on the island as soon as the sun goes down to protect from bugs and ensure they are rested enough to make the trip.

KathyB! says: Holy crow! Are these bugs or vampires that we're dealing with? And if the girls need to be "specially rested" (they're kids! I was like the Energizer Bunny at that age!)... What does that mean for the nearly-forty-year-old-mommy who came along for the ride? Is there a powerboat trailing us that will pick up stragglers?

BIPL says: All fresh water will be carried onto the island on your kayak. DO NOT PACK ANY EXTRA GEAR as it will weigh down the kayaks and make paddling more difficult.

KathyB! says: So my plot to smuggle in a bottle of wine should be aborted? Sigh. I guess if there's no water I can understand why we don't need soap. You're going to smell me before you see me when I return from this little soiree.

BIPL says: Again, please speak with your daughter about the primitive style of this trip.

KathyB! says: Speak to my daughter?! I still have to remind her to brush her teeth every night. I think she's going to be fine. I think maybe somebody needs to speak to me about the primitive nature of this trip.

So wish me luck! I'm all packed up and ready to roll. It should be fun, right?

What could go wrong?

62 comments:

Cynthia said...

Dang...good luck! There is no way I'd make it:O

Kimberly said...

Fun. Yes. Bugs, ugh. Rain, ugh. Have fun though!!

beth said...

holy cow! you are a super-incredible mom for doing this. i'm pretty sure i would try to convince her to ditch the trip and promise to take her to the mall instead. good luck and have fun!

TKW said...

I don't care what they say...smuggle in the wine!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, this does not sound fun. Good luck!

LadyFi said...

Oh my goodness... can't wait to hear about everything that goes wrong.. or right... and yes, those bugs must be flying dragons!

mommakin said...

Sounds like you might have a potential bug problem on your hands... weird that they wouldn't mention that... and you will not be nearly as stinky as those growing girls...

No, but it'll be fun! For sure!

Well, at least you're likely to get another post or two out of it. So there's that.

confused homemaker said...

Definitely sounds like a bug problem. But you can handle it, it's going to be fun to get out there!

Good luck:)

Grant said...

What could go wrong? You could be struck by lightening, fall into the ocean, and be eaten by a rabid squid with AIDS.

Poncho? It's funny how people will deliberately engage in an activity that gets them wet and then freak out at the prospect of a few rain drops touching their skin.

Lindy said...

I just crawled into a hole and died.

But the hole was inside - since I don't "do" outside.

Anonymous said...

I may have freaked when reading this email, and would still be smuggling in the wine. How is this supposed to work with Hurricane Bill causing such crazy wave action? I thought Safety First was one of the Girl's Scouts motos!

Riddle Girl said...

You posted nothing of bathrooms and if you are allowed to carry TP. Is TP too heavy? Are there no bathrooms?
That would be the final straw for me!
You are a much better mom than I!

~Thought's By Dena~/ JDs Gift Shack said...

this is one I will for sure be waiting to hear about when its all done and over with...and you will provide pics...RIGHT??????

ck said...

Me to my daughter: "Girl Scouts? I'm sorry, sweetie. They don't have them in Virginia..."

Kristina P. said...

Wow, you will definitely need that luck!

The Good Cook said...

Um, this doesn't sound like a trip, it sounds like a punishment.. Question? Who picks the trip? Satan?

I would forgo the water and bring two bottles, one wine, one vodka.

Or better yet, I think I'd make my daughter quit scouts. No good ever came out of being a Girl Scout anyway... LOL.

Jane said...

You are a braver woman than I am! Good luck and can't WAIT to read your trip report!

peewee said...

Oh My God! That made me uncomfortably squirmy just reading. NEVER. No matter how much I love my kids. Never. Bugs! Heat! Sleep on Blanket?????? You are crazy.

But the worst part? HOW U GONNA GET COFFEE?!?!?!?!?

Anonymous said...

You are one brave Momma!! No wine, no soap, no coffee???? Lord have mercy. Primitive indeed!

ymK said...

Are you kidding me? Are you actually going to do this?
I want to see a picture of you right after you return, before you take a shower.
Have a safe and fun trip.

theUngourmet said...

Um. Yeah. Best of luck with that. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures when you return! ;0)

Can you put wine in a flask???

Danielle said...

Ohhh, can't wait to hear about this one!!!! :)

Niki said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Niki said...

There's no way I'd do something like this. Yikes! Best of luck to you!

passions and soapboxes said...

Take along a travel pack of wipes coated in bug repellent. You can clean and smite the bugs in one wipe. Have a good time, you are a brave soul.

Meg said...

Oh no. No. No. No. NO.

Now I see why my mom discouraged me from joining Girl Scouts. No soap? No soap! Surely that's a typo. Especially with 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity? I sweat sitting still. And I don't smell good when I get sweaty. OMG...that means...no deodorant too! Are you sure about this?

JoeinVegas said...

