Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Big Difference
I have spent an enormous part of my adult life on the big waters of Lake Michigan, and most of that has been in sail boats. The quietness of a vessels propelled by an invisible force can bring a wonderful sense of place and serenity to the heart of a sailor.
My favorite boat was a Hans Christian 42 which I finally sold when I lost some function in one of my legs and no longer felt safe out there (I was usually alone). I do, however, remember one of the sayings about sailing: It was said to be a way of going no where, slowly, in great discomfort and at great expense. Kayaking, on the other hand, is nothing like that. There is a huge difference. 
 A kayak, unlike a large sailboat, does not require a slip, complicated maintenance or unique winter storage. No sir. And, yet, a kayak is quiet and without mechanized propulsion or the stink of diesel fumes. Kayaking is entirely different than sailing.
Unlike sailing, kayaking is the art of going no where, slowly, in great discomfort on the cheap.

Paddle safe...
DS

7 comments:

Susan said...

Sir, I believe you have hit the nail squarely on the head with that one...good on ya!

Silbs said...

Secret's out, Susan

Stan Mac Kenzie said...

Very Nice indeed. Nice shots as usual.

Stan

Silbs said...

Thanks, Stan. It is a bit embarrasing. My teaching duties have been a bit overwhelming, and I find myself recycling old pics. My Canon Zoom-telephoto broke. I just bought a reconditioned one (up to 300) from Canon and hope to get out and get some fresh shots.

SherriKayaks said...

A boat is a hole in the water, surrounded by fiberglass, into which you throw money. In the case of a kayak, the amount of money thrown is less than most other boats.

Jamie said...

Great points but one can't easily drink a beer while kayaking and moving compared to a boat And nothing breaks a perfect quiet like the whispering exhale of a pull-tab. And then the pop. Even the sounds of gulp gulp can be thunderous in a field of complete silence.

That said, hail hail to the kayaks!

Silbs said...

Why can't you drink beer in a kayak??