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| I went my way. |
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This is a very rare picture of what a tidal creek looks like in the marshes at low tide. When at high tide, it is easily paddled but once the low tide draws the water out, all that is left is the mud. You can't walk in it as you will sink to your waist or even deeper. Some have lost their lives this way. Why am I here? This is how. I went my way.
On my way to launch, I was excited about my trip. Been thinking about it all day and felt the leading of what to shoot and write about later that night. After making my way into the open water, I saw the sand bar that is uncovered at the onset of the low tide. Then I remembered the tidal creek and 'Jack's Cut' and how the last time I went through there, the Coast Guard pick my buddy and me up.
It was in the fall of 2004 and we had done everything paddlers were not supposed to do. We had no food or water, no proper clothing for the conditions, notified no one about our trip plans, and gathered no information about the conditions that day. Little did we know there would be a new moon and small craft advisories that evening.
Going through the cut was fine but somebody had the bright idea to go down to the mouth of the river and paddle back on the ocean side. Ever have your heart melt upon seeing an impossible task? Before we even got near the break water, we could hear the roar of the sea and it was deafening! I pulled up on the back side of the dune and told my buddy we need to look at what the ocean was up to because it was awfully loud. What I saw made my knees weak.
There was no way to go through those breakers. Waves 6 to 7 feet were pounding the beach and only the most advanced kayaker could stand a chance at that. We weren't even close. Just beginners and I was the only one who had even taken a safety course and a guided tour. Common sense to stay alive said to turn around so we headed back.
At high tide, every opening looks like a cut until you get to the end and run into the marsh. Then, it's back paddling until you can turn around and try another. We made several attempts but couldn't find the right cut before total darkness enveloped us. It was so dark, as the new moon was completely covered, we couldn't even see the marsh! Until the grassy marsh started hitting our face, we didn't know how close the bank was.
Eventually, the Coast Guard picked us up and having to leave my boats behind made me feel like a total failure. I let down my friend, worried his wife, the pastor, and even the prayer chain was activated for our rescue. It was 'Jacks' fault. He tricked me into thinking I was capable to lead my own tour and show what I know and how skilled I was at this kayaking. Yeah, he did it.
All of those memories came back and as I raced to get away from the sand bar, I wanted to beat 'Jack'. Since it was going to be low tide soon, I reasoned that I would easily find my way back as there wouldn't be any imposter's! After heading to the entrance, I saw a guided tour being led out and it never occurred to me as to why they were leaving at this particular time. So onward I go confidently!
"Sure is getting shallow and narrow but I'll be through in just a little bit" I thought. Never thinking I would run out of water. Then, there it was again, a sight that made my knees weak. The water so low I couldn't get through. It still had at least two hours before low tide and I knew I had to somehow turn around. After falling and sinking past my knees a few times, I turned my kayak around (my boat was wider than the creek at that point). As I attempted to paddle back, the mud finally got it's trophy.
I just sat there wondering, "what happened?" As you see in the picture, the outlook wasn't good. Darkness was coming soon and the tide wouldn't start filling the creek for at least 3 more hours. How did I get here? I kept thinking and praying. My heart was so heavy because I knew this wasn't the witness the Holy Spirit wanted me to give. Instead, I'm stranded by not using the wisdom He promised. I worried how this wasn't bringing glory to God. How can He be pleased when I confess to doing His will, then promply get into a life or death situation by plain stupidity? I had been here before and hadn't learned a thing. "Help me Lord" seemed to be unworthy for me to say. Still, I was sorry and only wished I could get another chance.
After a few moments, I felt the sense to lay down along my boat and sink my hands into the muck and pull my boat through the mud. I kept thinking how far it was back to the river, over a mile maybe two. How can I do this? I have a bad shoulder from being injured in the service and had gotten a medical discharge for it. It is still separated and hurts quite often, but what are my choices? I remembered that a lot of creatures hunt at night and the urgency to get out started pressing on my spirit instead of just waiting for the tide to come in. Dying was not in my head, but I learned it has happened to others like this so I started pulling.
Through the bends, I was hoping to see the river every time, but finding another stretch of mud sapped my energy. I laid there on my boat, face down in mud praying,"Give me strength, Lord, please. In Jesus' name." After a few minutes, I was pulling again until something brought me to a sudden stop. I've heard that scraping sound before...oyster beds!
