It started out mellow!

This was the scene this morning, mellow for the most part, but out on the water it was a bit “loopy” which meant that there was wind blowing out there somewhere.  The breeze was blowing out of the north and then it turned south…..so I headed south.  I ran into a paddling friend and then the water got mellow again, so we headed down to the boat ramp.  There were some kayaks there already, but I had spotted the first turtle passing Kam III, right in front of my friend!  Then she saw a second turtle.  We headed into the boat ramp area and a third turtle shot up out of the water head first!  I recognized this turtle.  It does this thing with its head that is different from most of the other turtles…..it shoots up head first and then goes down and does it again.  It came right past me!  Then my friend said there was a turtle behind me, so I turned to look.  It was hanging out right behind me and I hadn’t noticed!  Then my friend decided to head back.  I think she was concerned that the wind might change directions, but I stayed at the boat ramp and visited with a couple more turtles.  Suddenly I noticed a change coming over the water and within seconds, the wind came charging in!  I decided to paddle back in hopes that the wind would die back, but NO luck there!  It got worse and pretty soon it was difficult to hang on to my paddle in addition to getting belted with wind waves and white water!  I just kept paddling.  When the wind waves get to the point they are breaking over you…..it ceases to be fun anymore, at least for me!  But I kept paddling!  Before I knew it I had caught up with my friend and she was struggling too.  Lucky for her, she was right at Kam II where she goes in, but I had to make it through Kam II, get past the rocky point, and then make my way in at Kam I!  It took forever and the wind was relentless.  Finally I made it in and I saw that the lifeguards had taken their jet ski out and rescued some tourists on rented paddle boards.  I’m glad I wasn’t one of their rescues!  Just about the time I came in, the wind backed off some and my swim was nice.  Some days are like that!