Karson Wilkerson, 10 of Bethany, spends time kayaking with his mentor, Billy Swindell, at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Thursday, July 28, 2011. Wilkerson and Swindell have been together in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for more than a year. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman

I should first point out that I am an unpaid intern, but the headline stands; being a journalist allows you to go on some pretty cool adventures.

When I received my assignment Thursday to photograph children and mentors of Big Brothers Big Sisters kayaking, I expected to show up and photograph them getting into their boats and rowing off into the sunset.

Thankfully, this was not the case.

Dave Lindo of OKC Kayak was nice enough to offer to have one of his volunteers, Sharon, escort me around Lake Hefner to get a closer look at the action.

Kayak guide Sharon and I on our Lake Hefner cruise.

View from the passenger's seat.

I’ve done a lot of cool stuff in the last eight weeks, but riding in a kayak for the first time has all that other stuff beat.

Some of the guys on the beach threatened to pull my “man card” for not getting out and helping Sharon pull the boat back on shore, but I like my shoes and expensive camera too much to have any sort of pride in that situation.

Now that I have kayaking behind me, I’m hoping maybe horseback riding is next.

David Curtis, 8 of Oklahoma City, laughs as he paddles in his kayak at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Thursday, July 28, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman

Read about how Big Brothers Big Sisters lost federal funding here.

To see more photos, click here to see the gallery.

-Garett Fisbeck

If you missed Sherree’s set then it looks like you’ll have to wait a while before any shows, but her Static episode is worth checking out.

The above shots are of the spin art station.

ALSO, I would like to declare the Paseo District the people watching capitol of Oklahoma.