Archive for July, 2009

You either run or you hide
Now you slip now you slide
You say you will, but you won’t
You either do or you don’t
– buckingham

Things come up and things change.  That’s the nature of life.  Unfortunately things did come up and Kelly let me know today he won’t be able to make the Scotland trip.  That’s too bad too, I’m sure we’d have had a flippin’ good time.  Ok then, we rearrange the pieces on the chess board and have another look.   Can I do this solo?  Why not?  Maybe another crazy paddler would jump in and join me, if only on the slightly open water bits. We’ll see.

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Save, save, ohhhhhh, save me
Don’t let me face my life alone
Save, save, ooh…
I’m naked and I’m far from home
Queen

I’ve read that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution rescues on average 22 people a day in the UK.  I certainly don’t want to be one of them.  If I’m going to visit with those brave (and possibly a bit crazy) volunteers of the RNLI I’d rather do it while warm and dry.  With that in mind I’m checking in with the life boat stations along our route to let them know what we are planning and also to arrange a visit or two so we can share some of their stories with you along the way.  The crew at Loch Ness Life Boat have welcomed  Kelly and I to drop in already.  I’m looking forward to that!

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• Quix Blog – Paddle, Pack, Puma – http://digg.com/u19R9a 06:09:02
• … and you thought I was kidding about those unmarked helicopters out on the ocean eh? http://digg.com/u19RBp 06:30:20
• Is there anything more lovely than a cloud? – Ask Climate Progress – http://digg.com/u19RCu 06:37:33
• Quix Time Warp – for love nor money – how a paddling trip sneaks up on you.. seems appropriate again. – http://digg.com/u19RRs 08:30:14
• Isle Royale – "You may be eaten by wolves" – http://digg.com/u19RS8 08:32:35
• Going to have to visit the folks at the Loch Ness RNLI – http://digg.com/u19RT8 08:37:08
• Sent out a quick email to see if the Loch Ness Station would mind a visit. 08:44:54
• nice 3mile run through the hills in 81f.. feels great… well, it does when your done! 13:15:10
• oh, time to go to the "big city" and play urban mall rat.. and stop by Rutabaga and pick up my prodigal paddle.. 13:24:18
• www man vilas zoo closed! guess we go play on the swings 17:44:33

We love to laugh / Loud and long and clear
We love to laugh / So ev’rybody can hear
The more you laugh / The more you fill with glee
And the more the glee / The more we’re a merrier we!
- from mary poppins

Yesterday I taught down at Rutabaga in Madison.  I had just a single student.  I’m not sure if it’s the economy or simply the luck of my draw that I’ve taught very small classes at the shop this year.  It’s ok of course.  Having a day with 2 or 3 students or one in this case means you can really spend time working with them in a very personal and useful way.  Yesterday we practically laughed our way through the class both having our own reasons for simply being happy to be alive and in the water on such a warm and magnificent day.

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• I'm more a wine person than beer, but I discovered I do like Leffe Blonde… 19:16:11
• Watched Jon Bowermaster's Terra Antarctica last evening..Amazing Stuff.. more on that later.. 02:26:31
• Quix Blog – A Leap Once Leapt – Preparing for Scotland – http://digg.com/u19OEL 06:11:25
• Just tossed my Rockpool Alaw Bach in the back of the jeep this morning… 3 piece kayaks are sweet! 06:51:50
• wisconsin state patrol is out welcoming visitors on I90 … 08:08:46
• intro class over at rutabaga.. sent away happy new paddler… 13:37:46
• Oops left my Werner Ikelos at Rutabaga.. Hopefully it just got put away somewhere nice… 15:29:02
• Yippee, paddle found and put safely away… 15:32:44

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment’s gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
– kansas

It’s that time again.  The time where I can’t let another day go by without making one decision or another about my upcoming paddling adventure. This time of course,  it’s Scotland.  Some of it is easy enough.  Buy this, buy that, read this, read that.. take notes!  What is different is that with a little experience I’m trying to travel as lightly as I possibly can.  Traveling light is harder than you may think given my past BCU training.  You come to believe that anything less than everything is irresponsible. I still remember the days when I carried practically 2 weeks worth of gear just to teach a class because that’s what a “hard core” coach did. Or at least I thought so.  Read the rest of this entry »

• Quix Blog – Unmarked Helicopters & Cosmic Pachyderms – "Regardless of what madness you conspire…"- http://digg.com/u19KdP 06:53:34
• Quix Time Warp – Turning Your Kayak in Wind – http://digg.com/u19KpC 07:52:12
• i guess i should get used to blog comments posted on facebook… I need more eyes.. 07:53:42
• working away while wiggin out to David Bowie's Moss Garden – http://digg.com/u19Kx0 08:32:49
• freaking wisconsin paddlers!!! – Middleton Rafter Rescued In Alaska – http://digg.com/u19LE5 09:54:09
• "Yes" is the answer.. and you know that… for sure! 10:26:44
• Vacuumed my office… now I can knit a dog hair sweater.. A Canine Cilice? Corporal Mortification of the Prelature of Lupus Versipellis? 11:23:14
• ok, so $527 to Glasgow from Chicago.. 650 from Madison… (not including $200 in fees) let the spending begin! 11:54:22
• Oh, Sunday 8/2 I'm going to stand at the Ben Lawry fountain of knowledge.. 12:11:18
• Just read waves begin on fresh water before salt water… ah? really? 13:32:19