Did I have time to squeeze in a restorative paddle? Earlier this week, I cooked Salubrious Turnip Greens and Roots. Luckily I knew Grill Man would love greens served along side a fresh skillet of cornbread. Any Southern girl can whip up a pan of hot crusty cornbread without a lot of fuss. Before you know it, dinner is ready with fresh homegrown sliced tomatoes, Vidalia onions and turnip greens.

Fresh vegetables are good but Grill Man is an unabashed meat-eater. He believes that it should be present and accounted for on every plate. However, fresh home cooked greens served with hot cornbread is enough to make him forget about a meatless plate. In my book, this is a win for a number of reasons including our health.

Pay attention to the world around you

A win that would also help lead me to my Dauphin Island restorative paddle. After dinner the gloomy rain clouds blew away from our little spot on the island. Rains from earlier in the day had tamped down the heat of August.

On the porch, I could hear the birds chirping my Dauphin Island restorative paddle harbinger song. It almost sounded like, “Day is almost over, get out here if you want to paddle”. Who am I to argue with Mother Nature’s harbinger chirps? Once I decided to squeeze in the paddle I could not get out there fast enough.

I will try to describe the utter joy I experienced. My pink paddle board slid quietly into the water and off we went. Water and wind conditions totally impact the type of paddle that you may experience on any given day. I have paddled in still water, rolling waves, choppy waves and washing machine water. Any day that the weather, wind and water conditions are paddle friendly is a good day.

At the same time, if stars are lining up in your favor the water is almost still and shiny as glass. As I paddled, the reflections in the water started to mesmerize me. Blue and white fluffy clouds were dancing on the water as my pink board shattered the images as I paddled. Occasionally I looked up from the dazzling array of colors, clouds, trees, grasses, birds flying and mirrored images on the water.

Images sped by at the speed of my paddle. If I stopped paddling and lifted the paddle from the water my board would wind its speed down to a complete stop. With no one else on the water it appeared as if I was standing on the largest piece of glass capturing a fading sunset with hints of orange and pink.

Of course, I didn’t have my camera with me on the board. And yet I wasn’t sure that the stunning beauty that I witnessed could be captured with a camera. With intent I studied the scene so that I could at least try to remember natures panorama of sights and sounds.

Be present in the moment

Occasionally, a greeting party surfaced to announce dominion over a water spot. As I share this, it seems silly to get excited about seeing a jelly fish floating or a crab swimming in the water. As I paddled alone on the water near sun down the day light started fading so I started my return home.

My board slid easily across the water with minimal effort. At the edge of a days end the surroundings and still water change. Night beckons in the distance as fish are feeding. Bait fish move just beneath the waters surface to create a break in the glassy water. This slight movement always make me wonder what else is moving in the water.

As I was paddling home, I noticed what looked like a small fin in the water. With purpose, I paddled a little bit closer to identify. In horror movies, this is where the audience screams at the actress to go the other way. As I edged slowly closer to the fin, the Jaws theme song crept into my airwaves. As I looked down a very large fish near the waters surface ate his late afternoon snack. In fact he seemed surprised by my attention, turned around quickly and swam away.

As I paddled back home birds started swirling high in the sky above the grassy areas near the waters edge. A symphony of crickets and frogs increased their volume to drown out the birds. Just then a mullet jumped out of the water and hit my board. I confess I screamed like a girl but a girl that stayed her board.

I paddled on back but a little faster. Nature had lured me into her domain with falling temperature, promise of sunset and glassy water. My Dauphin Island restorative paddle had provided movement and a diversion for my mind and body. Yet, clearly nature had sent me a sign and it read, “Day is almost over, get your ass back home.”

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Summer time is perfect to get your body and paddle on the water. As we continue to improve with age like wine, it’s imperative that we keep moving. Our bodies need and want to keep moving to perform at our optimum levels even if our minds are not on board.

If your anywhere close in age to the un-magical number where the weight has moved in and taken up residence you know how hard it is to lose weight. If you enjoy great food and wine, you also know how hard it is to lose weight. Paddling may be the tool your looking for or at least another way to move your body.

