Work Week

Well, it was back to work big time this week.  Tuesday school started back up, and all the classes are quickly coming to an end so it it time for the mad rush to get everything in. On the home front I have a few projects going.  I have built the frame of the shed and have cut the rubber for the walls and roof.  Now I need to put it all together.

I am also in the process of gluing some of the outfitting in the Outrage.  Also trying to set up a put in on Big creek so we can get some good class 3 paddling in.

Ohio

After  my post Friday, Allison and I decided to go to Ohio for Easter.  We left home at 730 and got to my folk's house after dropping Allison off at her parent's house a bit before 3 am.  The Drive totally sucked- rain and wind the whole 400 miles.  We had a great time seeing family, but I now realize just how much I did not get done over break that I had planned on doing.  It is going to be a busy week.

Conference Track meet is next week.  We have a lot of work to do before the kids are ready...

Rainy Day

Alli and I went down the Dan yesterday.  I found myself getting frustrated and struggling with my new boat.  I thought the learning curve would be shorter being that I have paddled most of my life. I was wrong.  I tried to surf the playwave and was rejected twice.  I did manage an accidental crosspry to right myself after nearly losing it working on hitting eddies.

Today I had planned to do some work to the outfitting on the boat and finishing the shed.  It is raining.

2days in the boat

I have paddled the Mohawk  twice now.  The river is up running 400cfs or so.  Day one found me out at The Dan River Company on a nice Sunday afternoon planning on an up stream paddle.  The volume of water changed my mind, so I decided to piddle around by the shop.  I eddie hopped  up to the first rapid and practiced my ferries.  Back and forth I went across the current between the eddies on either side.  I practiced a few peel outs but was underwhelmed with my ability to do so.

Monday Allison and I paddled the six mile trip from 89 back to DRC.   The water was still over 350cfs so the normal lines we run in summer were gone.  It was nice not to have to worry about getting stuck in the shallows, but The Flipper and Wandle's Wave were blown out.  The Play Wave was fast, deep and powerful.  In a new boat I questioned my ability to get through it without a swim.  I did manage to bomb right through though.

It was a nice paddle and I have learned a good deal more about my boat.  I managed a low brace at Wandle's   that nearly had my onside gunnel in the water.  I really need to work on my forward stroke so I can build speed without having to make corrective strokes. White Water boats really make you paddle with correct form.  I can get away with a lot more slop in my forward stroke on flat water boats.  My cross draw felt pretty good, so I was pleased with that.

I have been reading up on Bob Foote's technique section on his website and in the next few days will have Alli video me paddling so I can further analyse my stroke.

Prom

Allison and I are getting ready for prom.  Dinner will be at Oso's with a couple other teachers.  We are going to have to leave a bit early as Alli is singing at church in the morning.  After church, the river...

new boat!

Yes sir, I got that bad boy.  Sad part is it will be the better part of a week before it sees the water.

Video?

So I am trying to imbed this video

Getting a Canoe

Spring Fever is in full swing.   I am going Saturday to look at a Mad River Outrage.  It is a serious White Water solo canoe.  This boat belongs to a class 5 paddler who has taken it down the New and other class 5 rivers.  I can not wait to get in this boat.  Snow Creek, here I come...

I also found an old wood Old Town on craigslist today.  I way pick that up and get way over my head in woodworking this summer.