Hot Stove Paddling
 

TCT,

Since it's the dead of winter, the hot stove season, I sometimes daydream of paddling, especially of paddling when the creeks and streams are running high in the early spring. But there are other aspects of paddling trips?the camaraderie, the wildlife, the scenery, etc.?that attract each of us to canoeing and kayaking. Just to generate some discussion on the board during this time of paddling doldrums, what aspect of paddling trips do you like the most and the least? I hope some of you will chime in. Here are mine:

Like the Most
1. Arriving at the put in, full of anticipation for a great day on the river, and seeing who else has shown up.

2. Rounding a bend of swift-flowing water.

3. High cliffs along the river.

Like the Least
1. Organizing gear the night before a trip.

2. Stiff head winds.

3. Really low water.

Dreaming of spring also
 

Like the Most

1. Paddling a new river with the anticipation of running the rapids ahead.

2. River overnight camping with a fire and good friends.

3. Scenery like the Grand and Allegheny.

Like the Least

1. Cleaning the boat of mud and funk.

2. Really bad takeouts.

3. Shuttles that go wrong.

Likes:

Everything

Dislikes:

1.Price of gas!
2.Forgetting lunch on kitchen counter

More Spring Musings

Good Stuff
1. Scenic river trips.
2. Relaxing lake trips.
3. Class I_II riffles.
4. Stopping for lunch in the middle of nowhere.

Not-so-good Stuff
1. Seeing my kayak leaning against the garage wall, out of action until Spring.
2. Inclement weather that cancels trips.
3. Canypsies!