Water: melted snow.

In Utah there isn't much opportunity to be around water. There are plenty of rivers and a dam or two, and even the Great Salt Lake, but there aren't a lot of people who have boats or spend too much time 'on the water'.

Here however, nearly everyone goes to the beach, knows someone who owns a boat or does something on the river/ocean/bay. It's a nice change and a different type of lifestyle. Not that it's better (you are hard pressed to find a horse around here to ride!!!) just different.

When I moved to D.C., low many years ago, I was sad about being so far away from the mountains. I missed them. I wanted to find something that I couldn't do in Utah to make me appreciate how great DC is, just in a different way.

So, I learned how to scull. They teach classes down at the Thompson Boat Center(part of the National Park Service).

Honestly, it was a little unnerving to learn. You don't wear a life jacket - it would inhibit the movement of your arms. You pretty much sit in a little tiny boat the width of your arse and the way you balance is keeping your body and head centered and keeping the long oars on either side of you in the water. (And the oars come out of the water with every stroke, so there's that.)

There are different size shells (boats). They differ in width, length and weight. You start in a big yellow shell and feel kind of like a rubber ducky. The better you get the smaller the width and the longer the boat.

I took the beginning course and the intermediate and then advance course...and didn't fall in (except the once and it wasn't my fault). This means I can go down to the boat house and rent a shell and scull up the Potomac whenever I want. It's awesome to be alone on the water, and great exercise. I don't go as often as I should and/or would like.

To celebrate my new found obsession I went to Rubini Jewelers and bought myself a tiny silver oar bracelet. I've worn it pretty much every day since.
Well, it broke the other day.

Boo.

I took a drive down the GW Parkway to Old Town to Rubini and asked them how much it would cost to have it repaired. She looked at me kind of funny, asked me if I could wait 10 minutes, went in the back, and reappeared 10 minutes later and handed me my bracelet put back together and shining like new. She said there was no charge, but I felt like I needed to contribute something to their tiny little shop. So, I bought a tiny little silver anklet... you know, just to support their business. I figure it was the least I could do. ;) I love the folks at Rubini. They run a great shop.

Now, I just need a nice day with no wind to get out on the water.

And now, a helpful technique video. A little long, but if you are a sculler, it's pretty helpful.