I haven't taken much time to comment. However in the notes from Norm's trip today he mentions how he is pulled into the water. I and most of the group of paddlers that I have paddled with have experienced this. In my experience in Lake Superior I have found this paradox especially enticing. When paddling in the insulator-green-glassy waters in this great lake, I have found myself pulled by the clarity of the water. When wearing your life saving equipment such as a wet suit, boots, dry top, life jacket and paddling in extremely clear waters, on hot summer days, your mind, while focused on the task at hand, tends to drift into those hot summer days a kid that found you jumping off bridges, swinging from ropes into lakes and streams, and enjoying all the benefits of water play. All the time while paddling in this clear water, you find thoughts coming into your mind telling you that you can take a dip, or in the kayak like a little devil on your shoulder saying, take a dip, jump in, go ahead it's okay.

One time while paddling around Rocky Island in the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin, I had spent the better part of the sunny 85 degree day tormented by the very same voices that I refer too. I decided at the end of our circum-navigation of this island, that I would actually roll my boat into hte waters of Lake Superior, thereby giving into these "voices of temptation". As soon as I hit the water with my roll, a force many times greater than and tiny ice cream headache I have ever experienced, started from the center of my body and raced out to the extremities of my body. Quickly this was followed by a rush of blood away from these same extremities, causing be to almost immediately black out. I happened to have a watch that could tell water temperature. This temp came back as 37 degrees. I soon learned the meaning of what I have been told over and over that Lake Superior could kill you in 15 minutes if left unprotected from this cold body of water. I have now learn "fear" and "respect" for the great lakes that we have in our country.

I suspect that Norm is experiencing this same type of "sirens song" in his head as he paddles. I hope this help describe what Norm may be feeling when he speaks of the dangers of clear waters.