With temps and chill factors at 0 degrees F. and lower (not to mention that my dry suit is at Kokatat), most of us are pretty much off the lake as it lets off steam. At least its heat has moderated temps near shore, but the wind has been blowing causing chill factors that cut to the bone. Best idea seems to be to find a nice warm pool and
relax.
And, so, free of their bright flashy fall colors I offer the elegance of these two nudes.
Okay, it's that time, and many of us are headed to the pool for sessions. For some, it will be their first in a kayak in an indoor pool. What, they ask, are the rules? Do the basics still apply? Is it like being on the big lake or the ocean, or do we need a whole new set of guidelines? Well, fear not. Once again, I am supplying that info for you with our annual review of pool rools.
Yesterday, I took the Cetus to the pool session. As it turned out, Sherri Mertz and I were the only sea kayakers (although she was in a white water boat...which I tried out later). I was there to roll and scull and brace and to see how the new boat behaved when tipped over.
It rolled well enough, albeit finishing a tad slower than the Romany. Sculling was no problem. I could not re enter and roll as I kept falling out of the cockpit. Sherri pointed out how I fit differently into the boat than into the Romany and how I would have to adjust things. I did blow some rolls, and it reminded me of my very first rolling lesson. The teacher told me I was lifting my head, and I said I was not. He then showed me a video of me rolling, and I was lifting my head (the schmo).
Ever the eagle eye, Sherri caught me doing the same yesterday. The difference was that I knew I had lifted my head (the pro), even as I realized the flash was going off and the ignoble moment was being frozen in time.
It was a worthwhile session. I was disappointed to find lots of water in the rear hatch as I felt I had sealed it properly. Maybe I didn't. I also noticed that the relief valve between the forward hatch and the cockpit is not doing its job, and I must burp the sucker every now and then.
Especially Family
Yesterday, we paddled together heading south along the shoreline. It was a route we had done so many times before, often with Doug along side. We returned early to gather at the home of Rick and Jennifer
to remember and memorialize Doug. There was, of course, food...
but most of the time was spent telling stories and looking at pictures of Doug taken over the years we've known him.
Some of us wrote notes that we would like to send to his sister in California.
Leslie, an artist (among other skills) had prepared a rock which we will place on the break wall next spring.
Doug Winter
We struggled for the right words as we talked, and I think Sue summed it up best when she told us how she would call and e mail Doug to come paddle. He would seldom respond. But when she sent a message that she needed help, Doug was instantly there. That's who he was. That's how I will remember him.
The Cetus features, as many of you know, a fourth hatch located just ahead of the cockpit. As sea kayakers, we all know that it is a no-no to open the forward or rear hatch while on the water. To do so is an invitation to disaster and a Cleopatra's Needle. So, along came the day hatch, a smaller compartment located just behind, on he left, of the paddler. Smaller, opening it only risks taking on a small amount of water, albeit amid ship where it would not be much of a problem. In high seas, however, paddlers inexperience in Yoga or pretzel bending may have some trouble getting to it. The stage is set for the 4th hatch.
This pic was taken almost 5 years ago and reminds me of what is coming up for us paddlers on Lake Michigan. We never had a real summer this year. On the other hand, it has been fairly mild this fall with rare temperatures down to freezing at night.
It's not winter here--yet, and it sure as heck isn't summer any more. It's 'tween time. Okay, I know some of you want to tell me that it is fall or autumn, that time of year when the trees are in various stages of shedding their foliage. But, at least to me, fall is that pretty part of the year that flashes by at the end of summer. It is that time when shockingly beautiful colors decorate all the trees. Then there is usually a rainstorm or two and, suddenly, it's 'tween time.
You can see it in the steely sky and feel it when deciding how to dress to paddle. The water is below 50 F, and dry suits are the dress of the day. Still, the air temp is often 5-10 degrees higher, so plan on sweating bullets while hoping you don't fall into the drink. Soon enough it will be time to take out the heavier neoprene mittens and think about a head covering that shields the nose from the wind.
In any event, after our usual military-like line up near the shore...
...we had ourselves a nice paddle, catching some nice rollers when we cleared the south end of the breakwater. All returned to shore safely...
...including those in the witness protection program.
The other day, the skeg on my new Cetus got harder and harder to use until I could not compress the little lever at all. I essentially had no skeg. I was very upset (and a little afraid that I had an unsolvable problem...but that's the pessimist in me) and fired off e mails to P&H and Brian Day. I didn't want to do a big blog on it because they have had some line problems with this gizmo, and I knew I was in a fould mood.
I have never been a proponent of the feathering of paddles. I know the reasoning: The high feathered blade cuts cleanly through the headwind. And why, I ask, are you always paddling into a headwind? Besides, this same set up wreaks havoc when the wind is on the beam and that feathered high blade is perpendicular to the breeze.
This is a skate key. It was used to tighten the two jaws that clamped the roller skates to the toes of one's shoes. Ann ankle strap held the back part on. The lower right squarish hold fit over the toggle on the skate, and you turned the whole thing like a wrench or screw driver. Now all the comments should make sens.
The St. Louis County Medical Examiner confirmed that a body found Thursday near Flood Bay was that of missing Milwaukee kayaker Douglas Winter.
The Lake County Sheriff's Department received a call Thursday afternoon alerting them that a body was found in the Flood Bay area. The body was taken to the St. Louis County Medical Examiner for an autopsy to confirm an identity and find a cause of death.
Paddle (extra) safe...
DS
If you are one of those who recognizes this icon of life it is likely that the very sight of it will bring back a rush of memories. If you do not know what it is, chances are you are young and missed one of the greatest ages in which to grow up.
Aaron Stander
All good things must come to an end...and that, in of itself, may be a good thing. Lady Linda and I are alive and well having survived both grand kids under the same roof for a few days. Now the little lady on the left is mellow, lay back and only makes a fuss when hungry.
...then we all went over to Sven's for coffee. I was delighted when I received a call from Doug's friend and neighbor saying he was accepting our invitation to sit with the group. He arrived minutes later. JB, Bob,. Vicki, Leslie, Sherri, Carl, Diane, Sue, Jeff, Karen and I sat quietly for the most part of an hour listening raptly while he told of his most recent contacts with Doug.