Those are as sharp as razors and the only way to get over was to hop out and pull my boat. "That's gonna hurt tomorrow!" I fell on the bed and both legs instantly had red streaks covering them, evidence that they are as sharp as advertised. As I pulled the kayak and walked through the oyster bed, it was now past sunset. "How many hours has it been", I wondered. At least 2 and low tide is still an hour away.
"Whoa, that was deep!" Just as soon as I ran out of the oyster bed, the mud tried to claim another trophy, me! I had sunk up to my waist in one step! Holding on to my boat was another instinct I was so glad I listened to. I can't see at all now, just the outline of the glow of Tybee Island.
The creek started to get wider and my pulling became easier. Soon it was deep enough to paddle. After 4 oyster beds, I was not hopeful I could stay in my boat. Surely I will have to fall out again, probably around this next bend. But then I heard something. What's that noise? Could it be my friend, the Atlantic? No moon again, but the stars reveled the opening I had given up on seeing until the next day. The exhaustion I was holding in came flooding out as I paddled to the beach head on Little Tybee. Everything hurt. The warmth was gone with the sun, too. But I was thankful. I'm alive. Just a little paddle across the back river and I'm headed home. That mile was almost like two as the final stages of the low tide and the river current wanted to push me out to sea.
I was thinking about what a waste the day was until it hit me. I didn't follow what the Spirit had been leading me to do all morning. I had a great plan to paddle around to the Tybee Lighthouse, take some awesome pics and tell of who lights our way and how we should be a light, too. Instead, I went my way.
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| To add a comment to "I went my way." |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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gee Mule, that is some crazy adventure you were on, but yes, we need to light the way, thank the Lord for your rescue |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| Close one, Juanita. I know when Jesus intercedes on my behalf, God says,"Him again?!" |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| Yes, Marcella. This was Saturday. I am so sore, I could barely move yesterday, or today. I agree with you, I don't need this either! Thanks. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| Oh wait, the adventure with my friend happened in 2004. That's when the Coast Guard picked us up. This time I didn't even have cell coverage...all alone. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| That is exactly what I did. I pulled my kayak through that for over a mile. By laying longways, it got the weight evenly distributed and I wasn't sitting as low in the water (what little there was). Wasn't something I knew, it was just an idea that came to me as I sat wondering,"what now?" |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| Think of surfer's paddling their surfboards...that's what I did. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
Wow, graphic illustration and great metaphor, what can happen when we are determined to go our own way. Great blog, Mule. (Sorry it came at such a price!) |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| Getting to live another day.....priceless! You can put whatever you want in front of that, amen? Thanks, Mike. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
Your no worse for the wear. You won this round through your determination and trust in God's helping hands. You didn't give up. You pressed on not knowing the outcome with many variables that could of taken place. That is how we are to be. Always moving forward without fear of the unknown through God's strength. P.s. one word. "Garmin" |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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I had no idea you are so... adventurly. How many times God gives us strength, when we don't think we can take another step. Amen..
It is a good thing that God looks after you, Mule, and it is REALLY good that you depend on Him.
You poor little legs.... you need them to be all medicined up. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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Wow God surely had you covered that day Mr Mule.
Puting all those suggestions into practice payed off.
The still small voice did the leading Mr Mule did the following lol |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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Came out pretty good, just some scatches on my legs and some sore muscles I didn't know I had. I knew where I was, just didn't know where the water was!!! Thanks Jewlz.
Liz, there was one still small voice comment who said to go to the Lighthouse, that's the one I should've listened to first...:o)
God has to look after me, Joey. I don't seem to do a good job, you know? |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| guess it's these type of things that help us learn so that now you'll remember to follow HIM next time |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| Yes I will, word! Yes I will! I found out from one of the owners of Sea Kayak Georgia, I was 'lucky'. Some have sunk into the mud and being stuck so far down, they couldn't get up and when the tide came in, well....you get the picture. No, I will not provide that one!! |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
I had to re-read this one. So the first adventure was in 2004? And the recent one was just this past Saturday? We're glad you're back home, safe and sound, even if you're sore.
