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From: <SLLenton_at_aol.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Subj: Cretins and Sad Mutations...
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 11:02:55 EDT
>I'm presently residing in the majestic wastelands outside of Houston Texas.<

Tom,
Having had the "pleasure" of being stationed at one time in TX me thinks that 
your best bet would be to pack up your kayak & hit 6 Flags in Dallas.  They 
have some fairly clean water in the rides section!  (for sure take your 
paddleskirt!)  Any sport in TX is a learning experience which I am sure there 
are alot of unique ways to enjoy outdoor activites with a lot of advise from 
others that live in that environment. Not to criticize TX (or step on any 
PWer's toes) there are a few sports that I felt were not ideal for that 
state. I had a few of those "Kodak" moments whilst trying to enjoy a few & 
learned the following: jeeps are expensive to have towed out when sunk to the 
axle (in an innocent looking field wherein the vegetation hides huge unseen 
areas of muck), rock  & crack climbing is the pits especially if you try to 
outrun a mesquite tree while repelling; rattlers are not particular where 
they nap, scorpions are not the first thing you notice when you are busy 
trying to find footage or cracks & camping on a wildlife preserve will draw 
every buffalo in a 10 mile radius, not to mention the flying critters that 
file flight plans without ETA's. Let's not even address the friendly spiders 
i.e. black widows & brown recluse, the latter which got the munchies on my 
leg....... okay perhaps I am not the best Girl Scout nor 
outdoors-person........

I for one would not take my kayak in the waters of where I lived, Wichita 
Falls, since it would surely turn my white kayak a yet to be sold color, TX 
Red. You could still enjoy kayaking if you either moved or made yourself a 
nice big water hole (don't forget to preline it with concrete & invest in a 
grand filtering system).

This is a creative group of people and am sure the feedback will be excellent 
on places to paddle within a reasonable distance. (Please keep in mind those 
of you reading this that are far wittier then me, I am not looking for 
feedback on my escapes nor my personal thoughts about TX.) If I was still 
living there I think I would start watching for good airfares to good 
paddling states. Ever thought of taking up hacky-sack? Just kidding, I don't 
mean to offend anyone that loves living in Texas, I truly prefer being "A way 
up North" with the mountains, ocean, lakes & yes sometimes too much rain.

Can I  plead anonymous?
Sandi in Washington State
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From: Tom Meagher <tmeagher_at_netropolis.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Subj: Cretins and Sad Mutations...
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 22:36:32 -0500
> feedback on my escapes nor my personal thoughts about TX.) If I was still
> living there I think I would start watching for good airfares to good
> paddling states. Ever thought of taking up hacky-sack? Just kidding, I
don't
> mean to offend anyone that loves living in Texas, I truly prefer being "A
way
> up North" with the mountains, ocean, lakes & yes sometimes too much rain.
>
>Can I  plead anonymous?
>Sandi in Washington State

Sandi,
I hear's ya.  But I married me a Houston girl with a big fambly, and she
loves it here.  ...sigh...

I explicitly chose to take up kayaking in the hopes that it would be
something that wouldn't be quite as miserable as most of the other outdoor
recreational options available in this area (and I can't quite sink so low
as to jet ski).  Being on the water is a big plus.  I used to windsurf, but
gave it up after I moved from Clear Lake TX (near the bay) to Katy TX (far
from the bay) because I fell below "critical mass" with it.  So I sold my
sailboards and gear and bought this old kayak.  So far, so good, at least
there are no motors in a kayak.

Texas Tommy



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