Monday, January 31, 2011

Get Your Shovel On

Snow Storm the game:
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Instructions: Drink large quantities of Buttered Rum intermittently through out play; Grab that shovel and let'er rip.
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Play: Help your neighbors, build community and camaraderie; Share Buttered Rum.
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High Score: Person with the least ER visits with Back pain wins!
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Variations: Include sending children out to shovel while you tend to the rum; parents with the least whining teenager takes top prize!!
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We're looking at totals 12" to 20" through Wednesday. Woo Hoo!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

In the News!

News that is good for you.
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There is more than one way to get to the port of Manistee, but for paddlers participating in the inaugural 2011 Tip of the Mitt Adventure in June, there will be just two: leave Oscoda and traverse the state by river or hit the open waters of lakes Huron and Michigan. See more...
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Marissa and I are part of this intrepid crew, [enter large smiles]

Friday, January 28, 2011

Milling around

Down and out with an ear infection has got me taking it easy and milling around (bothering people) the Rock River Canoe Company.
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Here Kim rolls out the second coat of epoxy resin on a stitch and glue kayak. Notice the no drop cloth approach; kind a like free climbing, you gotta know your sh**. There was absolutely no waste of product; the rolling pan was as dry as your grand daddy's skull.
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The Capt'n

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

This is what I'm talking about!



Project Lakewell

The Nina and Pinta and Gabagouache
Thunder Bay Maritime Festival 2009

Now tell me this isn't going to be a blast paddling the Big Pond in "Gabagouche" in the Tip of the Mitt; epic picture Lynn, epic.
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I'm all a dither ~ The Capt'n

Ground Truth Trekking

Journey on the Wild Coast movie poster



Ground Truth Trekking is based on the belief that expeditions to see what's on the ground help us learn about important issues. We combine that "ground truth" with "researched truth," using our scientific backgrounds along with our adventures to come up with something we hope will further the conversation about these issues in an entertaining and informative way. Of course, we can't hope to be experts on everything, so we focus most of our efforts on natural resource issues in Alaska.

Hint Hint Nudge Nudge Emily... ~ Smile Dad

Lights Camera Action



Canoecopia, Madison Wisconsin
Sunday, March 13 · 9:00am - 3:00pm

Rapid Media's 6th annual Reel Paddling Film Festival showcases the world's best paddling films to audiences in Canada, United States and around the world. The festival inspires more people to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push physical and emotional extremes, embrace the lifestyle and appreciate the heritage of the wild places we paddle.

The Reel Paddling Film Festival is produced by Rapid Media. Rapid Media also publishes four leading paddlesports magazines: Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots and Kayak Angler magazines. Your ticket to a Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour stop includes a free one-year digital edition subscription to one of the above magazines. Special offer details are available in your evening program.


Enjoy the show!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Good things out of Katy Texas

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What do you do when Guy Clark, Paul Horn, Robbie Mclntosh, Steve Earle, Sharon Shannon, Slaid Cleaves, James McMurtry, John Hiatt, David Wilcox, Gove Scrivenor, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Arundel, Paul Thorn, Lyle Lovett, Freddy Johnson, Hot Tuna and Karla Bonoff show up at your front door? Invite them in of course!!
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Big thanks to Christy Smith for "arranging" the meeting, the timing perfect.
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After being home sick for a week and watching antenna TV (best done on heavy doses of cold medicine); makes you wonder "How many times can one dog pee?"
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Ah a dip of the paddle to "Boats Water and Life"... We all have boards to bend and planks to nail.
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The Capt'n

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Boat Talk

Some amazing shots of the Opti being put to the extreme; never thought of it as a big water sailor. (I don't do a whole lot of thinking)
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It's that time of year, kinda like the anticipation of Christmas morning, wondering what's gonna be under the tree; in this case what's gonna be on the beach. The Everglades Challenge pushes the limits of small boat design; 2010 boats click here
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Some great pictures coming out of http://www.capizzano.com/ - Check out their website for amazing sailing action photography.
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As for worthy boats, it will be interesting to see what the Wizard and potentially SOS come up with; both have been known to show up with let's say inspiring watercraft; And with SOS now working for B and B Yacht Designs, things could get interesting.
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Marissa has an Opti in the garage; It appears the boat could handle the extreme of an EC or Tip of the Mitt; Question is could I? Looks to be wet and uncomfortable for this old man; Have you ever sat on the rail of an Opti, me bones are already aching.
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Probably shouldn't have posted this, don't want to give the Boo any ideas.
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The Capt'n

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Now a Word from our Captain

File photo "Gabagouache"

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"It appears the stars have aligned for a "Voyage"; To hug the shoreline of Lake Michigan, from the historical "Mighty Mac" to the "Manistee River"
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The crew now committed consist of ten adventurous souls, yearning to experience the white sandy beaches of Lake Michigan, its wind, striking waves, beauty, serenity, and its history beckon this intrepid team. Project Lakewell's team also boast of a land crew more to follow." - Captain Mike Smith
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The event: Tip of the Mitt - click here
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The Voyager Canoe - "Gabagouache" 26'
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The Captain "Gouvernail": Mike Smith
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The Crew:
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Lynn Johnson
Mike Doty
Toby Nipper
Ray Drysdale
Jean Drysdale
Marissa Weber
Brian Weber
Bob Bradford
Janet Bradford
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Pretty darn excited about taking this trip; never stepped foot in a voyager canoe before. Pretty sure we will have plenty of time to get acquainted. - The Capt'n

Sunday, January 9, 2011

January Paddle

Great day for paddling; Great day period! Sandy launches after John broke away shore ice; Smart man to bring an ice axe, you'd think he had done this before.
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John moves in for some stabilization to brace Sandy as she enters her boat, 14 degrees slippery shore and ice cold water; best to take help when you can get it. Paddling solo is always a pleasure, but in extreme conditions it is nice to have good paddlers around.
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All's good in the world, we all made it on the water without **incident; snow and ice in the bottom of the canoe, you might as well be standing on ball bearings, it can get pretty slippery.
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No wind, river clear of debris and ice, just beautiful; **we did have a brief discussion with Law enforcement at the put in. It appears we were on private land and the owner has had enough of trespassers littering his property with cans and garbage. We were asked not to launch there without permission; law enforcement was quite friendly, I think we were the least of his worries.
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Interesting moment on the water, we stopped for a coffee and some tomato soup to warm the bones; We were gawking at all the goose poop when we were greeted by a couple walking through the cemetery, they just buried the son this past October. They seemed to take sollice our presence, asking questions about the river and our canoes, they commented how nice it was to have him buried by the river; a moving moment as it appeared to offer them some comfort, that people were around looking over him so to speak.
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John working his way back up river; we ran out of highway as the water turned to ice as the current slowed.
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Just another banner day in Wisconsin, John and Sandy taking it all in. You can't see them but there is a large flock for geese overhead encouraging us to move on so they can get their open water back.
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The Capt'n

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Black Feather Outifitters



Black Feather Outfitters

Just keep getting drawn to Justine's movie "This is Canoeing" Mountain River Trip. Check out the series of paddling movies - click here