-
back from camping w @kahodesu! many stories, but the most intense was getting lost + taking kayak into open ocean
-
mapping a paper map to geological features turns out to be *very* hard... we missed the camp site on the way out and kept going
-
when we passed the last point the swells got very big, the rocks very forbidding with waves crashing violently. nowhere to land in sight.
-
"we went too far!" @kahodesu shouted back over the waves, looking at the map. "this is Land's End! we have to go back!"
-
paddling back hard, sun setting, fear settling in that we might not make land before dark, realizing that there was no plan b, low on water
-
i found a sandy beach with a tent so we paddled closer, excited to be safe "i think thats a rock" @kahodesu suggests "...a tent shaped rock"
-
i couldn't accept a universe so cruel as to place a tent shaped rock on a sandy beach in front of exhausted kayakers looking for landing
-
but sure enough @kahodesu was right. there was no safety there. we had to keep paddling. i cursed god. i truly hated god in that moment.
-
we asked fishermen for directions to parsons landing "big sandy beach that way, you can't miss it" well we did once, friend.
-
"sun's setting. you best make land before it gets dark" "nah they'll make it" the fishermen discuss our fate
-
we finally saw the outline of two people on a beach in the distance. this was the campsite, where we'd find water, where we'd be safe.
-
we landed without an ounce of grace and stumbled ashore, laughing, embracing, sun setting behind us
-
my body immediately let me feel everything it had been keeping from me to stay alive: teeth-clattering cold, thirst, shoulder/back pain
-
we pitched a tent, made a fire, and even had a nice dinner that night. the end.
-
no pictures of this part of the trip because i was paddling for my life, but pictures of the rest of the trip to come ❤️