We went for a week of ski kayaking down in Baja a while ago. Sleeping in tents, but the cooks were good, the water warm, but sand was in everything.
Hope you enjoyed it.

Stephanie Faris said...

Have fun!!! That list just reminded me why I hate camping!!!

Suzy said...

I hope there's a Hyatt and a Hospital near by. My sister and I went kayaking in Hawaii and after 5minutes rammed it into the shore. Not on purpose.

Anonymous said...

Flask. Bring a flask. It's much smaller than a bottle of wine.

Jinksy said...

What could go wrong? Ater reading this post, I'd say anything!

Pam said...

You are a MUCH better mom than I am. My idea of "roughing it" is Motel 6. And personally I think whoever is in charge of this shindig needs to rethink it with respect to hurricane Bill. I live on the coast, significantly further north than you do, and we are being warned to stay "out of the ocean". I'm just saying....

~Laura said...

God bless you Kathy B! You are in for one heck of an adventure. I personally could not make it without some additional toiletries and lots of wine!

Gibby said...

Oh man, suddenly, I'm not so jealous of you living right by the ocean...

CANNOT WAIT for you to post about how it goes! Good luck, KB! I'll drink a glass of wine for you!

Jen said...

OMG! This is going to be a histerical trip. I can only imagine the stories that you are going to have to tell.

I was laughing my ass off at your responses. If I was you, I would just start drinking now.

Good Luck!

AiringMyLaundry said...

Good luck!

I couldn't do it. No way. I need my pillow.

Susie said...

Holy moly!! That is primitive!!

ScoMan said...

Best of luck on the trip =D Sounds like you'll need it. I don't know if I could survive without soap, that was the bad one for me. I always wear long sleeve shirts and long pants no matter the temperature, I'm happy to go without a pillow, but soap? No, I need soap.

The Blonde Duck said...

I am way too high maintenance to do that. I demand a pillow and shorts in hot weather.

Liz Mays said...

You can do this! If anybody can, you can!

Hit 40 said...

No Soap! The bugs are going to just smell you. They will crawl through the small tent holes to nip at the stench.

You rock going on this trip with the girls!!

Sandy said...

Not my idea of a vacation. Good luck! Don't forget to write!

Pseudo said...

Can't wait for some photos.

i am the diva said...

Good Luck!!! keep us posted!

forever folding laundry said...

Ummm..."primitive nature of the trip"??? That scares me!!!

I'll bet it will be a blast. Enjoy!! :)

~Keri

CynthiaK said...

My word! Let me just say that...you're insane! I hope everything goes as you hope and those vampire bugs stay back. My prayers are with you as you hit those waves, girlfren'!

Anonymous said...

You are a brave woman, better than I. That's all I've got to say.

-FringeGirl

Stephanie said...

Oh my! Brave brave girls. Sounds too rough for me!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh. It sounds like it will be exhilirating : )

Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com said...

Love the list analysis!!! May the forces be with you :)

PS. mentioned you on my blog!

FranticMommy said...

omg! no TAMPONS??? WTF? What if "Aunt Flo" visits? You know, the "Raging Red River" (and I don't mean the on you're kayaking on either). If it was me going that would SO be my luck. And what about Pamprin? Is there a pack mule with a jet pack available to bring IN these survival tools if need be? if not, and someone is cycling (and I don't mean bikes) it's gonna be a llooonnng damn trip!
P.s Have fun :)

Debrae64 said...

Oh, I'm thinking deodorant is a "must have," on the list, as well. If your tour guide does this as a full-time job, I'm thinking he or she must be "full-time," stinky! ;-D See if you can educate them while you're there, will you? LOL! Have fun!

Helene said...

No chapstick? Are they serious??? No way could I survive without my chapstick. My kids would have to suffer the consequences of me saying no to a trip like that all b/c of the chapstick issue.

You are one brave lady Kathy B!! I cannot wait to hear how it went!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

I confess, this is one adventure I cannot wait to hear the outcome of!

Mary K Brennan said...

You're flipping nuts! Sounds like prison to me. All inmates have that one good friend on the outside who smuggles in the goods (or in this case...a bottle of wine).
Should have read this earlier. I would have been there for you.
Best of luck.

Michele said...

Is it over? Did you survive? Hurry and let us know!!!

Cheffie-Mom said...

Good Luck! Good Luck! Good Luck!

Southern Belle Mama said...

Best of luck!! I thought I'd only encounter activities such as this with the boy (and daddy would be going on those trips)...now I have this to look forward to with the girl!!

Unknown said...

All of that and no wine? What?! Have fun and take lots of pictures.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Queenie Jeannie said...

OHMYGOSH!! Have fun!

I would never do this. Roughing it for me is a hotel without room service!!!! I know, I'm a big baby!

Zip n Tizzy said...

I wish you luck!

Please keep us posted!!!

Patricia said...

wow... kudos to you for still wanting to go. I don't mind roughing it but the bugs.. they'd get me down. *L*