I finally got to go out paddling on the Napa River Sunday on an outrigger canoe

Courtney was with Matt, so I took off from the house around 8:15 am

It was a sea layer day, no wind, not warm but not cold

Actually, it was perfect weather to be outside

There were 14 people, paddlers, enough for 2 outriggers

Everyone, and I mean all 13 other paddlers, were sooooo nice, friendly, welcoming

This group does compete during the season

This is not the competition season

I definitely have competitive fire in my blood, but I do not need to ignite any of that right now

The Ohana team has a more developed style than my experience paddling in Smithfield with MAPA

I could see that as we made our way down river and back

The Ohana team has some rituals that likely originate from Hawaii, some new words that I wasn’t familiar with

They thank the outrigger after returning safely to the dock

They have a team huddle after the outrigger is cleaned and stored safely

Each person places their left hand on the hull

The left hand being closer to the heart

Being able to be part of this group and their rituals of gratefulness was such a peaceful, wonderful morning for me

Being on the water is so very nourishing to my soul

I feel more whole, closer to my real self, more closely tethered to my soul

After the team huddle, as we were all saying goodbye, the leader Michelle came up to me

She was the “steersman” on our boat, calling encouragements, calling for slight corrections along the way

She wanted to share a few tips on my paddle methods which I welcomed

As we talked, she shared she and her brother were caring for her mom who has a form of dementia

”You need this” she said to me as I shared that we were on a journey with Uncle Lewy

Yes, yes I do