Optimum level sounds like a great goal to shoot for. At this point, burning a bunch of calories, hanging out on the water sharing nature and conversation sounds awesome. I have never been a fan of exercise although I need it. Paddling accomplishes all of my goals without feeling like I was stuck in a gym.

Warning! Paddling on the water may  be addictive and will surely improve your mental outlook. Certainly paddling will decrease stress along with the calorie burn. In my case, developing recipes and love of cooking  requires that I find a exercise outlet that I want to build into my schedule.

Where to Join Fairhope Paddle Group

Hurry, join Fairhope Paddle Group and meet us on the beach. Mostly we meet at Fairhope Municipal Park just past the guard shack on the left. Overtime, I may select another location for a paddle.  Sunset Paddle every Tuesday 6pm or Morning Paddle every Saturday 9am. Paddles held every week during Summer starting this week.

Weeks Bay Pelican Paddle

Next month Weeks Bay Foundation is hosting 6th Annual Pelican Paddle on August 4th. Event is open to all ages for canoe, kayak or paddle boards. If your not in the mood to compete join the guided Eco Tour to enjoy Weeks Bay.  Support a great cause and spin quality time with your family.

Last year, our group joined in the fun. Check up on my mis-adventures from last year’s Pelican Paddle. I am  happy to report that this year a separate category has been added for paddle boards. If you need to borrow a board call  251-990-5004 to check board availability.

Come on, get  your Paddle On and calories off. See you on the beach!

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It is shocking to me that I was eager to take part in the Week’s Bay Pelican Paddle.  Probably more shocking to Grill Man that I was considering it.  Athletic is not exactly in the list of words that he would use to describe me.

During my school  years, I never played sports other than the games they forced you to play in gym. Gym was torturous for me in school since I was not very adept at sports.  Not to mention the middle school tacky blue one piece with elastic gathered at the waist and snaps up the front. Really, who looks good in that?

In addition to games children play, Dodge ball was even on my list of things I hated.  Although, I could manage dodging a ball better than hitting a ball with a bat. When your classmates pick teams and you find yourself being near the end of the line, it is a special kind of humbling.

Or as my father would describe a dose of character building. Snarky character building comments from team mates were my favorite part of gym.  Send me to the library please, can’t I read my way out of this? I was thrilled when I was finally able to bypass gym and leave the torture chamber behind.

Exercise is critical for all of us to blend into our daily lives. Move it or lose it applies to everyone.  I enjoy physical activity when I may include something that I enjoy or it includes change. Sadly, I get bored with repetitive type exercise then I lose interest. Yet this does not happen with walking outside with friends, yoga, zumba, kayaking, or hopping on a paddle board.

Why Paddle?

Each paddle is so different depending on the wind, water conditions, weather, time of day and paddle partners. Paddling is part of my weekly exercise, huge calorie burn and stress therapy. As much as I enjoy cooking and eating, exercise is important for me. When my friends join me paddling it is a bonus and a special treat.

Last year I had thought about participating in Week’s Bay Pelican Paddle race but it came and went before I knew it. Supporting Week’s Bay Foundation is certainly reason enough to take part. My sister visiting had agreed to compete with me in the Week’s Bay pelican paddle. Also part of  the Fairhope Paddle Group  had elected to compete in the 3.5 mile race.

I use the term compete loosely since all of us participated for the first time in the event. We were newbies getting our feet wet in the competition, literally. It was exciting to sit at the start area for the race and wait for the event to start. As an adult this was my first competition and I really did not know what to expect. The participants ranged in age from 10-70 plus. A few kayaks carried little ones that were under the age of 10.

My goal for the race was simple, complete and stay on the board. I typically paddle well and staying on the board was not on my list of concerns. The water was calm enough to aid in this mission. My sister and I managed to complete the race with my Fairhope Paddle Group.

