I was going to wait until June's Health post, but I'm just so thrilled about my new kayak! I've had it less than a week, and have been out in it 3 times already!
I'm addicted! Actually snuck out with it before work yesterday morning. We went to a place where we could paddle thru mangrove tunnels. How beautiful! We paddled out to a beachy island, took a short walk, and then paddled back. What a great way to start the day!
I feel so fortunate to live in a place where there is so much natural beauty around me, and many places close by to enjoy it daily.
Anyone thinking about taking kayaking or canoeing up as a hobby ... go for it! It's been more enjoyable than I expected.
Life is good! ~nettie
[ May 24, 2006, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: Janette Balogh ]
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Nettie,
A couple of years ago, after I attended the Dave Butler workshop you organized, I went down to Fort Myers to visit Chip Carter. A friend of mine and his family also came from Jacksonville with the "yak pack", his five kayaks, and we camped out further down the coast. We paddled miles down a river to the Gulf and back. It was awesome cruising around the gators and mangroves. If you time things right, you get to ride the tide out and back. It feels like you are turbocharged as you paddle.
I've got a few hundred miles of whitewater under my belt in canoes and kayaks but that was my first experience of flatwater kayaking.
You'll continue to enjoy it. It's very peaceful to glide soundlessly up to the wildlife in their natural environment and observe them. Lots of stress melts away when you are doing that.
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
...How 'bout them GATORS?
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Looks like a very fun, yet peaceful, form of excercise.
Glad you're enjoying it even more than you had expected! Have fun with that! Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Janette,
Will we be seeing you on America's Funniest Videos anytime soon?
.
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Where'd you go? Weeden Island? I suppose there are a lot of places matching that description in this county. Sure sounds like fun.
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
Is that little hole in the front for me to sit in when I come to visit????
Looks wonderful Nettie.
Suelynn Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
David, anytime you're back down here, look me up, we'll go! But no white water for this chick!
Billy, no gators where we went. Altho, most times they are okay to be around. I guess right now it's their mating season, and they are quite aggressive. I'll be keeping my distance for awhile!
Glenn, I wouldn't be surprised! I need to learn what to do when I capsize ... because you just know I will! hahaaa
Don, we went to Fort Desoto, and paddled out the Shell Island Preserve.
It's just so cool! I wasn't exactly sure if I was doing the right thing ... being a total newbie. But I could get used to this!
~nettie
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Fort Desoto is beautiful, too! Lots of great places here. Any kayaking out at Sawgrass Park, or too many gators there? That's Susan and my favorite so far.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Polk Salad Nettie, Gators gonna gitcha, Chomp, Chomp
apologies to Tony Joe White
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Nettie,
They're harder to capsize than you might think. Probably the best thing to do is bail out and crawl back in (which may be a bit of a trick if the water is deep). Practicing that wet application wouldn't hurt and Roger's Miracle Juice will be of no use.
Once, I rented a kayak to run the Guadeloupe during flood stage. I read up on Eskimo rolls and thought I had the technique figured out--of course I hadn't tried it in a swimming pool as recommended. I found a more placid stretch of river and flipped the kayak, which took quite a bit of work. I then positioned my paddle according to what I'd read, gave a hard yank and didn't even get my head out of the water. After a few more attempts, I thought: "I need to quit trying this, I'm about to drown."
My brother in law bought a kayak and headed to the Cossatot River in SW Arkansas to run it after a heavy rain. "Cossatot" is the local Indian word for "skull crusher", a very appropriate appelation, for it has been known to flip large rafts completely out of the water onto the bank.
After the first drop on Cossatot Falls, Kevin was trying to stay upright, after the second, he was attempting to save his kayak from destruction, after the third, he didn't care if he ever saw the boat again, he was just hoping to escape with his life. Some experienced white water enthusiasts watching the show told him that he did a pretty impressive job, especially considering he only had one week of experience.
He has since put a couple of hundred miles of white water under his amazingly resilient craft.
Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
Yakkety Yak, Dont talk back!!
Have fun
Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
Maybe a quick look at this might make you realise what an adrenaline sport you've entered into Janette
Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day. Posted by Ellen Day (Member # 5365) on :
Wow! That video is something else!!....I would classify that as white water rafting....lol!
Congrats Nettie on your new purchase and may you get many years of adventure with your new toy! It is beautiful there.....I lived in Orlando for 25 years and went canoeing at King's Landing/Rock Springs and got out of the canoe for a break to swim in a clear sandy area. Little did I know that there were gators nearby!!!
Love seeing the pictures, so please post more.
Ellen & GEET
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Gee I'm so jealous!
We finally had our first sunny day in 2 weeks, and I spent it working on the car, cutting the grass, doing some site-work, and generally running around like a nut.
Oh well, I guess it could be snowing sideways. (oh wait,..that was yesterday)
My kayak isn't calling my name,...it's yelling it!
So glad to hear and see you enjoying your new yak.
Looks like paradise.
Peace out, Bob
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Nettie, there are 2 meets Down Under in October....pack a few sandwiches...
Posted by Rosemary (Member # 1926) on :
Wow! That's a lot bigger than I thought they were! I think we should all help Nettie and support the "More Alligator Purses and Luggage" League. Maybe we could get Louis Vhitton to help too, no?
me
Oof! I can't be LIEVE I misspelled Louis Vuitton!!
[ May 25, 2006, 08:21 AM: Message edited by: Rosemary ]
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Hi Janette. that sure looks like fun.. maybe someday you'll make it up here and paddle around whales and Icebergs,,, they will be showing up here in june. Check this site out.
[ May 25, 2006, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: Neil D. Butler ]
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Yikes, that Orka video was something!
Thanks everyone for the well wishing, and the kayaking adventure stories.
Great photos Neil. I notice all the kayakers have big smiles on there faces. I understand now why. It's just plain fun!
Although, it kinda looks cold! I'm just so used to the warmer climate here, I just know I'd be freezin' my tushy off up there! bbbrrrrrrr
Still, I think I'd be game to give it a try! Let me get better in still, and warmer waters first tho.
~nettie
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Wayne, thanks also for posting that gator article. I printed it out to show my friends.
Last Saturday, a bunch of my friends invited me out with them to go yakking at a river up in Port Richey. I had seen some gator action stories on the news, that took place up there, so I declined and opted to stick close to home.
They really have been bad in Florida lately, unusually so. I'm not taking any chances. My yak would be no match for a big gator!
~nettie
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
The book I read on kayaking just before tackling the flooded Guadeloupe said in a quote I'll never forget:
"The very essence of kayaking, an essence we all wish to avoid, is having a chance to be killed in beautiful and noble surroundings."
Of course, that book was geared more towards doing endos off waterfalls than paddling around mangroves and saw-grass.
Posted by Bernice Tornquist (Member # 16) on :
Hi Janette:
It's been awhile since I talked to you. I had just had this picture sent to me....'very appropriately' at this time, reading your post. Must be 'just for you'.
Hope this picture comes through.
Happy kayaking, Janette!
[ May 26, 2006, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Barb. Shortreed ]
Posted by Bernice Tornquist (Member # 16) on :
Bump...just so you can see the picture which came through late. Thanks, Barb for your help.
Just in case you can't read what it says...it was a 3.8 metre kayak and a 4 metre shark....hmmmmmm
Watch out for them, Janette.
See all the advice you can get from us wise Letterheads!!! haha
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Maybe we could get Louis Vhitton to help too, no?![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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