Hey! It’s me, Lynn (aka Low Carb Traveler) and I want to take you on a fun photo tour of my first kayaking trip, my crazy rock climbing adventures, and my FACEPLANT off the bluff – lol. 🙂 What a fun day on the river!
Joe invited me out for a nice “river float” in the kayaks. It was a hot sunny day, and perfect for a float down Barren Fork.
It turned into a seriously fun adventure instead, though! 🙂
It’s really nice to have an “adventure buddy” that is as enthusiastic as I am. We’re both spontaneous, minimalist, and just go with the flow.
I love that we are both really into the fitness aspect of our outdoor adventures, but also just take the time to ENJOY them as well. It’s a fun balance. We run, we rest, we appreciate and enjoy nature, we push ourselves – it’s awesome!
Yesterday’s outdoor adventure was all about the upper body workout.
I’ve really been working on my lower body a lot lately, but I’ve been looking for something FUN to do for core and upper body toning. Something besides weights and gyms and boring workouts. 😛 Kayaking was perfect!
Here I am, totally unsure if I’m going to be able to do this… if I’m going to flip it… if I’m going to lose my phone at the bottom of the river today… lol.
Here’s Joe – my adventure buddy. 🙂 He’s fun, patient and he knows all the cool spots in Middle Tennessee to explore and get into all kinds of trouble fun. 🙂
It took me a bit to get a feel for the kayak and feel comfortable with the balance and such. But once I got going I discovered it’s a GREAT upper body workout! Not only is it great for the arms and shoulders, but also the core.
I absolutely loved it!
Joe brought me a waterproof cell phone case to use too, which totally made my day. 🙂 I looked them up earlier and found some nice ones – this one even floats: Floating Waterproof Cell Phone Case Pouch. I’m getting that one!
We floated and had fun, we paddled hard, and basically just took the day as it came. The sun was HOT and the water was perfect. And then…
We came around the bend and saw a rock cliff and a rope swing. 🙂 This is where things took a REALLY fun turn! I was feeling a little sunkissed and adventurous, and decided to climb out of my kayak (without tipping it!) and up the side of the bluff…
This was every bit as difficult and dangerous as it looked going in, lol. There were loose rocks, briars, slick spots, poison ivy/oak, it was straight UP, and of course spiders and snakes (that I did not see, thank goodness!). One slip could’ve ended badly. 😛 I think the sight of a snake might have thrown me, haha.
I made it though. 🙂
And it felt like a serious achievement!
(Joe kept reminding me how much you would all miss me if I fell to my death. LOL, I was cautious – I promise!)
I was climbing up to get to this rope swing. 🙂
That did NOT GO WELL. At all. 😐 hahahaha Watch this:
(warning: turn off audio if you have children in the room!!!!)
(lol at Joe’s response, haha – poor guy!!)
No worries. 😉 I survived, laughed it off, and was having a blast!!
I decided to go again. I mean… I had to try it again – right? No way that could be left undone. And so I climbed back up (another way) and did it RIGHT:
Just downriver from the tree swing was a nice rock bluff. We decided to climb it and dive off. 🙂 Again, snakes and spiders and serious injury aside 😯 Ack!
This was a lot harder than it looked in that last picture. 😛 You really had to hug the bluff and watch your footing, and it took A LOT of upper body strength (which I do not have, lol) to pull yourself up step after step…
I did it though. 🙂
There I am feeling quite proud of myself again, haha.
And then I dove off…
I had such a FUN day on the river, kayaking and rock climbing and rope swinging. 🙂 And I got in a serious workout too! I’m definitely sunburned and feeling some muscle soreness today… so awesome!
I hope you enjoyed playing at the river with me!
I’m SERIOUS about getting in shape this year, and nothing is more FUN than adventuring outdoors! I admit I’m getting a little courageous with our adventures lately, but it’s so much FUN. I would never do any of these things alone of course. It’s great to have a fun partner to spot you. 😉
What’s one of your favorite outdoor spots to get in a good workout and have an awesome time during the hot months, or what’s on your wish list this year??
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. If you have fun outdoor adventures that involve water, rivers, rain and thunderstorms, dirt, mud etc (lol) – be sure to grab a Floating Waterproof Cell Phone Case Pouch for yourself too! 😉
WOW…you really are a dare-devil! And, DOUBLE WOW…you look fabulous! I’m very happy for you, Lynn.
Thank you Cindi!! And lol – I’m really feeling courageous lately. 🙂 haha. But I’m having SO much fun!!
too funny- i went kayaking today myself but we went on a fast creek in kentucky. pretty but not as beautiful as your river( must tell me where it is). i however didnt have a waterprooff pouch and flipped and waterlogged phone and camera. but i saw your link and just bought the same pouch!!! thank you for everything.
Oh no! 😯 I hate you lost your phone!! I was SO afraid that was going to happen to me the whole time. 😛 I love that waterproof pouch I found on Amazon. I’m getting one too, because not only does it FLOAT (yes!) but it’s also glow in the dark. 🙂 Perfect for one of our upcoming adventures which includes an amazing waterfall at the back of a pitch black cave. 🙂
It was Barren Fork River in McMinnville, TN by the way. Just a nice little lazy river (the section we were on) for my first time. It winds through downtown McMinnville, which is the town where I’m based.
