A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder
measures the depth of his own nature.
~Henry David Thoreau
July fourth was a beautiful, hot summer day here in Michigan’s Thumb. I’m told it was a perfect day to ride the jet skis.
As I mentioned yesterday, I’d been invited to experience the fun on the water, but never really grasped the opportunity.
I’m overly-cautious around bodies of water – pools, rivers and lakes. Some of it has to do with my mother’s fear of the water as well as once watching a cousin holding his bother under the water until he nearly drown.
Regardless, when James told me that he took a 91-year-old woman out and she drove the jet ski herself, I had to go.
We launched from the Caseville Municipal Harbor. I had to idle in the harbor while James parked the van and trailer and joined me before we headed out into the open water. The ride along the breakwall is a no-wake zone, with calm waters. This was gonna be fun.
Or so I thought.
Two minutes into this little adventure I managed to get swamped by a wave and thought it was over for good. James assured me that if I got the machine up to at least 18 mph, I’d have a better ride and stay above the water’s surface.
Off we went. About seven miles of me getting used to the wave and feel of the machine. I was beginning to enjoy the trip.
Near the end of Sand Point, I stopped and checked out some of the large homes along the north shore. That’s prime real estate and you don’t get a look at this side very often.
We decided to head back toward the swimming beach, but not before James made a confession: “We’ve been riding with the waves. The ride back is going to be a little rougher.”
My options were to beach the machine on the North Shore and walk back to Caseville, or tough it out.
I wasn’t going to bail at this point.
The ride back was much more intense, but I had gotten the hang of keeping the throttle up and staying above the water.
A couple of times I know I was airborne and slammed down on the water’s surface. I felt my spine crack like I was getting an adjustment from the chiropractor. At one point, I was getting so much water in my face I had to stop.
James came to check on me. I told him I felt like I was being water-boarded like a detainee at Guantanamo. Sadly, I’d give up State-secrets in 2 seconds!
Finally we made it to the much calmer waters west of the beach area. James went racing past me and I pressed the throttle down, reaching speeds around 55 mph!
I was getting hooked on this jet ski thing. I even did a few tight circles.
We had frolicked long enough, called it an afternoon and headed in. I was shocking to learn we had been on the water for about 2.5 hours.
While I will always be cautious of the water, I know that I love the fun that can be had on it.
I’m looking forward to my next journey on the “sea.”
More adventures can be found at BareNakedBill.blogspot.com
