My experience with the TAPC happened by accident. While riding my bicycle along the bay on June 28, a plethora of color and shapes caught my eye. After a moment of study, I grabbed for both brakes. Upon Clinch Park beach, I met a man, John, you all would know his last name, and started a chat. He answered all my questions elegantly and invited me into your club.
Before my very first trip, Lois, I am sure you all know her, phoned me personally to invite me. With the grace of a Grandmother, she schooled me on everything from driving directions to what to bring. It is nice to feel that you belong.
We paddled the Jordan River, what would be my fellow kayakers, all were very helpful with the departure. Tracie lent me a dry bag, Judy showed me a bowline. I felt welcomed, and that's like gold when you move to a totally new area with limited paddling experience.
I had to quickly gain finesse with my flat bottom boat. It sure is squirrelly, but by following Tracie, my confidence rose. She would shout back to me different procedures, demonstrating them at the same time. We all learn through VAK. Visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Tracie provided me with all these tools to grasp and gain a handle on the river. I saw Tracie a couple of days later at the NCF clean Sweep, and from a place inside my chest, I longed to give her a huge hug.
I have the kayak bug: the stealthily way one can travel, the whole body workout, and the plain beauty of seeing Mother Earth from the floating platform, has sparked my interest. The Jordan River paddle was the perfect introduction of what I know will be a beautiful relationship between myself and the waters of Northern Michigan.
Finally, I would like to thank Lois. I have been a very busy guy for my first 50 years. Now I am on the downside of my life, and convenience is important to me. I appreciate the logistics and preparation one has to put in to run such a club. With an authoritarian, yet loving style, Lois sold me on safety, responsibility, stewardship and the shear awesomeness of paddling down a river. I am grateful to live in God's country, and have wonderful caring people share it with me.