Re: [Paddlewise] Journaling

Journals:
    I've been keeping a log that has the places, miles, conditions and 
anything unusual like the bit of being a pylon for a jetski or seeing the 
mating flight of eagles, as we did at Mason Neck last April. But I haven't 
been keeping the kind of trip report log that Woody makes. Besides, about 250 
of my almost 500 miles has been with him so he is doing the work for me. I 
just print them out on Mondays with the maps.
    Mostly, I remember what I've seen and where. I have to admit the when 
totally escapes me as time increases the clutter in my brain. I won't forget 
either the eagles nor the trip because I wrote down the eagles and that it 
was my first CPA trip. I'd rather make my short, non-sentence notes on a trip 
and save the real writing for stuff others have to decipher.
    Why journal at all then? I like to see what I've done that I don't notice 
except in retrospect, like miles. I like to note the exceptional so that it 
doesn't loose its context. I like to read where I wrote down that first roll 
or the first time paddling in fairly steep waves.  Just because they would be 
really small to me today doesn't diminish my memory of the exhilaration I 
felt then. I was so pleased.

Camping:
    I wish I camped more so I could get the camping/boat thing to at least a 
less ludicrous level. I'm a list maker so journaling what I took would be 
just Scotch taping the list into my book. I know what equipment I must have, 
what I want, and what is useless except in the most unusual circumstances. I 
truly don't need the down comforter I take car camping in the boat. The 
coffee pot is a different issue. It is one of the bigger things but one of 
the last things to be sorted out of the kit. It is a relief to learn that 
most of you take 2 hours to get under way. I thought it was just us. When 
pressed to the wall we can do it faster but it isn't fun.
    I am really torn about the camping equipment I want every time people 
start writing about the issue. When you all make your Christmas list here are 
the things  I want: a new boat-Gulfstream, a new tent, a parawing tarp, a 
down sleeping bag, a new stove and a full length therma-rest mat. I just KNOW 
that if I had just the right gear I could do it in 45 minutes<G>.

Joan
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************