Autumn Envy/Mission Accomplished

So, my mom called the other day to rub in the fact that it’s autumn in Utah. Well, she called to tell me what she was making for dinner, but it was a distinctly fall-time dish. (A dish I will never be able to replicate to taste as good as hers. Don’t you hate how moms can do that?) Anyway, thoughts of that meal reminded me that it’s my favorite time of year: Autumn. Well, it’s my favorite time of year everywhere but in Southern California, where seasons don’t seem to really change that much (which is a huge draw for many, but not for me). The hills turn a different shade of brown, which serves as a lovely backdrop for the millions of sand-colored, stucco track-homes that cover this region. Yawn. Anyway, between her phone call and the bazillion of bloggers that have been posting pictures of the changing colors and scenic drives up various canyons, I have a total case of Autumn-Envy.

Because of my Autumn-Envy and because I wanted to start off my three-day weekend with a bang, I set off to do something that I could only do in Southern California – because it would be too cold everywhere else. You know, the glass-half-full approach to by season-envy. So Elise and I set out to try something I’ve wanted to do all year/summer after seeing photos of people doing this in Hawaii. Paddleboarding.

It seemed we were doomed to fail. The weather suddenly turned cold and windy on Friday afternoon, our GPS directions sent us twice to the wrong location, the rental shop was closed when we finally found it, AND our back up place wouldn’t rent paddleboards because it was too windy. We gave up and decided that since we were there, we would just rent kayaks and cruise the back bay. As we made our way down to the beach with our kayaks, we noticed several paddleboards in the shed. After a quick inquiry as to their availability, we finally got paddleboards and were off to explore the channels of Sunset Beach. And it was so, so fun. SO fun. Like, omigosh, you-haven’t-lived-until-you’ve-tried-this fun. But until then, you’ll just have to enjoy the pictures.

Here I am, putting all my weight into that stroke.  Looking a litte constipated.  Don't let that fool you, though; I'm having a blast.
Elise Wallace showing you how it's done.
She always makes everything look so easy.  Even managing to smile for the camera. Greeting from Southern California...in October!
So in your face, Utahans! I hope you enjoy your hot cocoa/cider and beautiful fall foliage – you can’t do this! You don’t even have an ocean. Mull over that as you sit near your enviable wood-burning fireplaces. And I’ll try to not be jealous of you even though the only fire I’ll be enjoying this weekend is the one burning several counties away in Merek that has spewed ash all over my freshly washed car. 

Small victories.  Happy Columbus Day.