Sadly, within the first few minutes of the race starting, I was thrust into the water.  This was most certainly not part of my plan. As soon as we started the race, while I was beginning to develop  a paddle rhythm, reality struck.

Help I’ve Fallen and I can’t get up!

A two person kayak that was behind me rammed into my board. Did I say that they were behind me? Thrust into the water before I knew what hit me. What? Who? And more importantly why? Apparently, my petite frame, turquoise rash guard and  10′ white and pink paddle board was hard for the couple in the kayak to see.

One second I am on the board standing as tall as I am able to muster, next in the water, grasping for paddle and wondering what the heck had happened. I won’t go into the exact words that were screaming in my head. Let’s just say that they were colorful.

Thankfully, wearing the leash limits how far the board may go when you fall. Slowly I swam to my board while holding paddle in my left hand. Wedged between a kayak and board, I looked back at the kayak that had baptized me and sighed.  I am never at a loss for words. This certainly wasn’t one of those times.

Instantly, I had lovely words to share with my baptizer but I managed to dig deep for my manners and kept my mouth shut. For a minute, I struggled trying to untangle my leash. Then I managed to put myself back on the board with my bruised ego in tow.

While I adjusted my apparel, I realized I lost my sunglasses. Damn it! I looked in front of me and noticed that everyone had moved a fair distance ahead while I was I floundering in the water. Damn it! The bright green kayak that had launched me into the water had acquired control of their paddles finally and were leaving me. I looked behind me and a few stragglers were paddling my way. If I didn’t get moving, I really would be last. Damn it!

My baby sister was patiently waiting for me. Based on her facial expression, I must have looked waterlogged.  Because I certainly felt drenched to the bone. Slowly, I stood up on my board and started paddling. Yes, I had fallen in but I was not going to come in last, it was paddle-time.

Vigorously I paddled, it was awhile before I caught up and paddled past the first person. Minutely, I felt a little better. I could see our paddle group was competing with the pack of other paddlers far ahead of me. My sister was paddling and we were moving forward. Yay, go team.

3.5 miles is a long way to paddle a bruised ego. Moreover, once I started moving closer to the other paddlers, I smiled and paddled harder. At some point, I paused for a much-needed water break and returned to paddling. My sister was with me paddling, the sun was shining, our group was ahead of me paddling, life was good.

Race or take part with Eco Tour

Once we finally made the half way turn, I felt better about my spot in the race. Paddling along with the racers,  a group of kayaks were taking the Eco-tour of Weeks Bay. Everyone was having a good day on the water. Paddle, paddle and paddle!

Sun shining propelled all of us to the finish line. Upon our return, we were greeted with music. All paddlers had acquired a sense of accomplishment.  I waited for my turn to touch land and leave Week’s Bay behind me. Finally once I located my sister, we retrieved our boards.  Since we were both hungry from our calorie burn we headed for lunch. After lunch we commiserated with our fellow paddlers and laughed with our friends. Our group hung around to see the awards and prizes handed out.

Most of all, our prize consisted of completing the Week’s Bay Pelican Paddle. Our reward consisted of a beautiful day on the water with friends meanwhile supporting Week’s Bay.  Everyone should support conservation of our waterways. Next year, consider joining our group on Week’s Bay or support the waterways near your home.

Several companies sponsored  the Week’s Bay Pelican Paddle event including my friend, John Manelos from Fairhope Paddleboard . Also, John  provided a paddle board demonstration for event. Likewise, if you haven’t tried this sport, contact John for a lesson. Fairhope Paddle Group schedules a paddle twice a week. For details email me at paddle@diningwithmimi.com.

Week’s Bay Pelican Paddle is fundraiser for WBF

Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is supported by the Weeks Bay Foundation. Both groups work to conserve coastal areas of Baldwin County, Alabama. Weeks Bay Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

In summary, Weeks Bay Foundation is a Nationally Accredited Land Trust striving to “protect wetlands where our coastline meets the waters of the Mobile and Weeks Bays. These bogs, marshes, and estuaries are integral to our environmental health as a state, a nation, and a planet.”