Yep. We too often try to go our own way, not following our "still small voice." Live and learn, right? :-) |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| The Coast Guard rescue was 2004. This episode getting stuck was this past Saturday, which actually was far worse. We live and learn....sometimes. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
Wow |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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"We live and learn..sometimes" too true. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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Thanks, Megan. And 'sometimes' is sometimes not enough for me...:o)
God (to Jesus): Him again??
Jesus: Yes Father, I Did say I'd never leave him.
God: Son, about all these promises...(saves me, shrugs shoulders)
Jesus: Shrugs shoulders. |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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Me: Thank you Lord! Snoopy dog dance....testifies!!
God and Jesus: Smiling :o) |
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| November 09, 2009 |
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| Thanks Maureen. I edited the blog to make it a bit clearer. It was a bit foggy on what happened when, so I hope it's clearer now. |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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Oh my goodness, Mule!!! I'm so thankful for your wisdom to call out to God for renewing your strength and endurance! God to Jesus: "Son, this man is stubborn; he's the stuff good disciples are made of!" You, "Mule", the disciple who kayaks his way through life and tells of the many adventures God has saving you! ;o) I'm so thankful that you are OKAY!!! Please, no more adventures like this one!!! Take that one the Holy Spirit suggested next time, eh?
LoveLeigh |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| That is so sweet, even loveLeigh! You know, when you got nothing left, you still have Jesus, Amen? Yeah....:o) |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| AMEN, Mule!!! LoveLeigh ;o) |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| Really big, huge G-R-I-N....:o) |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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OMGosh, bro. Wow. I can actually almost imagine how exhausting and freaky that would have been. and yes, I know all about oysters and how sharp they can be. God wasn't through with you, yet. Unfortunately I learn many a lesson the hard way too, but God's still good and if He ain't through with us, we'll come through. Glad you came through. |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| Thanks Lara. On one of my comments I included 4 links to some more pictures. One of the owners of Sea Kayak, Ga. said they had never seen anything like that themselves (they were careful enough to get out before that happened to them) but knew that's how most deaths occur in the marshes. I'm too stubborn to die I guess. I did get some awesome pics, though. especially last week, too. |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| Well, hey, it's nice to look at the bright side that you got some good pics. Sounds like something I'd say. lol |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| If you look on fb, you'll see all of my pic's I took on the mobile uploads. You can also see my house that I lost, and then got back 6 months later 30 grand less than what we owed!! How about them apples? |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| Apples? I'm from the Valley famous for such. lol |
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| November 10, 2009 |
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| How did I know you'd like 'dem apples? In fact, grow them suckers...lol! Hopefully you'll like them pictures, too. Some could be poster material! |
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| November 11, 2009 |
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| Cool! My kid loves apples too. :D |
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| November 13, 2009 |
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Praise the Lord Brother. I finally got to read this. I thank God your alright.
Great testimony. What an adventure. Are you feeling better?
Your a brave one alright. Gods warrior, no matter what.
Lots of Love, Sis.
I'm Glad Psalms 145 lined up with your experience!
Like I've said before, How cool is our God?
Way Cool, Amen! |
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| November 13, 2009 |
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| November 14, 2009 |
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I still have some cuts and scrapes (just think of a mound of discarded old razor blades piled up in water) from the oyster beds I walked through but I'm okay. The bruises are going away and my shoulders are not hurting anymore. Makes me want to be a kayak instructor. Really. Thanks Sis! He Is way cool!
Thanks Larry. Me thinks mafia wars is safer than me water sports, huh? |
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| November 14, 2009 |
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Good to hear you doing better. Ouch!
It just goes to show you, we can really get ourselfs
in trouble when we don't listen to that still small voice.
So we get muddied up, torn up, bruised and almost dead!
But before you know it....here comes our night in Shining armor
to rescue us. Our valiant King. O what a story you just wrote!
Classic, simply classic! This is gonna stay with me. I can feel it.
After what you've been through..... you should go for it! |
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| November 15, 2009 |
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You really know exactly how to put it, Sis: "we get muddied up, torn up, brusied and almost dead! I really struggled to make it but felt confident my 'time' wasn't up. God has got something very special for me to do and I know I haven't done it yet. Besides, what would become of the world without a 'mule' in it?
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| November 15, 2009 |
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Amen Mule, Amen!
I want to hear of how you utilize your God given gifts,
to bring Him the glory.
Go in peace Brother. |
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