You certainly have a wonderful place to paddle - not exactly ocean, not exactly river. Keep them random thoughts flowing our way. Not being able to paddle is a drag. I've been doing lots of hiking lately. I, along with my wife Yvonne, two daughters and the dog have just did 4 mini-mountain, after dinner hikes (300 to 400 meters) over the last 6 days (a personal accomplishment for me right now given health and fatige levels), including a memorable climb in the rain, breeze and mist amongst the incredible spring foliage, thick green moss and colorful flowers. I can't keep up with my daughters yet, but have been building up stamina as fast as I can. Mom and dad's knees ain't what they used to be, so I picked up a nice set of Leki trekking poles today for our 2 hour climb tonight. Yvonne said I'm the only person she knows who can make a simple activity like walking complicated and expensive, but she wouldn't give them back to me once I leant her the pair. Guess I'll get some more for myself tomorrow - maybe some carbon fiber ones - so much for a low carbon future. I wonder if folks take trekking poles kayaking. They might make good fly poles and may assist hikes on uneven beach terrain. Anyone out there use them in this capacity for kayaking-related trips? Doug Lloyd > It's been a while. > > Yesterday. > > A bright breeze out of the north. > > Gravelly, coarse, steep ramp. Weeds, tons 'o neoprene. > > Two newbies, cheerful and apprehensive. Chocolate galore. > > Freedom, grace, the lightness of gliding. Wind in the face. > > Fine pale new shoots in the mud. > > A lonely canoe, knocking back and forth. > > Elk tracks galumphing up the bank. Cattle lowing in the distance. > > Tame cinnamon teal. > > A Pygmy Arctic Tern, deck inlay and all; Carrie is new in town. > > Two good old boys in a twelve foot jon boat. Fifty buck special, motor > and all. > > Strength low, some pain up high. Good. > > We'll do it again. > > > [Random thoughts on resuming paddling after an 11-month hiatus, induced by > a degenerative shoulder condition; old age is not for the timid ... or the > testosterone-afflicted. It's easy paddling from here on out.] > > -- > Dave Kruger > Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Apr 30 2007 - 21:08:28 PDT
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