I think.
It's time to give this antiquated vessel to somebody who will use it! Last time it was in the water, my friend Cyndi was alive & her husband Arne tried to paddle around their lake in Fairfield CA. 2002.
It's been on fun adventures (houseboat trips), and scary adventurous ones (class 4+ rapids on the Cache La Poudre River Colorado).
Originated in the East - I bought it used in 1986 from CSU student who climbed & river rat'ed in CO (yes "rat"). (also bought a climbing rope from him).I took it out East w/me & kayaked in Long Island Sound in winter... Breaking ice & snow inside marshlands. Of course I paddled it in the warm summers as well.
Clearly a sentimental item that represents my past life of river ratting, raft guiding on the Dead & Penobscot rivers in Maine. And a now- somewhat tamed personality- of "no fear". Hate to say this... But I think I need a keel, an either sit-on-top or sea, kayak - now for my adventure level.
No spray skirt or float bags, or paddle (keeping my gorgeous Mitchell wood paddle).
I mourn the letting go of this symbol of my past, but realize it's nearly a dusty trophy - trying to prove to myself & backyard tours that I WAS this person in the past. Perhaps someone will breath life back into it's hull... & it will open up a space for a shiny new adventurous toy to enter my world.
*sigh*
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