Kayaking the Cove

I awoke to the morning mist drifting through the trees.  The sun illuminated the edges of the branches, highlighting the intensity of greens and yellows in the crisp morning light.  I launched my kayak from the back of the small adventure ship I was staying on for a week.  As my kayak slipped into the freezing water, the mirror-like reflections of the surrounding landscape broke apart from total stillness into tiny ripples, creating dazzling colorful patterns on the water’s surface.  As I paddled around the sheltered bay and its various coves I found myself entranced and mesmerized by the surrounding landscape.  Glaciers hung on mountains in the distance and white waterfalls streamed down from high above, cascaded through the forest and poured into the bay.  A thin veil of mist floated all around me, just a few feet above the water’s surface and curious seals popped their heads up to look around.  I ducked into a quiet little cove, sat up and took in the landscape.  Birdsong filled the air, bald eagles took flight overhead with their giant wings flapping as they climbed ever higher.  The colors of the landscape spilled into the water casting abstract patterns onto the glassy surface.  I leaned back, grabbed a snack from my pack, got out my sketchbook and colored pencils, and gave thanks for having the opportunity to be in such an amazing place.