Re: [Paddlewise] Post christmas paddle

I'm home from RV'ing and cross-country skiing. It was a wonderful getaway
and I can't say that I'm glad to be home, actually. The Foretravel 36-foot
motorome we bought is as comfortable as home even in temps down to 9F.

I did think about paddling though... the Methow River looks like it would
be a fun Class II but it's hard to tell from a winter flow. There were
several fishermen out in the flow with flyrods in hand. They looked cold
but maybe not. The older I get the more things look cold but standing in a
river with snow on the banks just seems to fit the mold for "cold".

I know I can fit into my kayaks because I chose them specifically for their
ability to adjust to expanding girth. I'm not so sure about my sailplane,
however. I think the cockpit is 24 inches wide. I keep getting shorter
though so maybe that'll make up for it.

I'd love a surfski but I think I'd have to equip it with a scuba tank
because it would be upside down most of the time. I have all I can do to
keep 21-inch wide kayaks upright. Anyway, where would I put my lunch?

Dave Kruger is in my thoughts often as well, Doug... as you are.

Happy New Year to everyone. Paddling has made some amazing strides over the
past 5 years. I wonder where it will go in the future. I only hope
Paddlewise stays active enough to keep us all informed of what kayakers are
doing all over the world.

Craig
The lake is still frozen... rolling is easy but hard on the shoulders.

On Sun, Jan 1, 2012 at 8:30 PM, Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote:

> I spent the day in my workshop, shoulda gone for a New Year's day paddle
> with the outcasts but alas, my a*s needs some trimming to fit my yak
> comfortably. Craig is off RV'ing but I know Mark and Duane were probably
> out
> paddling. Duane's got a fast-hauling surfski now so he can outrun sharks
> and
> I think our listdad is out too as water there is actually liquid right now;
> not sure if Dave is dead or near dead in Astoria but I think of him often
> and the life he brought to the list here for years - he'll be paddling
> forever somewhere in the universe I'm sure for eternity, kicking back at
> the
> beach working on good post-paddle grub. May you find time for paddling in
> 2012 Chuck, may you always fit your boat, and may the inside of your
> drysuit
> always remain dry, the wind at your back - you know, all that good stuff...
>
> Doug
>
> >I haven't been out in the boat all year. Linda's mother died last month a
> few weeks short of her 100th birthday, and until then we had to take turns
> leaving the house, as we didn't feel good about leaving her alone. I'm
> currently prepping the attic for a new floor covering. December here in St.
> Paul has been 6.6 degrees above average -- the new average, at that -- and
> dry. The official high on December 26 was 52 degrees, and there is no snow
> on the ground, which is just as well, since the stuff that normally resides
> in our attic is stacked high in the garage, where it is susceptible to
> melting snow. No rest for the weary....
>
> Chuck Holst<
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