Happy Paddling Y’all!

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The visit was short and sweet, only two days to catch up with my Aunt, Uncle, Funny Girl, Hunter and  Writer-in-training. Short window of time but we managed to squeeze in a quality visit including beachin’ it, card game, meals together filled with laughter, stories and paddling.

Paddling with wild life?

Funny Girl and Writer-in-training paddled the day before I arrived. They were able to get their feet wet. Our first full day at the beach, Funny Girl and I met about 8-ish. I knew if we were going to have any opportunity to see “wild-life” we needed to hit the water early. And by “wild-life”, I meant the swimming kind not the drinkin’, swearing “Hey Y’all, Watch this” kind.

We prepared ourselves for hot sunshine and headed to the gorgeous water.  Water near the shoreline is a very light turquoise. Each of us maneuvered into the water and started our paddling adventure.  Funny Girl paddled well for only being on the water a couple of times. I was in heaven with the sun shining, turquoise water with a light chop and visibility clearly to the sandy bottom.

If I wasn’t grinning on the outside my entire being was lit up and dancing on the inside. Paddling in this environment is so beautiful and peaceful. A sense of peace and calm surround me while paddling. Occasionally, the light would hit a school of tiny fish and make the water sparkle like diamonds, then move away.

I believe the school of fish were looking for cover under our boards. Let’s skip over the subject of what may have looked for the school of fish. Funny Girl and I were happy in our paddling adventure, content with the sweet denial of any predators lurking.

The rhythm of the ocean allowed us to paddle and paddle. Our boards led us as far as we dared to go, we paddled until a quick glance at shore made us ponder our distance. Funny Girl suggested that we start to head back, we were pretty far from shore. Being on the water is precious but it’s important to remember how quickly the weather may change. We started our paddle back to the beach. Sadly, no dolphins.

After a bit of paddling, we decided to sit and take a break. I don’t remember what we talked about other than, what a fabulous time we were having, enjoying nature.  Emerald water  so deep that you could only see the deep color and appreciate its beauty.

Deep water also makes you ponder about what you can not see down below. After we sat a spell, we continued paddling to the shore. Within a couple of minutes, Funny Girl said that she thought dolphins were to the right. So, we paddled right and waited.

Paddle boards, Dolphins want play!

Before I knew it, dolphins had swam past me to flank Funny Girls bright yellow, YOLO board, one to her left and one to her right. Apparently, she was getting a full escort to shore. My first thought as my mind was racing a million miles an hour was “How do dolphins communicate?”

My brain was unable to retrieve that file, so I did what every Southern girl would do,  I chatted up my dolphins. I added in a baby talk voice because I could not help myself. I made clicking noises and called out to them as they swam around.  They paddled under my board, up  and through the middle. Then under Funny Girls board and around again.

Dolphins jumped, swam all around us and greeting their new friends as only dolphins would do. Up for air and back down again. Sadly, then they swam away. We were in awe of our dolphin visit and giggled like school girls. Clearly, with our dolphin sighting, we were having a very good day. Before we knew what happened our dolphins returned to us, they swam around and I summoned the baby talk. Again, I could not help myself.

I sat on my board and held my paddle as we watched their graceful moves through the water. I wanted to touch them and I reached down into the water. As they swam near they were always just beyond my reach. At least one of our dolphins were covered in spots. So close to me and  yet so very far away. Our dolphins swam away. Giddy with our encore, we chatted and then started paddling.

Our paddles in the water, the sun shining and our feet slightly damp from the water splash, tired but standing. Only a small time passed and our Dolphins greeted us again, Funny Girl and I smiled, “They’re playing with us.” And we were happy to play back.

Our group consisted of two babies and three adult dolphins, playful and social. One of the dolphins, swam near the front of my board and dove under, just before going under, he splashed his tail multiple times as if to say “How about that?” I continued with the baby talk and to say something that did not make me sound like an idiot. I am not sure that I succeeded, away they went.

