They said get back honky cat
Better get back to the woods
Well I quit those days and my redneck ways
And oh the change is gonna do me good
- elton john

Well it’s last minute, but Alex Pak is relieved to know he indeed does have a ride over to the Michigan Training Camp. Like everything else this year it seems it wasn’t until the very last minute that I was 100% sure it was going to work out. Then to add to the tension the DSL was dead for a day and a half, I had to rebuild a camera lens, repair a kayak, and try to stay on top of a crazy work load! Finally just an hour ago I put out my gear to dry before morning. I’m looking forward to escaping for awhile. Even if it’s just a weekend.

First thing in the Morning Alex and I have to drive about 4 hours north to catch the SS Badger to cross lake Michigan.  Taking the old barge across is much nicer than driving all the way around the lake. The crossing takes twice as long as it does to take the Lake Express out of Milwaukee, so we can expect to be on the Badger for about 4 hours before we arrive in Luddington, MI.

This will be my first trip to QajaqTC. I’ve always been a bit hesitant to attend a full-on traditional event. As you all know, I’m not hardcore into traditional paddling. I tend to flip back and forth with the wind. Of course over the last couple years it seems everyone is coming around to the idea that paddling is “paddling” and folks on both ends of the spectrum are beginning to come together. It should be a great time to attend. Tom Sharps new DVD, “Modern Greenland Kayaking“, certainly has me pumped up.

This year Greg Stamer will present on his recent trip to Newfoundland which I’m really looking forward too. My task over the weekend will be to shadow Mr. Stamer on some trips which should be fun. Dubside will be attending as well and working with everyone on the Allunaariaqattaarneq – (rope gymnastics for the rest of us). Sounds like a good time. My original goal for the weekend was to take advantage of the experts to learn my balance brace. Since then of course I found it on my own. In fact last night I settled out into the water and just closed my eyes, concentrating on getting my body as far out to a right angle as I could. Of course with my eyes closed I had know idea how far I was drifting. By the time I opened my eyes I had floated half way across the lake!

Oh, and I have to thank Nancy Thorton for coping with my last minute antics. Lord knows, sooner or later things will get back to normal. One thing is sure, I’m anxious to see my weird world settle down as anyone!

If I can I’ll post from the event. Happy Christmas!