Blue Moon: Peddling or Paddling?

                                                  High Trestle Trail Bridge Under a Blue Moon

                                                        Cheers to a Blue Moon with a Blue Moon

      For more than a half-decade I've enjoyed paddling under the rare 'blue moon', but this year I tried peddling under the moon ~ of course, I did see the moon growing larger while paddling Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.  It seems it's just as pretty peddling or paddling...

Kayaking in the Summer Rain

 

                      Rain the past two days has been a welcome respite from this summer's drought.  

                                                  'I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; 
                                             What a wonderful feeling, I'm happy again.' 
                                                ~  Arthur Freed

Subaru Dog Commercial

                   
         Just got a new Subaru and, wouldn't you know it, River was the first one in it - trying to audition for a spot in the next Subaru Dog Commercial.....she's pretty smart and definitely cute.  She says the sound system is awesome.  

ISU Kayak Club and the Skunk River Paddlers

Dog Days of Summer


 

Skunk River Paddlers

Sunset Paddle

19 Days Left to Train for GAAR 2012

Killer Whale vs Shark

                                                           

The jury is still out.  Does the Point 65 North XP18 more resemble a shark or a killer whale? Either way, I agree - it needs 'teeth' decals.  It has a skeg and a rudder - which now work thanks to Rich.  Yesterday in calm water neither was necessary.  It took some light chop today without any problems, but it will be interesting to see how it does in bigger waves and wind.....the jury is still out.

                                                                               Photo by Greg Vitale

In The Still of the Night - Camping (in my little MSR tent)

                                                                             
                                                                     A simple light.
                                                         Brings such comfort in the night.


'The light of memory, or rather the light that memory lends to things, is the palest light of all.  I am not quite sure whether I am dreaming or remembering, whether I have lived my life or dreamed it.  Just as dreams do, memory makes me profoundly aware.'
~ Eugene Ionesco

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore - Sand Island Sea Caves

                                                         Force 3 in Sand Island Sea Caves

 My boat and I, along with several friends, made the trip to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore again this year.  We were blessed with the excitement of summer storms and wind, giving us the opportunity to be flexible and spend more time getting to know each other and the Bayfield area.  Although we were disappointed to cut our paddling time short, it was amazing to see and meet all the kayakers who were also coming in from the islands due to the storms.  I've never seen so many kayakers together in one campground!

                                                                   Bayfield Marina

I was also amazed that my attempts at boat repair were successful.  The week before the trip I was contemplating taking another boat because the Force 3 was leaking in all three hatches as well as the cockpit.  After filling the boat with water and putting it up on sandbags it wasn't apparent that it was leaking from the hull.  So what was the problem?  I'd been spending a lot of time practicing rescues and the kayak had been upside down and rolled a lot this summer.  I decided it might be the hatches.  Or bulkheads.  We sealed them all with 3M Marine Sealant.  I sealed the compass and all the deck and foot pedal bolts, then I waxed the boat and applied 303 to everything.  The color has oxidized over the miles and years, and it turns out that the skeg that was replaced 4 years ago isn't the right size - thus, I paddle on one side of the boat or the other from time to time.  But, no leaks!  There may be a new Force 3 in the future, but this old boat will always be my favorite.

                                                                   Bayfield After the Storm