Been finishing up summer on the river. I enjoy a lifestyle of less busy work
and use my time to enjoy what I like to do. Luckily for me the heat is high
and the rain is low so the grass needs little cutting. (Have not had to cut
it in 5 weeks.) This fits right into my motto Voluntary Simplicity - I'm a
slave to my passions - but not to my house" Was on the river Friday getting
beat
to hell with some class 3 and 4 rapids and rocks as I took a couple of
unexpected swims outside of my kayak. I started to kayak last year. Since my
back
bothers me in hard-shell yaks I use an AIRE inflatable kayak. It is very
cushy, just like a sofa, unless you flip it or fall out...then you have the
rocks
and swift water to deal with. I have thigh straps, but class 3 or 4 tend to
remove you from your yak, thigh straps or not, when you are a beginner.

Felt like some more paddling Sunday with wife, so we went for some class 1
and 2 rapids as my body still had not recovered from the beating on Friday.
While on the river Sunday I was able to assist in 2 different rescues. One was a
canoe team of father and daughter that capsized on a rapid and were
struggling down stream to get to shore. We helped them to shore ferrying them
with
our yaks. I noticed the girl (about 17) was really struggling to keep her head
above water and moaning and groaning a lot. As I took a closer look at her I
saw her PFD (life vest) floating way above her head. On further examination
she only had the bottom strap buckled and the 3 other straps completely
unbuckled as well as the shoulder straps too lose. I told her to adjust her
vest
properly as I paddled away once they were back on shore. I thought to myself,
"what a knucklehead she is" then thought I'd better check my own vest for
fit. My vest was vastly superior to her vest in fit, BUT, my vest was not
adjusted properly as well. It was a semi-new vest that had I used only a
handful of
times on still water more or less and I had never bothered to adjust it
fully. A critical examiner might give it a C or C+ at best for adjustment as my
pfd rode up too high as well. When your in the water you do not want your vest
above the water with your head stuck way down below cause it is too loose
fitting. When you judge others, always remember to take a look at yourself as
well. Paddling is great sport to get into. Much more satisfying and
sustainable that practicing an addiction. I have many positive time fillers
that occupy
my life now. Here is a short list.



Partial List of My Positive Time Filling Activities:

Hiking, Mountain Bike, Climbing Gym and Rock Climbing, Basketball,
Rollerblading, Trail Running, Jet Skiing, Racquetball, Swim, Sun Bath, Fishing,
Canoeing, Skateboarding, Weight Training, Target Shooting, Camping, Jogging,
Kayaking, Motorcycle, Snowshoe, Downhill Skiing, XC Skiing, Yoga, Massage,
Meditation, Dirt Bike, Free Lectures and Movies at a Local University, Snow
Tubing,
Snorkeling / Scuba, Napping or Relaxing in a Hammock, Bar B Q, Picnics,
Library, Spiritual Studies, Free Musical Events and Concerts, Church Services,
Scenic Seasonal Car Trips, Travel.



Good Luck,




V (Male)


For access to my earlier posts on voluntary simplicity, compulsive spending,
debting, compulsive overeating and clutter write: vfr44@.... Any opinion
expressed here is that of my own and is not the opinion, recommendation or
belief of any group or organization.




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