Squishy skiff seats

It starts in the fingers, then you begin to notice that it is in your toes as well, it aches and feels numb.  Soon, the little splashes that were seemingly exhilarating on the way out don't seem so wonderful anymore.  Then you begin to think, I hope this thing doesn't tip or we'll likely be overcome by hypothermia in minutes before making it to shore...

We went out on the water today.  The vessel that we took was a skiff.  Not a boat.  We've quickly learned that one does not to say the word boat improperly around here.  The difference is that a boat has sleeping quarters.  A skiff is anything that does not house an area where one can go into enclosed quarters and sleep. It is that simple.

We thought that today was the day to hit the water, the morning was bright, the sky was clear, and the sun was shining.  For a reasonable fee, you can hire someone to take you out fishing or sightseeing.  So we did just that.  The owner of the boat took us and showed us around near the southern side of the island.  We did not manage to get far as the wind picked up and we had to make the return.

In the time that we were out we were able to see eagles, other ocean birds, a seal, crazy jumping fishes that leaped out of the water at least a good foot, and another beach. 

What a chilly ride back to the harbor.  The wind was whipping and causing huge waves/bumps.  Every time we hit one, water blasted up over the tip of the skiff.  We wore waterproof jackets, so our cores were warm but as for our legs, holy freezing. 

Hitting waves on the ocean and having them beast your body is much different than doing so in a river or lake back home.  Instead of that lakey smell that you get in the aftermath of roaring over waves in fresh water, one experiences it a bit differently on the ocean.  These waves tasted of that dreaded cup of water your mother told you to gargle when you felt a sore throat coming on.  It is salty and it makes you gag when it touches your tongue.  Also when it dries, it leaves drool-like crust on your skin.

But seeing the island from the water really put it into perspective.  Ten miles long, five wide.  Really, that does not sound like a huge chunk of land until you see it from a different view or if your body is in the process of staving off hypothermia and the way back isn't as short as you recalled.  

I'm glad we got out and see what it looks like where we live.  The next marine ride we take will likely be during the summer season, just to be safe.

 Skiff.  A variation of the one we went on this morning.