Said you took a big trip
They said you moved away
Happened oh, so quietly
They say

Shoulda took a picture
Something I could keep
Buy a little frame
Something cheap
For you

Everyone says hi – bowie

The final day opens with cloud and rain. I crawled out of bed and made the long death row walk to the kitchen to start the coffee. Normally coffee is a good thing to me. The last of my addictions. However since we ran out last night, we had to use the Folgers that’s been sitting under the cupboard for the better part of a decade. Yes, I use coffee as a drug, and it’s never a good thing to change suppliers. You never know what you’re going to get. Youch, and this first sip only supports that concussion!

By now most of the packing is done. Gear is bagged and bundled and piled on the floor. Mary’s task will be to see if she can make it all fit in the back of the Jeep. Mine will be to sit right here and complete last minute tasks for 150 businesses who always seem to come up with “one last thing” before I go anywhere. It’s good to feel needed, but the stress is sometimes appalling.

Yesterday we got out in the kayaks again for a bit of last minute practice. Why is it we always have to practice before we go somewhere to learn?

Redundancy is the smoke of paranoia.

Mary is thinking, “I do NOT want to blow a roll in front of Cheri Perry.” and I’m thinking, “damn I know their going to nail me for my hanging draw”.

Paranoia is often misdiagnosed neurosis.

And it’s not like your going to gain anything with a last couple hour session on the lake. Mary knows she can roll and frankly may never need “prove it”. I’m certainly not going perfect a technique in a couple hours. (Only Alex Pak can do that.) But there is something about the human brain that wants one last go or at the very least, a little re-assurance that it understands the problems.

Understanding, always gives you a fighting chance.

So, you may ask, why aren’t I worried about the 4 star skills ?? Well, to be honest I’m actually confident there. It’s funny, the BCU 3* skills are all about flat water strokes. I went through most of that battle with the ACA. Stokes always leave room for improvement and assessors can always find flaws in your technique. Then some assessors like it different ways than others.

Demonstrating stokes is sort of a strip tease. Half of your success depends on the mood of the audience. (or desperation)

BCU 4* star skills are more about kayak safety and boat handling in light conditions which is actually more like real life. Over the last year, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to paddle in wind and waves. I’m not too bothered by conditions. Well, at least the conditions you need to pass the 4*. And many of the skills I need to have for this assessment I’ve been lucky enough to learn from some really great kayakers. In the end my Woody Allan eyes see me doing well and then asked as an afterthought to demo some strokes and get laughed right off the coast!

“Some drink deeply from the river of knowledge. Others only gargle.” – Woody Allen

I have the best intentions to try to leave a note here over the next couple weeks but I wonder that I actually will. Once you slip into Kayaker mode who wants to type? Come to think of it, who wants to shower?

In the mean time I’d suggest taking extra time to read Keith Wikel’s new blog. Of course you may never return here. . .

d

*I took the above photo at Vilas Zoo in Madison.

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