I’m excited about getting better at kayaking and doing more adventurous runs! Enjoy the pouch – you’re most welcome – I’m so glad I found one for the summer too. 🙂 *cheers*
You are a crazy women, but that was awesome. I smiled all the way though it. Thanks for that.
LOL Sandra – poor Joe, I scare him to death! 😛 haha I have zero “adventure experience” really, so I’m just winging it… but he spots me well and gets a good laugh out of it all. 🙂
I’m just loving the exercise, the range of muscles I’m working lately, and how GREAT that feels!!
Keep up the good work. I really enjoy reading your carb management everyday. I have to find some will power to start and follow though with the diet. I have the ab carver and that is a good way to begin. I do like to exercise, which is a good thing because I like to eat.
Thank you – I’m so glad you enjoy it. 🙂 I love the Ab Carber. Such a great workout and it doesn’t take much time at all!
I have never lost weight through exercise alone though. I was in the gym 3 years ago and I tested it both ways. All three ways I guess: exercise alone, exercise and low carb, low carb only (no exercise). I lost weight the same with and without exercise as long as I ate low carb. Nothing otherwise. But I’m exercising now to TONE. 🙂
Wow! That looked like fun! You are much braver than me. Lol
Joe is right! We WOULD really miss you…….be careful. Please. 🙂
You must be in great shape to do that. You look very lean and tan. You are my inspiration. If i was 145 again I’d be ecstatic…..i am working at it….:)
Ps You and Joe are both spontaneous and
like adventure. I have to wonder what sun sign he is. I bet he is Sagitarius or Leo or he may be a Gemini like us. I rhink it’s great that you found each other. 🙂
Btw. Cool phone case. I need one too. 🙂
lol – you are GOOD. He’s a Sagittarius. 🙂
I wish I had already ordered this phone case for my beach trip this weekend, but I’m definitely grabbing one. Perfect for the summer!
I do feel like I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been – as an adult, I mean. It’s all the walking and hiking lately, it’s really starting to make a difference! I would have NEVER thought – in a million years – I could climb like that, lol.
A Sagitarrius and and Gemini is a great match
i had a BF….that was Sagitarrius. He was like Joe….he like to do spontaneous things like that. Two Geminis can get along pretty well too but it can be rough with four people in a relationship. ( two sets of twins) lol. 🙂
LOL!!! That is so true, and too funny 🙂 🙂 He is a lot of fun. A Sagittarius is a first for me, btw!
My Sag. Bf had a wicked sense of humor, he could always make me laugh
i think humor is important in our lives. It can get us through the tough times. I really miss my friend. He was so much fun. He lives in California and me in STL. That was the problem for us. 🙁
Distance is hard. Missing is hard too. It’s actually nice for me to find someone local to hang out with for a change. This is a VERY small town, lol.
My friends are spread out all over the world, which is why I do so much traveling. I’m looking forward to seeing a couple of girl friends on my trip this weekend!
Lynn, I live in Foley, Alabama. Do you have anything scheduled for meeting up in my area or anywhere in the Florida panhandle anytime soon? I would love to meet you for lunch if you come to my area. I wasn’t able to attend the last time you were in the panhandle.
Hi Donna 🙂
I’m going to be at Okaloosa Island this weekend for a business meetup on Saturday, but I’m taking my daughter and her friend with me this time. We won’t be in long at all – just all day Saturday. We’ll get in late Friday and leave out by lunch on Sunday. Short trip. 😛
I go every year, and usually host a low carb get together, but I’m not sure when I’ll have free time this trip since I have the girls and it’s such a short stay…
You’re looking great and looks like having fun. Love the posts, keep up the great work.
Thank you, Karen! 🙂 🙂 *cheers*
Luv the laugh…. he does once you’ve jumped 😉
lol Jofoto – I love his laugh too 🙂 🙂
My husband and I used to go kayaking when we were dating and after we were married, before kids, LOL. You are so right about how hard they are to balance if you’ve never done it before.
You look amazing and you look happy! Good for you. So glad you found a photographer, I mean adventure buddy, 😉 to join you on all your adventures. This is one of my favorite blogs!
Thank you, Mary! 🙂 🙂
It was a lot of fun once I got the hang of it. I can’t wait to go back. Hopefully next week – as it’s such great core & arm exercise!! Plus tons of fun. 🙂
Loved the video!!
You looked as if you guys were having a BLAST in the river. I am not as courageous as you I’m afraid but looked like a lot of fun.
It WAS fun, Michelle 🙂 I was never this courageous before either, lol. I would consider myself more on the meek and cautious side… until more recently. It’s fun coming out of my shell and exploring a bit now that I have the kids raised. 🙂
Where did y’all put your kayaks in the river? Where is the rope swing on Barren Forks River? I would like to try that workout.