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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.
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.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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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
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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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.
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.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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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
-------------------- Ellen Day Cutting GoldRushSigns Posts: 77 | From: Florissant, CO | Registered: Jan 2005
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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
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1873 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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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!!
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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.
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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
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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'.
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Maybe we could get Louis Vhitton to help too, no?![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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