LOCALadk Magazine

Good Reads | LOCALadk LOCALadk Magazine Spring 2014 55 Women on Water While teaching a kayak lesson on Nick's Lake in Old Forge two summers ago, I watched a whole group of happy and excited women collectively carry their boats across the beach to the water's edge. There was a lot of chatter and laughter as this group readied their kayaks and paddled off. I, being a woman and a paddler, wanted to know their stories: who they were, where they were from, and did they paddle together often? Anne Brewer Co-author Carol Moseman writes: It all started on a rainy Thursday. Actually, it started several years earlier on a paddle of North Lake. Four of us had been kayaking partners, and, as time went on, we decided to create a more organized group. We planned to meet every Thursday during summer vacation. Over a glass of wine, we scheduled our initial year of various kayaking put-ins throughout the Adirondacks. Fast forward to that rainy Thursday. Although we kayaked in all sorts of weather, that specific day was a wash out. What should we do? "Let's write a book!" We already had the title from that day on North Lake when one paddler exclaimed, "Wow! This is a great day!" Thus, Women on Water (WOW) was born. We decided that the original four of us would write several chapters describing different paddling excursions in the Adirondacks and submit the manuscript to North Country Books (Utica NY). Long story short… the book was published in 2012 and won Best Nonfiction Book of 2012 from the Adirondack Writers Council. Women on Water is not the usual guidebook of paddling the Adirondacks. More like a memoir, each chapter describes a different lake, river, or stream, and our experiences during that paddle. Forging beaver dams, seeing the beauty of the Adirondacks, and enjoying the company of anywhere from five to over thirty women is our focus. Each chapter contains directions and a map to the put-in, a description of that day's kayak, photographs, and nuggets of valuable information (mainly where to find ice cream at the end of the day). There are no rules for this group (only - no men allowed!). A beginner? No problem. We all have extra kayaks and will help you paddle into another world that many people never see. Think you are too old? Never! One WOW author just completed her 46h peak at age 75. Think you are too out of shape? We don't care. We would love the company on the water – kayaking, laughing, and loving life. Come join us! Women on Water is written by Ruth Dandrea, Kathy DeLong, Carol Moseman and Bonnie Sanderson. It is available through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and bookstores throughout the Adirondacks. LOCALadk recommends this book for any paddler looking for some new ideas of where to explore on your next paddling adventure.,

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