Travel Adventures: Lake Noquebay Kayaking

Yesterday was a beautiful day to be on the water all day. We took a day trip up to this lake to paddle and it turned out to be a great idea. The magical thing about paddling is that you see a lot more wild life. We actually saw the largest and most beautiful bald eagle take off in flight off of a tree near us and soar for about a half hour. The light shimmering on it's wings was a delight to watch. We also got to really get a good work out in and had a little too much sun. When it is extremely hot though nothing beats being right on the water. We even packed a lunch to enjoy while paddling. Found a little shallow area to stop and walk around while eating. My mom's family used to have a cabin near by so it is always nice to come back to a place of your childhood. Peaceful.

Here are some highlights!

Ryan finally has our trailer the length and set up that he is happy with.

Prepping to go out!

At the boat launch.

Finally in the water.

Just a beautiful day.

The beach.

We paddled for at least 3 hours. We earned a classic malt treat. I had a malt and Ryan an ice cream soda. Heaven on a hot day!

Just another beautiful day in the north woods of Wisconsin. A memory to hold onto in the cold winter months that is for sure.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Travel Adventures: The Bay of Green Bay and Door County Kayaking

So fun!
If you have not noticed from like all my ton of pictures posted recently we started serious kayaking and we are loving every minute of it. This is most likely the most intense hobby I have picked up but it has also been rather rewarding. I can feel my body working hard which I love. I even worked through a back injury flare up due to a canoe paddle we took last week.

This journey has been years in the making I have gone white water kayaking two times and in sea kayaks once last year and once this year. I love how fast you get a cruising in a kayak and the ability to maneuver more agile in the water in  kayak compared to our canoe.

I will say that I have been truly blessed with three special people in my life that are guiding me through learning kayaking in a safe and constructive way. A warm thank you for my neighbor Mike who has not only borrowed us gear but guided us along safely into this sport. Jacob you are a dear man willing to take me out on the bay and be patient with me while I struggled through practicing my self rescues. Pulling up your body weight out of water is no joke people. The paddle community in general has outreached their arms to us and has been really supportive. Lastly thank you to my husband who is the most adventurous person I have ever met. Having to learn this sport through a serious back injury he is always finding ways to help me fight through.

CoCo!

Some important things I have learned that I will quick share I am sure I could talk your ears off about paddling right now and it could only get worse the more I get into this sport.

 A sea kayak is NOT the same as the cheaper kayak's you use on lakes/rivers. My boat who has been christened "CoCo" is 15 feet long and she was a deal but still expensive. She is heavy and hard to transport (we are still working on that). What is really special with a sea kayak is not just the ability to be on small lakes and rivers you can go on the great lakes and ocean. The kayak is made with a ton of storage for longer trips and you sit down in the kayak not on top. I have a full skirt that I wear to keep water out of my boat. That is the funny blue thing in my pictures. It is also really important to wear a special kayak life jacket that is made for paddling.

I was taught by Jacob self rescue as mentioned above and group rescue which are REALLY important if you are in a big open body of water. My entire body is a giant bruise from this but so worth it I feel a ton more comfortable falling out of my boat, emptying the water out, flipping it and getting back in on my own as well as in a group setting. I did it! I still need a lot more practice though.

I know this is a wall of text I am just learning so much its awesome. To lighten your mind here are some pictures from our adventures this past weekend. Cannot wait for my new life jacket to come this week.

Ryan after our first lesson from Jacob and paddle.

We had a great day of learning on the bay of Green Bay!

On our way to Door County.

Get that year pass!

Before we went out for a nice long paddle.

WOW!

Jacob and Ryan in their wood kayaks. :)

I managed a quick selfie.

This is like 1 out of 20 bruises from practicing self/group rescues. Not easy.

Photo taken by Mike of Jacob, Ryan and I.

In action.

Our fearless teacher Jacob!

I cannot wait for what the future holds in this new sport. Again thanks to everyone that has been supporting me through my back injury flare up and allow me to still be active.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Self Care: Trusting You

I have been thinking about this topic a lot lately. When I started trying to live a healthy life style I thought every single day I needed to go hard 110% working out and eat completely clean. I think a lot of people go into change like this but it is not sustainable nor a good idea. Why do you ask? You burn out after a while. Your body cannot handle a strain like that all the time and let's be real we all need fries from time to time. I know this goes back to the balance conversation but also it is about trusting your body. A prime example I came across this week. Monday I wanted to work out so Ryan and I went canoeing. Which is great but it flared up my lower back injury something fierce. I needed to listen to my body Monday night, Tuesday and even today. I am sore and my disc is for sure swollen in my back. I am walking like a slow turtle. Listening to my body I am making sure because I cannot work out to stretch, do yoga, take long baths, heat the area, ice the area, take my medication for swelling reduction.

Luna is the perfect hiking partner. Dirty feet and all!

Changing up our fit life style a bit I got a new bike a couple years ago.

