Reflections on Boating in the Summertime

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I was selected as an Ambassador for Discover Boating! Tips This post of reflections on Boating in the summertime is part of a series for which compensation in the form of a promotional item will occur.

 

Earlier in June, I shared a bit about enjoying summertime through boating.  At the time, we still had some grand plans for getting out on the water.  However, we’ve found that to be impossible so far between unexpected changes in work schedules for my husband or his friends with boats and the variable weather have conspired to keep us off the water so far this summer.  But, we can still dream and plan for the rest of the warm days ahead.

 

One of the dreams is for our family to take a cruise of Prince William Sound to see glaciers up close and hopefully spot a few different species of wildlife.  A few years ago, the older boys and my husband had a short trip on part of the sound in the zodiac boat we used to own. 

They had a lot of fun, although my husband said that’s when he realized that the zodiac is fine for getting to shore but a little bit nerve wracking to use for all your navigation in the sound.  Even the sight of wildlife couldn’t erase the sense of urgency of returning to Whittier before weather or running out of fuel happened.

The water has been known to get rather bumpy and even too dangerous for a larger boat to navigate when the weather goes south.  That’s why their planned trip in May on a friend’s small, but ocean worthy boat was cancelled…forecasted high waves.

 

While we haven’t been on the water, we have been getting out and enjoying ourselves this summer.  And, typically we are at least near different waterways even if we are not able to go boating.

 

For the 4th of July weekend, we visited a nice campground nestled in the interior of Alaska with a lovely stream meandering through the campground.  With few exceptions, everyone was alongside the water where you could try your hand at fishing.  I even saw a few kids playing in the water and was relieved that they were wearing life vests as the water was really moving.

 

 

Earlier this month, we joined the annual migration of Alaskan residents seeking to stock the freezer with salmon through subsistence dip netting.  Only my husband got into the water, but the rest of us enjoyed being near the water both at the Kenai River where he was dip netting.  You could even watch the commercial fishermen going out into the inlet to catch their fill.

 

 

Also, it was just a short walk to the beach front along the Cook Inlet at our camping site at Captain Cook State Park.  The boys had a blast beach combing for rocks.  I loved the soothing sound of the water moving.

 

 

I am secretly hoping that the boys will have the chance to go on Lake Erie with their uncle and cousin when we visit them in a few weeks.  However, I’m not holding my breath as our luck seems to be running ‘bad’ when it comes to more open waters.  Instead, maybe we’ll be planning trips with the canoe or get with friends for a little kayaking adventure.

 

Discover Boating has a ton of resources to help you have a blast on the water.  Check out which boat you’ll want based on the planned activities,  learn more about youth boating programs, and see how you can get your significant other to join the fun with the spousal conversion kit.  You can even see how Jake Owen, country star and boater, enjoys life on the water and how it inspires his music.

 

Do you or your family members enjoy getting out ON the water?

What are some of your fun water based adventures for this summer?