5-29-12 Think possible! We do!

A couple of blogs ago (as in last summer) I happened to mention that our first time kayaking was a fantastic experience (except for the fact that Ron would never do what I told him to do - imagine that!).  The second time was even better and by the end of the summer we were thinking kayaking is really fun.  We started thinking about getting a couple of kayaks...o.k....I was thinking and Ron was saying, "Oh, no, I see another project ahead."  When I looked across from our campsite I could see this fine vintage vehicle with this tiny kayak on top.  If those folks could carry that kayak we should have no problem.  Think possible!!!  Well, the first problem to overcome was finding a flat surface upon which to place a kayak.  We thought about putting one or two on top of the Lazy Daze but there are too many solar panels up there to make room for a kayak.  So, since our little 14 year old Escort wagon (fondly known as the Escargot) had expressed an interest in moving south across the border we let her go and replaced her with our new little workhorse, a Subaru Forester.  Now, we have have no limits on our adventures.  We can tow it (manual transmission), travel rough roads with it (great ground clearance and all wheel drive); load it up with cargo; and best of all, put a couple of kayaks on top.

We turned to our good friends from Minnesota, Dave and Sandy, for towing advice since they have much experience in this area and since they would be in Arizona about the time we'd be needing help.  And, boy, did we need help.  They had recently purchased a Subaru Outback to tow behind their Lazy Daze so Dave knew what to expect in the set up process.  Lucky for us, as the installer did a very poor job of tow brake installation on our set up that had to be monitored and corrected at every step (by Dave and Ron).  Without Dave's help we might have been heading north with brakes not working on the tow vehicle.  He spotted the problems right away.  Thanks Dave!!!  Thanks too, from Jane to Sandy, for my little guide sheet on how to get the tow ready.  Good advice is always welcome!

 In the process of gathering information on kayaks I discovered, much to my surprise, that there's a big kayaking community in Arizona.  One of the clubs is based out of nearby Lake Pleasant.  That made justification for buying kayaks much easier.  We could use them all year!  Kayaks were a done deal at that point.  Each year there is a paddle fest at the lake and I had my shiny red and white Delta Twelve Ten kayak in time to take part in some of the free clinics offered that day.  I learned how to get back in my kayak if I have a wet exit...not gracefully, but in, and that's all that counts.  I also got my first exposure in learning how to roll a kayak.  Ally and I are going to take a two day rolling clinic when we get to Jackson Hole. She's thrilled, I'm sure.  Hanging with Grandma can be a bit of a challenge sometimes.  I also discovered that for paddles across open water in the wind it's nice to have a long sea kayak with a rudder.  Mine is about 13' but for open water 17' is even better (but too big to carry on the Forester with Ron's kayak - always watching weight). The ranger at the lake had purchased a 12 year old 17' sea kayak from another paddler because it was a great deal.  He found out the kayak was designed for a smaller person and that he was sitting only an inch off the water.  That's a little close.  He was willing to sell it to me for what he paid if I liked it.  Mellow Yellow (we're keeping her name) is fast and straight in the wind and felt great so she's now sitting in our dining room for the summer.  Finally, I've found a good use for a dining room!  She was a little too long to use as a coffee table in the living room.  Now, we'll have three kayaks so friends can join us.  Seems to me we may need to make that four!  The ranger says you can never have too many kayaks.  I think I'm a believer.  A really good side benefit of acquiring toys is that Ron has lots of projects to keep him

busy.  On the negative side we're running out of storage real estate on our garage ceiling.

Ally went with us to paddle fest.  She was hoping that she might get the chance to try an SUP - that's lingo for stand-up paddle board.  We thought she might get to try one for a few minutes but we didn't expect that she'd be able to spend several hours on one.  She got to try both paddle boards and kayaks that day.   She announced that when she owns the Lazy Daze and has a tow vehicle that her husband can have a kayak but she wants a paddle board.  Planning ahead!

 We're going to a paddle fest in Jackson and they're going to have inflatable paddle boards there to try.  Maybe that fourth kayak will be a paddle board.  No, I'm thinking four kayaks plus a paddle board...a virtual flotilla!

Ally has returned home from her Odyssey of the Mind World competition at Iowa State U. and school is out.  She had a grand time there.  Her Dad describes her team as the "dysfunctional five" with a smile on his face.  I think the highlight of the competition was the collecting and trading of pins from all the different teams from around the world.  She must have at least fifteen pounds of them.  They placed closer to the bottom than the top but it was a great experience for all of them, including her Dad.  Finally, we can hit the road.  This is our annual photo of the not so wide awake parents sending Ally off on her summer (her whole summer break this year) adventure with Grandma and Pop.  There's only one kayak on top.  Ron's has come in twice with damage.  We're hoping the third time will be the charm.  We'll be picking it up from the REI store in Bozeman, MT later in June.  

Lily is one sad puppy.  She's been spending her days with Charley and Denver while her Mom and Dad work and Ally goes to school.  She's going to miss Ally and her pals.

 Willie is singing "On the Road Again" as we pull out at 6 a.m...on time for once.  We have three long days of driving to get to our summer home in the Tetons.

Our first night's stop was at Jacob Lake NFS campground about 40 miles north of the Grand Canyon north rim.  For our RV friends....the sites are easy, level, pull-throughs.  Nice. The elevation is close to 8,000 feet.

It's great to be sitting among the cool pines.  We're lucky to be able to migrate north for the summers.

Denver and Charley love life on the road.  Different places, different smells, and their peeps with them all the time.  It's a great dog's life.  They just wish Lily, Hannah, Cozie, and Zoe could join in all the fun.

Tomorrow we stop at Yuba Lake State Park in Utah.  It's our regular stop going to and from the Tetons.  Now, for a good night's sleep.