Luxe Beat Magazine Special Edition Put a Pin in It! | Page 50

M

y goal was not to fall in -especially so close to the
dock where a group of
curious onlookers
attentively watched my
stand-up paddle-boarding attempts
on the lake at Red Canyon Lodge.
It was a make-or-break moment as
I rose up from my knees, first to an
awkward squatting position and
then slowly to full extension. I was
shaking as I stood on the board,
legs quivering like jelly and hands
clenched in white knuckle fashion
around the paddle. Then I began to
move, trying to remember to retain a
slight bend in my knees, to keep eyes
focused ahead and alternate paddle
strokes from side to side. It was
slow going initially, as I didn’t trust
my balance nor the board’s stability,
and I felt like a frozen statue. But
gradually I started to loosen up as

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I gained confidence in my skills.
Though I never quite reached that
Zen moment of becoming one with
my paddle, I did, however, feel proud
of my accomplishments and excited
to learn a fun, new sport.
Stand-up paddleboarding is just
one of dozens of activities visitors
can experience while exploring
Sweetwater County, Wyoming. To
many, this area is relatively unknown
in comparison to the state’s more
popular destinations of Yellowstone
and the Tetons. What people don’t
realize, however, is that this hidden
gem is an all-ages adventure
playground, ripe for discovery.
Located in the southwestern corner
of Wyoming, Sweetwater County is
ideally situated for those heading to
the famed national parks. It makes a
perfect stopover, but once you realize