Remember resting when injury hits is not weakness. It is not being lazy. Keep moving when injured as much as you can but just do other things to keep mobile. I used to not be like this. I used to say "I have bum knees." "I have crappy lungs." ETC. Don't let that stop you focus on what you can do and really try to listen to your body. Throwing a rest day in with limited activity is not bad either. Body builders (not me) often take rest days to allow their muscles to rest and recover. It is okay to do this!

Learning to trust yourself will really help you.

Things I have had to change about my lifestyle to stay active but prevent further back issues:
last here I did chiropractic care which I liked but I needed someone to teach me how to fix my issues on my own so I reached out and saw a physical therapist to strengthen my upper back muscles that were weak. He also helped me fix my crappy posture which was my under laying issue. He has me on a good path to being stronger. Recommended kayaking (work on that core!) which I have picked up as a hobby and massage therapy. Both big game changers for me. I can no longer wear heels due to my back unless for special occasions not every day. I cannot jump while doing Zumba or really any activity. I am okay giving up both these things for long term care. Lastly it is not being a drug addict to take medication to help reduce swelling. I need to stick to taking the NSAID (ibuprofen) on a schedule till my swelling is down to a manageable level. This education was really valuable for me.

Hello new kayak!

We are excited for new work out adventures kayaking!

The point of this wall of text is that I want you to know you are not alone. We are all in this together on this plant and you can do it. If I with all my medical issues can be a fit person in some shape of form you can do. Do not give up hang in there. Really try your best to trust yourself and the limits of your body. Never feel like a failure for having to modify your life to be healthy in a different way. Even if that is a rest day here or there!

I did the STRIDE challenge at work with my team and we just tried to walk 5 miles for 75 days. I did it! Even doing things like walking more can be a good way to get some activity in even if you are injured or want a light work out on a rest day.

Started yoga last year to help with stretching and core strength. Always better with friends and puppies!

 Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Travel Adventures: Summerfest & MI (July 4th week)

That's right I am a crazy person and I have been traveling a lot lately. Weew!
I took the entire first week of July off and let me tell you it was worth the time off. Remember to take time away from work to reset if you can. Even if it is a day here or there.

Summerfest

We went on 6/30 to see Zac Brown Band and it was such a fun day even though some of the weather was a tad crazy earlier in the day.

Some highlights:

I have been here before. It was slightly raining so we stopped in to this fun brewery for a bit.

YEY!

I love adventures with friends!

First band of the day.

Done!

Twins in the rain.

Rain go away!

My favorite thing at Summerfest Reuben rolls!

The crowds.

Sun! ZZB time!

Our view.

We are ready for ZZB!

WOW.

Such a good show!

 Trip to MI!

Ryan has family in MI and they all go up to Munising MI each year for the fourth. We joined them this year and just had the best time. It is seriously gorgeous in MI.  I loved the food, the activities and all the people.

July 3rd
Ryan's birthday. We enjoyed a beautiful drive up north, some kayaking and dinner!

The fish bucket is fantastic. White fish! yum!

He is thrilled I promise.

WOW! What a view.

Happy Birthday.

We are ready!

Yes- I ate fish for both of my meals this day. So good!

July 4th
I mean a parade-- nap-- fireworks and goooood food. The fireworks were some of the best I have ever seen.

The like have the BEST bagel place in town. We went two times while in Munising MI! 

$5 blood's in 88 degrees? yes!

Parade time.

Fire Trucks!

Smokey!

Ryan and I fed Ty a lot of cool freezies.

My first shaved ice ever. yum!

They are everywhere!

We walked to the docks to see all the boats. Look a pirate ship!

ERRR--- Pirates!

We needed a nap and a beer stop.

Chai tea with ice cream in it!

murica!

Ryan teaching the kids to skip stones.

Gus! :)

Emma is so cool in Ryan's sunglasses.

NO KEGS OKAY!

Carrot Mango ice. :)

July 5th
We were invited to a family members camp (cabin) for the day. It was the perfect day.

Falling Rock Café has the biggest sandwiches!

It rained the night before but the heat burned all the clouds off for the perfect day.

Beautiful cabin.

Look at that view!

"toes in the water, butt on the dock"

Fish!

Wood fire pizza for dinner? yes please!

July 6th
This day we went home but took a road trip adventure on the way. Some risks this day did not pay off. Looking at you beaver lake drive that caused us to go off roading in the jetta a bit. We loved going down the winding highway with wind in our hair though.

Okay.. I loved the bagel place so much I had to go back.

Mini hike at Munising falls.

Beautiful.

Miners Castle. We actually went Kayaking in and around this location on Ryan's birthday.

Yvonne told us a funny story about drinking some adult beverages here as a young adult.  :)

Took a break from the road for lunch!
Grand Marais is so cute!

Beaver Lake we know you are out there... somewhere...

A puppy at the brewery.

Amber beer at the brewery.

We met a kind lady from GB here that runs the museum. Cool little place with tons of fun history.

Home.

Wine and a fire after a long travel day. :)

Just a whirl wind of a good time. Happy to be home and start looking to purchase Sea Kayaks for more adventures!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily