04/04/26 PRACTICAL PLANNING
I had a great time kayaking with brother Wade and Timothy yesterday (Friday). We were out for a couple of hours or so. Kayaking anywhere is a special, happy place for me. It is refreshing, invigorating, relaxing, restorative, fun, inexpensive, exercising, quiet, exciting, private, social and fun. Then I can also add fishing to my kayaking, and wow, my happy place just took on another dimension. It is a good way to unwind and rewind.
If I were starting out as a young man and wanted a boat, here is what I would do.
I would get a good kayak. For me, that would be a fishing kayak, 12 feet long, sit-on-top, medium weight, comfortable seat, stable enough to stand on, with rod holders, dry cargo area, handles for easy carry. I would look for a used kayak in very good shape. It would be great to have one with pedals, and I would plan a small motor for those times I need help getting home more quickly.
With a kayak, it is easy to launch and pack up to go home. With a kayak, you do not have to spend money for gas. With a kayak, you can go into places that are inaccessible to motorized craft. With a kayak, you get a quiet ride (which is like getting free therapy). With a kayak, you get really good exercise. With a kayak, you are conditioning yourself for an active life as you get older. With kayaking, you will have a variety of adventures. With kayaking, you can get to fish in the shallows, in the marshes, in the canals, in the tight places. And did I mention, it is in the sound of silence.
Here are a few pictures I took on a recent "paddle."
