[Paddlewise] The 1.2 Step Program - Addicted to Seakayaking: It All Started ____

Dr. Josh:

I share your desires; I mean lusts.  Actually for both boats you mention; 
the Extreme, KhatsalonoS plus a Mariner II or Romany Explorer or 
_______.   The sound of a fiberglass hull scraping on sand sends chills of 
joy through my entire being!!  How did we end up pursuing such 
lusts?  Wants and Desires that have become such DRIVING NEEDS!   The need 
for new equipment; paddling time; and increased skills!  Addicted!   How 
did it happen to you!

For me the upward spiral to addiction all started while living in Florida 
and deciding that there just wasn't much to do for an outdoor oriented 
person such as myself.  To hot, to may bugs and not enough dry land to 
hike.  Certainly nothing to climb.  I had a  top end Touring bike that I 
had been putting about 15-20 miles on each morning to stay in shape.  One 
morning I was run off the road by a school bus, almost smacked by a lady 
running a stop sign and then another person made a left turn into my 
path.  She was driving a convertible with the top down and given my ex-Army 
yell I think it scared her more than I.  The bike had to go or I knew I was 
going to die at the hands of a Florida Q-Tip (blue hair or elderly driver 
depending on how politically correct you wish to be and they are easily 
identified by two hands on the steering wheel and a small puff of white 
hair barely visible over the seat)

A friend suggested Sea Kayaking, which I knew nothing about.  I found a 
shop and stopped in.  There were all kinds of boats.  Plastic, fiberglass 
and WOW skin on frame!   The beauty!  The gadgets!  I had gone back to 
school and couldn't afford any of them.  Oh well, another dead end.  I 
asked this guy at the shop if he knew anyone who would be interested in 
buying a high end touring bike.  He said he was!  An idea took hold and I 
told him I would be back.  I ran home grabbed the bike and back to the shop.
"Here, keep it for a while and if you like it - Make Me An Offer!"   He 
did:  "I'll trade you a kayak for your bike."  A new Prijon Seayak! Done 
deal!  Minor problem:  No paddle, skirt or PFD!  He was nice enough to loan 
me a paddle with blades the size of a grain shovel and an old worn skirt 
and a faded, but functional PFD.   Books, magazines, equipment and email 
lists!  I just took the 1.2 steps to addiction and can't stop!  Brace 
yourself!!!!

Dear Paddling Friends:  Help Josh and I overcome this addiction!  Satisfy 
our lusts!  Make two guys at far ends of the world the most satisfied sea 
kayakers known to man and God!   Give us both our boats of desire!   You 
can send mine to:
Remember - I can't hold my breath too long while learning to roll.  Don't 
make us turn blue waiting for our new boats!  If you can't give us our own 
then lend us yours for a while.  Share the wealth!

Then and only then will our desires shift to something our suffering 
families can relate to!  Golf????????????????

Your Sea Kayak Addicted Friend:
Fred Thomas
California Kayaking


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