Author Archives: Pat

One of my goals for my 50th year is to learn to roll my Kayak. I have been practicing, but I just can’t get it so now I think it is time to try finding an instructor who can help. Here are some of the resources I have been using on the web: http://www.creativepursuits.net/kayaking.htm http://www.nigelkayaks.com/983/159901.html … Continue reading »

“I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through … Continue reading »

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with … Continue reading »

We finally had a break in the weather this last Saturday (4.21.12)and I took the boat up the Columbia River Gorge for a birthday solo paddle. Stopped for lunch on a lovely little sandy island named… wait for it… “Sand Island”. After watching the Ospreys fish while I ate my lunch, along with a celebratory … Continue reading »

So I ordered some “Self Rescue” straps from Seaward Kayaks up in Canada and they came last week. I got them fitted to the boat, right behind the cockpit. I took some time to remove the deck bungees, which were rather worn, from that area and paint it with Rustoleum Truck Bed Spray. The kit … Continue reading »

I have this great love for VW Westfalias. The ones between about 1975 and 80 really appeal to me. Jess and I owned a 76 westie named “Hobbes” due to its German Marigold Yellow paintjob. I loved that van but when we moved in 1995 and he went to a very nice young couple in … Continue reading »

I have been managing to get out occasionally. But the Columbia and all her tributary rivers are running very high. The water is looking like the chocolate river from Willie Wonka. So, I am still modding the kayak. My latest is adding a water ballast system behind the cockpit. It is constructed around a 10 Liter MSR Dromedary Bag held … Continue reading »

After putting the custom artwork in place and getting three coats of marine wax on the kayak, I am ready to take it out for a trial spin. Weather tomorrow looks acceptable so I am heading up to Rooster Rock SP to give it a trial run. I am very excited to be getting back … Continue reading »

So, last weekend I completed re-installing the factory seat for my kayak. The seat cushionwas re-attached to the bucket using nylon “Variable Depth Push Fasteners” for Ford vehicles that I picked up at the local Lowes. The bucket itself was glued to the minicell pads I had attached to the hull to prevent wear and … Continue reading »