After stumbling through Friday like a stress-filled zombie, I got a reprieve when my deadline was pushed back and my boss sent me home early for a much needed break. Stepping out of the office into the warm bright sunshine it was time to begin a weekend full of kayaking bliss.

I dumped my kayak into the South River and paddled away for several hours. Not heading anywhere in particular, the stress was just melting away with each stroke of my paddle. While paddling up a marshy creek, I saw a majestic white swan up ahead tracking back and forth across the creek. Yes, the weekend was starting off great!

Saturday, Christy and I met up to do some yakkin' on Rock Creek in Pasadena, MD. It was a leisurely paddle into some quiet little coves with lots of wildlife. In Tar Cove, Christy spotted a large snapping turtle that I almost passed by for a floating log. The shell was probably a foot long and the head stuck out another 8" - 10". Unfortunately, it dove out of sight before Christy could snap a picture. We lingered quietly, hoping to catch another glimpse and although he poked his head up a couple of times, we didn't get another good look at him.

Sunday, it was time to tackle a 6 mile round trip kayak on Beards Creek off the South River. It's a fabulous paddle that offers waterfront homes to drool over, serene marshes and plenty of wildlife. A meandering watery path at the head of the creek went on and on and on... we paddled as far as we could go, watching red-winged blackbirds fluttering about and performing amazing feats of balancing to perch on the slender grasses and reeds. After lingering as long as possible in the shallow marshes hoping to spy another turtle, it was an energetic paddle back out to the South River.

Before I knew it, Monday morning was upon me. But after a sunny weekend spent out on the water, I was mentally refreshed and ready to take on the challenges of another work week.

- Jen.