I had the opportunity to meet Dana Decker a couple of weeks ago at a gathering on the St Marys River (the FL/GA Border in this area). While discussing all of the great info and sharp people on this list, Dana recommended I quit lurking and let folks know I'm here. This is a start. So, blame Dana. I get PaddleWise and all other lists I subscribe to in the Digest format. That makes it cumbersome to respond BUT it stops kneejerk reaction to something said that I may not agree with, it allows me to see what others have to say on a topic, and it keeps me from looking too dumb. This comment isn't aimed at anyone in particular, but this method could limit the stone-throwing and subsequent apologies which sometimes occur on this, and all, discussion lists. So, I'll answer a survey question: > > Here's a couple of questions for Paddlewise members: > > 1. How many of your kayaks came with an owner's manual? > (snip) > Chuck Holst > My wife and I have been paddling since last November and we always paddle together. We have Wilderness Systems "Manteo" light-touring roto kayaks, which are great beginners boats with enough volume for weekend packing. They are perfect for our skill level and for the waters we paddle: The St Marys, Santa Fe, & Suwannee Rivers and local lakes. Our boats came with manuals and I'm ready to bet it's the same generic Wilderness Systems manual that came with the Sealution. It's only 15 pages and covers bare basics, but is helpful to rookies. The manual isn't designed to do much more than get you on the water, keep you from damaging your boat, and remind you there are safety factors to consider. I think perhaps that's all it should do. Once I became smart enough to figure out what I didn't know, I was also smart enough to look here and to find other books. (That just answered several survey questions). > > From: "Sisler, Clyde" <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com> > Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] dehydrating food for long trips (snip) > I've been looking for a method of sun drying fish while on a > trip so you could catch a fish one day and have some of it on the second > or third days. (snip) > I lived in Central America for about 7 years and it wasn't uncommon to see for sale: fish hanging on trees; shrimp lying on newspaper; and shelled oysters in a jar. All in the sun and sometimes far inland. It wasn't very appetizing and I was never tempted. I'm not tempted now. And yes, THE LIZARD THAT WALKS ON WATER is real. > > From: outdoors_at_biddeford.com > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] FW: The Basic Stuff/First (snip) > The best way to prevent those possible broken bones is to not attempt the activities that could cause them. > What do you think? > Bill Ridlon > Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network > From the first time we wet our paddles we have operated on Dirty Harry's "A Man's Gotta Know His Limitations" theory. If for any reason one of us feels at unusual risk in a situation we get out of that situation as quickly and safely as possible without question and certainly without goading. We know that accidents will occur (caca pasa), but we don't set ourselves up for them. Certainly our risk threshold has gone up as our experience and skills have improved, but having this attitude has kept us alive and well over the years, and we don't think we've missed too many adventures. I've never been too sure why that seems to be a foreign concept to some folks. A final note: I have been impressed with the intelligence, humor, and technical knowledge found in the people who contribute here. PaddleWise (and WaveLength) have been as much a part of our kayaking enjoyment as being on the water. I feel as if I know most of you. I won't respond to every message, and probably won't do this very often unless I can specifically contribute on a topic. But we are here and learning from you everyday. Thanks. Okay, Dana. I'm "outed" Kurt Wisner Lake City, FL *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:15 PM 4/18/98 -0400, Kurt Wisner of Lake City, FL wrote: >While >discussing all of the great info and sharp people on this list, Dana >recommended I quit lurking and let folks know I'm here. This is a start. Kurt, Welcome to the contributing Paddlewisers/Paddlewisettes/Paddlewiseacs. It's a little scary at first but becomes less so as you get more experience. I had an opportunity to be in Tampa, Florida a week or so back and though I didn't have time to paddle, I got my first look at a pelican. What a neat bird! I would have liked to have taken one or two back to Maine but they probably wouldn't have liked the winter. That's a common theme amongst both birds and a lot of people. I guess that's part of what makes it special to those of us who remain behind in October. Looking forward to more of your posts... Bill Ridlon Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> Okay, Dana. I'm "outed" >Kurt Wisner >Lake City, FL > Bless you my son now you are no longer a lurker, don't it feel good. Dana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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