Life Is Good

      After many weeks of planning, parties, training and racing it is blissful to have an evening to sit on the deck and enjoy the serenity of the wind and the sounds of nature.  Tranquility.
     'Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.'  ~William Wordsworth

South Dakota Kayak Challenge 2012

                                                           Travis and Rick  -  Ready to Go

The 2012 Crew - minus Gary, John and Don

                 
                                   Eric and I take a short break before heading back into the wind.

Yankton, South Dakota to Sioux City, Iowa via the Mighty Missouri - 160 boats

75 miles - 11 hours... and a whole lot of  headwind  :)

Wish Me Luck

                                                                
                                                                          ...I'll need it

Lover's Waltz

Practice Session:
'Lover's Waltz' - by Molly Mason and Jay Ungar is a popular wedding instrumental piece. When Jen and Luke were in high school and college they were often asked to perform this piece for weddings and events.  Jen always played first violin, and Luke was the second 'voice' coming in with the second violin part. The piano accompaniment has been played by many, including my 'third daughter', Emily Law (Tuttle), but most recently Ben has added his talent to the piece.  It's a simple song but beautiful, and brings back so many memories...making music.  It has become tradition, perhaps taking on a life of its own.  Thank you Lydia and Kent for making this part of your ceremony; I couldn't stop the tears.

Pawsitively Crazy

Appropriate photos for a Veterinarian/Engineer; have to wait for the surfing photos from Costa Rica - this is one crazy couple!    Everyday a new adventure... 

Peace Tree

The grand old Sycamore Tree that is often called the 'Peace Tree' was at one time the second largest Sycamore tree in the country.  Oral tradition supports that it was located on the boundary separating Indian Territory from the U.S. Territory, and was a trading area and meeting place for Indians and white fur traders to barter goods.  The tree was 400 - 500 years old and had been hit by lightning at least once when the area was flooded in 1969 creating Lake Red Rock - thus ending the life of the old tree.  

Over the past decade we have seen the 'stump' remains of the tree grow smaller and smaller after each winter season.  This year is no exception and an inspection of the tree this past weekend showed that another section was no longer there. Someday we will tell our children and grandchildren that 'once upon a time there was a great Sycamore...'  Meanwhile we still pay homage and check on its 'survival'....and the Cormorants still love to spend their summers perched on its peak.  

All we are saying is give Peace a Chance 

~ John Lennon

Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts

Faces On the Water

 

April Showers Bring Moving Rivers

       Tsunami 12.5 Kayak - This little 12 foot orange kayak was able to handle the rapids and tracks fairly well.  Of course, there's no skeg or rudder.  I got turned around in a few eddys, but that was because I was talking and not watching the river.  The little river boat was easy to maneuver and was easy to get on an edge.  It has two hatches that stayed dry during the four hour trip.  If I needed another whitewater boat this Wilderness Systems kayak would be tempting.