Cheeseburgers in Paradise: June 19 Group Ride
"Nature and the Birth of the D'Arbonne Kayak Club"

As I reflect on last Saturday's group ride--I wanted to post some thoughts about this group as we've now launched group ride #2. And what a ride it was! Thanks to Jan and Vicki for capturing what to me was a really unique experience. Not only did we travel through some green lush vegetation that looked right out of National Geographic, we also saw the elusive Osprey nest which had moved from the Hwy 2 location. Then later in the ride we saw a deer in the water along the shore eating leaves from a tree branch. Wayne was the first to notice that something was attached to the deer. Then we all noticed that this was a Mother deer giving birth. Now, I don't know if the birth was just happening or if something went wrong during delivery, but the deer scurried off as we approached. We later all tied together in what seemed to be the middle of the lake and ate watermelon. When we decided to swim we noticed we were still not more than waist deep. It was a four mile ride, but it seemed peaceful and calm. Full of nature, wild and spontaneous and a great group of kayakers that all seemed happy to be there. What a nice change of mind from our 8-5 pace of hurried and detailed organized deadlines and plans. There was no real plan to this day and it seemed to unfold just fine. We ended up after the ride discussing the "loosely organized" group during our Cheeseburgers at Lester's. My conclusion was that I don't have a specific vision for where this group will evolve. There is no specific plan for where we will go next. My opinion is that the group has been born. Each person that has witnessed the birth of the D'Arbonne Kayak Club either through the Facebook page or through attending a group ride is considered a "member" and thus can lead the group in any direction you suggest. Just like nature, what will happen will happen and each participant can help the group evolve and grow in different directions. I'll continue to post ideas and suggestions (as each member can do) and in the end, just like in nature, what will be will be. And either way, I will enjoy the ride. Henry David Thoreau said, "I believe there is subtle magnetism in nature, which if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright."