Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

My wife is much smaller than me so she sits up front and paddles when she can/ wants to and I sit in the back and do most of the work. I like that arrangement because we get to float & explore together and I prefer a kayak to a canoe If I need to rest or we need some extra oomph to get through the waves or a strong current, she's more than willing and able to kick in and help

When I bought my kayak, I bought one for my daughter also. I tether hers to mine with a length of paracord so that she can't get lost. Long enough that she has some autonomy.

Last summer while at a resort, my daughter wanted to do some paddling with me, but couldn't tether two kayaks. Instead I took a canoe, but used a kayak paddle.

This is my solo kayak. I went with a sit in for, likely for the opposite reasons that you went with a sit-on-top, lol

Probably! I have an ex wife to deal with so sometimes decisions are made that will just make my life easier. As expected, she freaked out when I bought kayaks. I pointed out that we always wear PFDs because it is a good idea and it is the law and that with a SoT if you tip you fall out and float (because you are wearing a PFD). Punctuated with something to the effect of have your lawyer talk to my lawyer.

Aside - everything I do with my daughter I check my legal standing and if it she heads toward an argument, I simply tell her to have her lawyer contact my lawyer. Her lawyer has never contacted my lawyer on these matters, so either she doesn't want the expense of talking to a lawyer or her lawyer has told her that she will not win.

 

[PillO]

I tend to float, most often, in the Taunton, Lees and Cole rivers in Massachusetts. However there are also lots of lakes, reservoirs, small ponds, rivers, streams & tributaries and that I love to explore on my own. I like to find new spots where I can view the coastal wildlife without people & crowds. Just enjoying nature without bothering it. I also do a lot of coastal saltwater floating but haven't gone as far as investing in a seas kayak.. yet
We're taking a long weekend in about 3 weeks and heading up to Lake Champlain for a few days of kayaking there. Maybe we'll have our own Champ sighting

Looks like a cool area for paddling. There is always something to see. Yesterday for some reason, there were plenty of fish coming to the surface; perhaps food at the surface and enough chop and wind that the seabirds were not a threat. Also saw something about 18" long swim very fast under my boat. Looked like it was chasing prey.

Well, except for the one part that sneaks up on you and dumps everyone and throws you straight into broken off 1" thick branches of something. (I lost my glasses, and almost an eye.) And the whirlpool it took me five minutes to intense fighting to break free of. And the fact that about a mile (in short spurts) of the course was too shallow to paddle because of drought conditions (that big hunk of plastic was heavy). And I was in the worst shape of my life, with (unbeknownst to me at the time) diabetes trying to kill me. I got separated from everyone else, and at one point was in the middle of a big, calm spot, not going anywhere, not caring much if I lived. Too tired to paddle. Finally I heard distant laughter and found the strength to move. It took me 15 minutes to go the next quarter mile- all in perfectly calm water with a slight breeze at my back.

Sounds like the guides, the ones you pay to take you safely through, weren't doing their job! I would be pissed.

Jump ahead 15 years to a friend's wedding in the Virgin Islands. I was in *much* better shape (diabetes not even visible in the rear view mirror). I happily spent two hours paddling around (and out of) Caneel Bay in a kayak. Almost got run over by a cruise ship outside the bay. Having the time of my life.

Burlington Bay on L Ontario where I am paddling is an active shipping area. And there are plenty of yahoos on jetskis. Wednesday evening, there is a sailing club that does races and some of those sailors are a bit reckless as well. On the upside, there is a solid police presence. They do plenty of safety checks. I have been "pulled over" for a safety check - make sure that I have a PFD, signalling device(s) (whistle, light etc.), bailing device (required by law but not terrible useful in a SoT), and heaving line. I have seen them tow people in and hear that the tickets they write are sizable (and carry demerit points on your drivers license).

The freight vessels are big so you can see them a long way off. They take time to do everything, so you know where they are going. It is the larger sailboats that worry me most. I am not always confident that they are looking. They will be going a good clip straight at other vessels (including me), making no indication of direction or intent to turn then veering away when only 100 yards away.

 

[BklynKen]

My wife found Havaianas (ahv-ee-ahn'-as (I think)) in Brazil.

Change your 'ee' to 'ay', like the vowel sound in 'try'.

 

[Gaolee]

When I bought my kayak, I bought one for my daughter also. I tether hers to mine with a length of paracord so that she can't get lost. Long enough that she has some autonomy.

Last summer while at a resort, my daughter wanted to do some paddling with me, but couldn't tether two kayaks. Instead I took a canoe, but used a kayak paddle.



Probably! I have an ex wife to deal with so sometimes decisions are made that will just make my life easier. As expected, she freaked out when I bought kayaks. I pointed out that we always wear PFDs because it is a good idea and it is the law and that with a SoT if you tip you fall out and float (because you are wearing a PFD). Punctuated with something to the effect of have your lawyer talk to my lawyer.

Aside - everything I do with my daughter I check my legal standing and if it she heads toward an argument, I simply tell her to have her lawyer contact my lawyer. Her lawyer has never contacted my lawyer on these matters, so either she doesn't want the expense of talking to a lawyer or her lawyer has told her that she will not win.

You are outlining yet another reason I am very happy to have bypassed the ex and gone straight to the far more desirable second wife. Only the second was first. And, ah never mind...

 

[GonePlaid]

Change your 'ee' to 'ay', like the vowel sound in 'try'.

In Japan, they're called "zoris". My dad called them sorry shoes.

 

[PillO]

Change your 'ee' to 'ay', like the vowel sound in 'try'.

I don't know Portuguese (or Brazilian Portuguese) but from using the commonality of romance languages, I expected it would be pronounced something similar to javalenas (the Spanish feral boars).

 

[Kriegs]

You need to try better quality flip flops. My wife found Havaianas (ahv-ee-ahn'-as (I think)) in Brazil. They're amazing. And they really last.

I've tried cheap, expensive, hard, soft, etc. The issue, for me, is the damn thing between my toes jsut drives me nuts and it just chafes and hurts... so like a jazz bass with flats and tort, I could get used to them but I just choose not to use them

I was surprised to find there were sit-on kayaks. I found this out on my first kayaking trip, a father-son whitewater trip.

Whitwater seems like a bad time to learn about sit-on-tops

If you haven't had a physical in a while, go get one. It would have saved me a lot of misery (and from knocking on Death's door, which is a story for another day). And maybe go kayaking.

12 years ago, I was taken from work by ambulance with crushing chest pain. I was lucky that day. It wasn't a full on heart attack, there are something like 14 enzymes released during a heart attack, I had 11 of those levels elevated, so they referred to what happened to me as a "stress induced cardiac event". I weighed 330lbs my blood pressure was consistently 120/80 and, while extremely physically active (Kenpo & Jujitsu instructor, paintball, hiking, swimming) and on a medical diet, I just was unable to lose weight due to a depressed metabolic rate (genetic issue, not due to activity levels). After this scare, I finally gave in and went to visit with the surgeon that my doctor recommended. A year and a half later I underwent Roux and Y bypass surgery and a year after that, I was 150 pounds lighter and today, 10 1/2 later, I remain within 5-10 lbs of my lowest weight and haven't had any other issues (knocks on wood!). I am still extremely active and see my doctor religiously. When my body needs a rest, I listen. When it needs healing, I make sure to take care of it - in fact, just last week, I got the all clear from my Orthopedic and PT Doctors for tendonitis/ tennis elbow in my left arm

Random thought: A Thunderbird would make a really heavy paddle.

Hrmm.....

 

[PillO]

In Japan, they're called "zoris"

Gesundheit

 

[BklynKen]

I don't know Portuguese (or Brazilian Portuguese) but from using the commonality of romance languages, I expected it would be pronounced something similar to javalenas (the Spanish feral boars).

I speak it fluently.

 

[PillO]

I speak it fluently.

Speak IT fluently?

 

[BklynKen]

Speak IT fluently?

That too.

 

[Kriegs]

When I bought my kayak, I bought one for my daughter also. I tether hers to mine with a length of paracord so that she can't get lost. Long enough that she has some autonomy.

Last summer while at a resort, my daughter wanted to do some paddling with me, but couldn't tether two kayaks. Instead I took a canoe, but used a kayak paddle.



Probably! I have an ex wife to deal with so sometimes decisions are made that will just make my life easier. As expected, she freaked out when I bought kayaks. I pointed out that we always wear PFDs because it is a good idea and it is the law and that with a SoT if you tip you fall out and float (because you are wearing a PFD). Punctuated with something to the effect of have your lawyer talk to my lawyer.

Aside - everything I do with my daughter I check my legal standing and if it she heads toward an argument, I simply tell her to have her lawyer contact my lawyer. Her lawyer has never contacted my lawyer on these matters, so either she doesn't want the expense of talking to a lawyer or her lawyer has told her that she will not win.

When I threw my ex wife out, I kept everything as well as custody of my daughter. My ex wife was a real piece of work as well. She objected to everything! Including trying to say that she couldn't attend our daughters HS graduation if I was there because of 'the stress involved with seeing me and my new wife' - keep in mind this is SIX YEARS after our divorce and she's lived with/ dated several men since then - none lasting more than 10-12 months, at the longest) , so I quickly learned to do the same thing as you, "have you lawyer contact mine". My lawyer never once got a call from her lawyer and never once has her demented ravings stopped us from enjoying our lives

My daughter isn't big into kayaking but my (step) son is excited to start coming out with me & my wife this summer, he turns 11 (tomorrow!) and he's ready to start coming out with us, tethered for safety & help while he learns/ gets stronger.

 

[dagrev]

I'd forgotten how ******** DEVO was in the beginning....

Just in the beginning???

I don't like to rag on other's preferences in music, but.... Just me here. If a group needs to goofy props or makeup, it says to me they can't draw or hold someone's attention by the power of their music. I'm old fashioned. I know it and don't care and don't plan on changing.

 

[GonePlaid]

I've tried cheap, expensive, hard, soft, etc. The issue, for me, is the damn thing between my toes jsut drives me nuts and it just chafes and hurts... so like a jazz bass with flats and tort, I could get used to them but I just choose not to use them


Whitwater seems like a bad time to learn about sit-on-tops


12 years ago, I was taken from work by ambulance with crushing chest pain. I was lucky that day. It wasn't a full on heart attack, there are something like 14 enzymes released during a heart attack, I had 11 of those levels elevated, so they referred to what happened to me as a "stress induced cardiac event". I weighed 330lbs my blood pressure was consistently 120/80 and, while extremely physically active (Kenpo & Jujitsu instructor, paintball, hiking, swimming) and on a medical diet, I just was unable to lose weight due to a depressed metabolic rate (genetic issue, not due to activity levels). After this scare, I finally gave in and went to visit with the surgeon that my doctor recommended. A year and a half later I underwent Roux and Y bypass surgery and a year after that, I was 150 pounds lighter and today, 10 1/2 later, I remain within 5-10 lbs of my lowest weight and haven't had any other issues (knocks on wood!). I am still extremely active and see my doctor religiously. When my body needs a rest, I listen. When it needs healing, I make sure to take care of it - in fact, just last week, I got the all clear from my Orthopedic and PT Doctors for tendonitis/ tennis elbow in my left arm


Hrmm.....
View attachment 3470057

Or 2 Steinbergers?

 

[Inky13]

You are outlining yet another reason I am very happy to have bypassed the ex and gone straight to the far more desirable second wife. Only the second was first. And, ah never mind...

As Jack Reacher says: Always get your retaliation in first.

 

[PillO]

Just in the beginning???

I don't like to rag on other's preferences in music, but.... Just me here. If a group needs to goofy props or makeup, it says to me they can't draw or hold someone's attention by the power of their music. I'm old fashioned. I know it and don't care and don't plan on changing.

Hmmm. Counterpoint:

Alice Cooper. Solid rock songs, fantastic players. Over the top theatrics - he gets electrocuted, turned into Frankenstein, and hangs himself!

Warning: Thunderbird content!



But to some extent I agree. If there are over the top theatrics, I wonder if the music is any good but don't discount it out of hand.

I will even go so far as to say that Kiss have a number of good songs and despite reputation, if you try to learn some of the bass parts, Gene is no slouch in comparison to some of his contemporaries that just pound away at roots every song.

 

[dagrev]

Hey you don’t like what you don’t like. Upright tones vary a lot. I personally find I like most of them.
Ever bowed one? Or been close to one being bowed?

No I have not myself. I love them in more of a classical setting. They sound incredible with a bow.

 

[JIO]

Just in the beginning???

I don't like to rag on other's preferences in music, but.... Just me here. If a group needs to goofy props or makeup, it says to me they can't draw or hold someone's attention by the power of their music. I'm old fashioned. I know it and don't care and don't plan on changing.

Devo was an art-rock concept band. The mix or artists and musicians has long been part of rock music. As an artist/musician myself, my comment was positive - I enjoyed how "********" their art concept into music was. This vid was made in the era of MTV slickness of production - again a commentary on that phenomenon. They honed that concept as time went on but the crudeness and direct critique of "MODERN ROCK" in that early example showed the root of what they were presenting. Hats off to Devo and like crazy artist/musicians that made/make a mark on contemporary pop/rock music.

 

[dagrev]

What's it say 'bout me that I knew who they were?

I knew as well, was was going to keep that to myself. But I did not have a record or 8-Track. I promise.

 

[GonePlaid]

Devo was an art-rock concept band. The mix or artists and musicians has long been part of rock music. As an artist/musician myself, my comment was positive - I enjoyed how "********" their art concept into music was. They honed that concept as time went on but the crudeness and direct critique of "MODERN ROCK" in that early example showed the root of what they were presenting. Hats off to Devo and like crazy artist/musicians that made/make a mark on contemporary pop/rock music.

Don't you mean planters off(for DEVO,anyway)?