Kettle

Couldn't have been a better day on the Kettle!

You can tell by my smile I'm back in my boat! The plan today was to play the first waves then change out to my new creek boat to get some time in it. I couldn't be happier with how my Habitat performed today! I absolutely love it!

Released!

Today I was released off of restrictions from my injury. I planned well for this day. Last night I stopped at Midwest Mtn and picked up a WS Habitat to try out today. It felt right the first time I sat in it at the store. When I first launched today my butt immediately loved the way it felt under me. I gave my hips a few shake a shakes to feel the balance and it felt good. I could even surf and spin a wave with it...little waves on Da Verm today. What I really liked about it was the edge. I could lean it way over on turns and feel solid. Since I didn't have much water to play with at the Verm I purposfully tried to hit features badly to see how it reacted...it breezed thru everything. It's going to take a little getting used to the extra length. I have more bootie in the back to think about. I realized that when I paddle my ZG I am aware of the exact length of my stern so when I throw it around I know exactly where it's going in the water. Anyway bring on the sissy creeks for starters..I'm ready now.
As for my injury they sent me home with a bug zapper (Tens unit) and a neck stretcher (cervial traction set) and said I'm good to go as long as I do my exercises.
SYOTR!

Cold Outside...Hey That's Cool with me...

My physical therapist said one more session next thursday and I should be done. Still a bit weak to paddle yet but with the exercises I should be able to next weekend. I'm not minding the cold out as it's freezing the run off and hopefully holding it until I can paddle. Rain is forcasted for next wed. and thursday...I'm looking at friday as my first day out paddling! It can't come soon enough as I am incredibley stoked to get started after last weekend!!!!!

New Link

I added the link to Team Midwest Mountaineering. Check out their new site. Looks great!

Two more Shirt Design's

One of my goals this year is to make up T Shirt design's for each river. Not nessesarily each river I paddle. Watching John, Ryan, Joerg, and Cliff run the Lester was AWESOME but I doubt I'll ever be able to run it. Anyway here's two more. Words go over the heart on the front and photo on the back.

Just another beautiful Monday...

I met Caleb down at the Verm today and gave my camera another try out. Weather was beautiful and the water was well over 300cfs. Yes I am getting impatient about not being able to paddle....soon! S Bend was the wave of the day and Graeme rocked it! Hopefully the next paddling photos you see on my blog will be with my butt firmly in my boat!

This is the backside of S Bend. Graeme in the hole.

There's a Feeling I Get...When I Look to the West. and My Spirit is Crying for Leaving...

As I drove away from the Lester River those words from a Led Zep song came into my mind. My spirit always longs to leave...I attribute it to the Gypsy in me. Today turned out to be just a fantastic day even though I didn't get to paddle I did get to try my new camera out. Bryan, Caleb and I headed north to the Knife river. They ran it and I hiked up river to catch them on the run. I need to apologise to Amy right now...I think I wrecked your husband by taking him to Stoney Point while it was going off...there was a glazed look in his eyes while watching the waves come in. I said my goodbyes to Caleb and Bryan there and went to see what the Lester looked like. I ran into the D-Town Crew and friends and was able to shoot them running the drops at a nice high level. What an absolutely beautiful day!