jordbaer in valdall?

hi folks... just made it to the next kayaking festival. i'm not sure what to call it, i've heard 'trash camp' used, but most people just call it the place with the strawberries. regardless, i'm pretty sure it's going to be a wicked fun time. on Sunday, the event program reads 8-9am: Walk of Shame. haaahaha funny norsk.

up until now we've been hanging out in Sjoa. i got to watch the Nordic Freestlye Championships, which was entirely inspiring for a playboat-trainwreck like moi. it was the first event I've ever been to where there were more women than men competing. flower power! or something?

last night we stayed over in Skjaak last night and i got to paddle with some Germans this morning on the Ostri Gorge. somebody turned the juice on for sure, because we finished the run just as the shuttle came into park. 13 minutes maybe?

it had a big water feel to it... and today i had a mini-revelation that paddling big water successfully is exactly like walking a slackline. i can't walk a slackline to save my life (but i've been trying this week), and i'd peg my big water skills at a healthy 'mediocre' plus.

the secret to slackline, according to Anders, is to look ahead of you. in big water, it's so easy to become preoccupied with your immediate obstacles... but you really need to be looking ahead for the next big eat-you-alive hole (or other obstacle) before you come up on it and it's too late to correct... the infamous 'bitch-slap' ensues.

today was about as straight-forward as read-and-rally big water can get... but we were in a gorge, with only a few eddies, and i found myself stressing about what i was currently careening over instead of what was about to knock my socks off 10 meters ahead. regardless, it was a good refresher, i haven't been on any big water for awhile... mm mmm good!

alright, this is probably the last post for awhile... i'm off to sleep at trash camp. eating strawberries tomorrow. maybe some kayaking or something. only time will tell.