The good news is that you are alive and here to remind others what can happen. I'm in east Tennessee and live above a river. I was tempted to take my kayaks out since today is the first day it's hit 60's in nearly a month. The lake only thawed out 3 days or so ago amid another snowstorm. As tempted as I was to take out the kayaks I realize that I don't have any good coldwater gear. The air might be in the 60's but that water was barely above 30 and the bulk of where I'd be paddling has no signs of civilization. If I was paddling alone and something caused me to flip... Yeah, not worth it.

Glad you made it out okay and thanks for the reminder about the right gear.