We started paddling, my cousin suggested that we paddle fast and see if they returned. Before long our dolphin play mates had returned to greet us, they jumped and splashed as if to say “Hey, Y’all watch this” and watch we did. Spellbound, content with our own version of “Sea World”, we  paddled while they swam around.

Our time  on paddle boards with the dolphins lasted for about 30 minutes as they would swim away and return to us. In total our dolphins swam back to us about six or seven times ready to engage and play each time.

Our paddle and playing with the dolphins memory will last a lifetime. Funny Girl said that it was an epic event for us. Certainly an amazing gift to witness and share in with my cousin. Paddling in emerald waters with sunshine overhead, a light breeze caressing you is reason enough to paddle.

Paddle boards- Dolphins want play? Absolutely, dolphins want play! Have you paddled with dolphins? Please add this to your bucket list. You will love it.

Related articles: Paddle Boards- Dolphins Want play?

Tips to attract dolphins

Local Paddle Group

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Prior to stepping on a board, I watched a video online and read a couple of articles. Laird Hamilton is a rock star of water sports. Laird’s site offers great information for anyone interested in learning about SUP.

Located a spot to rent boards and managed to convince a couple of friends to join the maiden voyage. I fell head over heels in love with this sport from day one. Paddle boarding was an answer to a prayer.

To paddle or not to paddle?

1. Paddle- if you want to enjoy the beauty of nature
2. Paddle- away and embrace freedom on the water
3. Paddle- if you love being on the water
4. Paddle- if you need to relieve stress
5. Paddle- if you need to exercise or lose weight
6. Paddle- for a fun activity to share with friends or family
7. Paddle- if you want to meet people
8. Paddle- into the sun and watch the sunset dip down
9. Paddle- to relax and find your happy place
10. Paddle- away from all technology
11. Paddle- just because want to

In my early days of paddling, I tried to paddle when ever I could find the time. A few of my friends paddled with me occasionally.  Surprise filled me when I learned everyone does not love paddle boarding as much as I do. Clearly  I wanted to paddle. In a hurry, I needed to find other paddle boarders.

Need a lesson so you may join Local Paddle Group?

Over a long period, I eventually found my way to like- minded paddlers, like John. John Manelos owns  Fairhope Paddleboard and provides lessons for anyone wanting to learn how to paddle. John is a cool guide and perfect person to introduce you to this sport.

I love the sport of paddle boarding. Once I purchased my board, I wanted to paddle as much as possible. The light bulb eventually lit and I posed the question on a local social media site. “Would anyone like to join a local paddle group?”  Delighted is the best way to describe the way I felt when I saw the amount of response this question posed.

I immediately set a date for our first paddle. Seven people showed up an hour before our Local Paddle Group paddle to take a lesson from John. All seven had never paddled before. No one fell in the water that day. Thankfully, the water was smooth like glass and certainly assisted their lesson.

Things to consider when paddling

Paddle boarding is dependent on the weather cooperating. Mother Nature has a schedule all of her choosing.  It is important to check the weather before a paddle and look at the radar for your area. At times, we delay the start of our Local Paddle Group and chat on the side lines while waiting for Mother Nature to blow through.

I have paddled many times alone and enjoyed the solitude of the paddle. Being on the water alone does increase the risk. As we all know, accidents occur and the timing always catches us by surprise. Paddling with a group helps reduce issues that may occur with paddling alone.

Since I started the local paddle group, it has provided a paddle partner for everyone that has joined. I am happy to say that I have met some very lovely people in our group. If you want to join our group, email me at paddle@diningwithmimi.com. Our group has zero fees, meetings or obligations, it’s all about the paddle.

Over time, I hope to plan paddle trips to unique places to paddle. I am happy to have the bay close to where I live so that I am able to paddle after work. Paddling is a perfect way to relieve the stress of the day while you watch the sunset dip down. Paddle and play is a perfect way to end a day. Meet us at the beach, if your game.

For related articles view the following:

Paddle now and dine later

Make ahead Beach Menu- Freeze Transport

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