Stumbling into Heaven
Published May 29, 2013 | 
Sometimes I breathe you in
And I know you know
- tori amos
I’m regularly rambling on about the art of finding adventure near to home. Of course it helps if you live near one of the premier parks in the mid-west. Still, most people drive through and by our amazing natural areas most of their lives and rarely stop. I’m always amazed that the majority of us are oblivious of our natural world.
Yesterday when driving past the park myself on the way back home, I caught the sight of some large white birds in a slough that makes up part of the Merrimac preserve just south-east of Devil’s Lake State Park. The slough is created by streams flowing down from the distant bluffs, meandering and making their way to the Wisconsin River at a place called Moon Valley. The problem I have of course, is when my curiosity is peaked, I have little choice but to follow it through. I needed to see what sort of large white birds where out there. Continue reading
Posted in Enviroment, My Weird Life, Nature & Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation, Quixotica | 
devils lake, hiking, wildlife, wisconsin | 
Leave a commentCan’t See The Water For The Trees
Published May 25, 2013 | 
Last night I had a dream / You were in it, I was in it with you
Everyone that I knew /And everyone that you know was in my dream
I saw a vampire / I saw a ghost
Everybody scared me but you sacred me the most
- randy numan
I’ve spent a lot of time writing about products over the years. I’ll do it again. Still to be honest, I must be getting old.. or maybe I’m just drowning in the product placement seas. When browsing the blogs, Facebook and the rest of the social media universe I have to admit I’m getting a little burned out on the newest and latest thing. I mean, can’t we just go paddling? Continue reading
Posted in advertising, Coaching, Commentary & Rants, My Paddling, Outdoor Recreation, Paddle Gear, Paddling, Reviews | Coaching, Reviews, social media | Leave a commentLearning to Learn
Published March 9, 2013 | 
Last evening Sue and I started a beginners fencing class at the local university. It was interesting to be on the student side of the fence. As a coach, you can become so used to examining your students learning styles and their progressions that you often forget your own. Coaches and teachers don’t always make the best students. 
Continue reading
Posted in Coaching, Fitness, Learning, Outdoor Recreation, Paddling, Random Thoughts | auditory, Coaching, discovery learning, fencing, kinesthetic, Learning, learning styles, visual | 3 CommentsYour Big Adventure
Published February 28, 2013 | 
Can’t believe it’s that time again! Here in central Wisconsin Canoecopia is right around the corner. March 8th through the 10th. It’s time once again to see all the gear and hear about all the great adventures folks have had in the great outdoors. It’s also a great time to mention that some of the best adventures happen right outside your front door. Adventure is just a state of mind. Continue reading
Black Leather Pimps
Published January 12, 2013 | 
Boogie nights / Aint no doubt we are here to party
Boogie nights / Come on now got to get it started
Dance with the boogie, get down
‘Cos boogie nights are always the best in town – heat wave
It’s one of those things you’d never notice. I mean, you don’t notice at first. It sort of sneaks up on you. You see, I’m 5’7″ verging on 5’8″ and she’s 5’8″ verging on 6 feet. As I said, you wouldn’t notice, not barreling down the hiking trails in your tennis shoes, talking across a table or paddling a kayak. It’s something you really only notice when you’re up close, really close.. Then you suddenly feel the urge to ask, “Hey, what are you standing on?” Still, what’s an inch between friends? Continue reading
Don’t Harass The Eagles
Published January 11, 2013 | 
I’m not talking about a wade in the shallows
I’m not living there any more
You can spend your life fighting the river
Or you could look me right in the eyes – shearwater
This time of year, the lakes are the domain of the fisher people and the rivers are a risky proposition as well. I’ll tell you one thing though, every year when I see the Bald Eagles gathering on the Wisconsin river I feel an urge to hop in my kayak and paddle out for a visit. Thing is, that would be a bad idea.
In the winter eagles are already stressed by the cold and scarcity of food. Scaring eagles into flight or away from their food could deprive them of the energy they need to maintain their body temperature. So as much as I like to watch the eagles, I’ll be doing it from shore. Continue reading
Posted in Learning, Nature & Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation, Paddling, Photography, Random Thoughts | Leave a comment
I know, I know.. I’ve heard it before.. “All boats are good boats.” but when I see kayaks that will do this it gives me the willies! I mean I get it, recreational kayaks are popular and for some unfathomable reason most people survive their experience. Still, when I think of the people who rent kayaks like this regularly all over the world in all sorts of weather and conditions, many who can barely swim… not to mention the sketchy “life jackets” they are given.. I’m surprised people aren’t dropping like flies.. or is that sinking like stones? Well, if your going out in one of these things, only go out in warm, flat water.. and stay close to the shore. Humans are amazingly lucky creatures sometimes…..