Thankful Thursday::K for Kayak

Kayaks (Inuktitut) were originally developed by the Inuit, Yup'ik and Aleut. They used the boats to hunt on inland lakes, rivers and coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic, Bering Sea, and North Pacific oceans. These first kayaks were constructed from stitched seal or other animal skins stretched over a wood or whalebone-skeleton frame. (Western Alaskan Natives used wood whereas the eastern Inuit used whalebone due to the treeless landscape). Kayaks are believed to be at least 4,000 years old.

Native builders designed and built their boats based on their own experience and that of the generations before them, passed on through oral tradition. The word "kayak" means "man's boat" or "hunter's boat", and native kayaks were a personal craft, each built by the man who used it—with assistance from his wife, who sewed the skins—and closely fitting his size for maximum maneuverability. A special skin jacket, Tuilik, was then laced to the kayak, creating a waterproof seal. This enabled the eskimo roll to become the preferred method of regaining posture after capsizing, especially as few Eskimos could swim; their waters are too cold for a swimmer to survive for long.

~ Wikipedia

Since we were unable to leave for our vacation as planned, we have instead taken day trips and also spent a few nights in Banff, which was lovely.  There is nothing like spending days on lakes and being surrounded by the Rocky Mountains to lift the soul.  Last summer we enjoyed days canoeing in Montana and though we haven't been able to partake this summer, we are currently looking at purchasing a kayak (or two).  I like the ease and lighter weight of kayaks so that my daughters can enjoy paddling them on their own.

Memories of time spent floating on lakes, slow flowing rivers and creeks in the north are some of my most cherished.  These are the memories I wish to pass along to my children.  So, through these shorter and cooler August days I am already looking forward to next summer, though I am enjoying these days as they run into my favorite season.  And so at times when sadness or stress overcomes me, I take time to remember all the reasons there are to be grateful, like those days spent on the water with my family.