Something to think about

"maybe all it takes is just one person to believe in what you are doing to give you the confidence to keep trying." (Sting, Broken Music; pg 89-90)

I hope this is a nice little jolt/reminder to all of us that we need to let the ones close to us know that we love, care and support them in all that they do. It may seem silly or insignificant at times to keep repeating or saying the same things over and over, but you never know it may be just the one time that helps make all the difference in a loved ones life.

Let the people close to you know how much you care, go out of your way today to show them the support they may need.

Tradition

Sense I started kayaking every year I have made a run down the Big Darby River. It's like my home base so to speak or my top secret club house like we had when we were kids. You just don't let anyone in!!!

BDR was the first river I kayaked. I have yet to make the trip down the river this year. In seasons past I have made at least 10 trips down it and taken a few friends with me. I have two friends that I will have to get on that river before seasons end.

Keith, Amy and myself have not missed a year without kayaking down that river sense 2008 I believe. The year I started kayaking. This is my third season and I like our tradition. The season will not be complete till I get that run in.

I like having traditions. I have to say that this is one of my favorites. Of course it won't pass the gathering around the house at my g'mas for our family holidays and watching the lil' ones being told to quit running or to sit; instead of jumping on the couch. Oh and let's not forget the RED VELVET CAKE!!! YUM YUM YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's my cake back off readers :)

Well have a great day and PADDLE ON!!!

Whitewater River Pic

This is the Whitewater River, Jesse and I hope to due the long run of it this season.

PFD

I was able to try out my new PFD yesterday on my outing in Shawnee State Park. I was very pleased with it!!! It was easy to adjust the fit of the vest and it stayed in place ... no ridding up toward my neck or face. It is also easier to paddle in because it has straps for the shoulders. Instead of bulky padding that gets in the way of the natural motion of the paddlers stroke. I am very happy with this PFD and glad that I finally got the chance to use it.

If you have a PFD that you love and think would be good for others to use please let us know.

Any Paddle Stories you feel like sharing with us please do

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND PADDLE ON!!!

The Hot Lake

Today I loaded up the truck and headed for Shawnee State Park. One of my usual stomping grounds. There are two lakes in the park that I kayak; Turkey Creek Lake and Roosevelt Lake. Four out of five times I will go to Roosevelt Lake, the smaller one.

I arrived at Roosevelt Lake and started to debate my choice to go paddling today. The water was muddy, visibility was low and the sun was out in full force. I walked over to the lake and had a look around, the water was as brown as tea with milk added to it (try it sometime you may like it, it will give an old fav tea of yours a new twist) and I was roasting just standing their. Of course I decided to go out, the last time I was out in the yak was in the BANKS!!! Due to the season of rain that we Ohioans have been delt this year.

I am starting to like the entrance into this lake, it use to give me pause. However, this time I just went for it and boy was it fun...PUSH...SLIDE...DROP...SPLASH and I was in the lake headed right toward another bank. I had to quickly back paddle and make my way out into the open water; all 3/4 mile that this vast lake occupies. Once I made it to the open water I had to do an about face; turn around, so that I would be going forwards in the open water and no longer paddling backwards.

I started to get my paddle on right out of the gate and just as quick as I had taken off I changed my mind on that idea. I was going way to fast given the condition of visibility. I had to make myself slow down and take it easy. The water was still, it made you want to go fast, it was begging you to bust threw like a TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE attacking pizza!!!

Once I was back to a safe and limiting speed I continued on to the very end of the lake. I sat for a minute or two took a look around, saw a few people fishing in one area of the lake, another group was floating on rafts and kicking about in the water having a good ol'e time and a man was drying his dog off after its busy day of swimming. I believe the dog was a Dalmatian.

After taking a quick inventory of the lake I decided it was time to head back to the truck it was way to hot to be out on the water today in a kayak like this with no shade or cover of any sort. I took a few drinks of water and got my paddle on. The trip back to the truck was uneventful, once their I got out and loaded up all the gear and headed back home. I may not have been on the water long but it was nice to get back out there and just paddle. Have a great day paddlers and remember to PADDLE ON!!!

Trips 2-B Taken

This has been a very slow kayaking season for me due to the rain. I have yet to go on a river!!! Rivers are what I prefer when kayaking. Here are a list of places I hope to get to before the end of the season.

1. Big Darby Creek - Grove City, OH

2. Whitewater River - Brookville, IN

3. Hocking River - Logan, OH

4. Mohican River - Loudonville, OH

Well that's it for now; as always have fun and PADDLE ON!!!