The right tool for the job

Spent Sunday kayaking from just north of Marietta, Lancaster County, to the boat launch south of Long Level, York County, which would have been about 11 miles. When we reached Wrightsville and the two bridges, we'd be halfway to the cars and our trip home.

I say 'would have been', because of the six of us, four bailed out and walked the last 2.8 miles to the car instead of fighting wind, lame currents and the hot August sun. Now, hoofing the last leg was no fun, but it was certainly easier than battling the river. We dropped the kayaks along a private road, and the bordering home owners were gracious enough to understand our plight and allowed us to pick them up later-- although we got some squinty-eyed looks from their neighbors.

The four flat bottom kayaks are meant for quiet lake paddling, not long distances. Sunday proved that, like anything else, the right tools make the job easier.

Still, the four of us felt a bit wimpy for bailing out while two of our cohorts finished the grueling journey. We wanted to think that if we had the more streamlined, river-worthy kayaks, we would have succeeded.

I'm not so sure.