Northern Exposure

A few weeks ago Matt and I went to visit my brother and his wife up in Bayfield, Wisconsin. My brother actually lives on Little Sand Bay, which is the furthermost northern point of the state of Wisconsin, and the gateway to the Apostle Islands. Needless to say, it is incredibly beautiful.

Here are a few pictures, including my first attempt to paddle a real kayak; they are much tippier than canoes so I was glad the water was completely calm. Despite that, it was also the first time in my life I second guessed myself whether or not I should go out on Lake Superior. I realized it's not just about what I want anymore - I had Baby Moo to think about it.

So I thought about it.




And then I went. But stayed within 150 yards of the shore, in case I happened to tip over and had to swim for shore. I knew it would be difficult if not impossible for me to get back in the kayak if I tipped out. And in that water it only takes about 20 minutes for hypothermia to set in.

But I had to decide then how I was going to live the rest of my life. I've never been too afraid to try things that many people would think as dangerous, and it made me wonder what kind of parent I wanted/needed to be. I don't want to be the type of person to be afraid of everything, even though there are a lot of things to be afraid of. It's hard to know where to draw the line. If baby girl wants to go skydiving when she's older I have decided I will take her myself. On her eighteenth birthday, of course.

So many things to think about. And this is a pretty good place to think those deep thoughts.