KAYAKING

Feckless Piker(FP): Oddvark and I just got back from kayaking in the Weeki-Wachee River with Mountain Man Tom (MMT) and The Pater Familias(TPF). We had a terrific time and observed a good deal of wildlife.

Oddvark Contremundo(OC): The water was crystal clear and nice and cool. Just right for these hot summer days.

FP: Yes, and the manatees were out in abundance. They were swimming right by our kayaks.

OC: Those things are huge and gentle. They don't move very fast either. It's no wonder they get hit by motorboats so often.

FP: Yes, it's a shame. They don't harm anyone. They just swim and eat plants.

OC: We also saw lots of mullet, a big, round turtle and many large, blue herrons.

FP: It was tough kayaking towards the springs against the current. Great aerobic exercise. We got a little more than half-way to Weeki-Wachee Springs when the weather started tuning ugly.

OC: Yeah, I was getting a little nervous with all that thunder and lightning. After all, we were just sitting there in the river.

FP: We were too far from home base to make it back without exposing ourselves to the elements. So MMT suggested we get under some trees on the bank and wait out the worst of the storm. As it turned out, this was the best strategy. MMT has a good instinct for that sort of thing.

OC: After the storm passed, MMT & TPF went swimming in a deep, clear water hole that was created in a bend of the river. It looked so refreshing that Feckless and I ended up jumping in too.

FP: There were no gators or snakes because the water is too cold.

OC: I hate snakes!

FP: We saw nary a snake the entire weekend. Just fish, manatees, turtles and birds.

OC: At night we got to see the new James Bond film Casino Royale. I like the new James Bond almost as much as Sean Connery. He's the best since Sean Connery.

FP: I agree, he is the best since Sean Connery. I should explain that the four of us rented a house on the river. It was very convenient because it had a boat ramp for launching our kayaks. Moreover, after a long day of kayaking on the river, we were able to return to all the comforts of home. Oddvark and I enjoy camping, but I have to admit that having air conditioning,refrigeration,hot showers, and cable TV waiting for you after a long day on the river can be very relaxing.

OC: Yeah, that chicken casserole TPF made was fantastic.

FP: I can't complain about all the Kamakazi Cocktails either. They really helped to soothe the sore muscles.

OC: You were putting away the Jim Beam and ginger too.

FP: Yeah, I wasn't feeling any pain, that's for sure.

OC: What was that other movie we saw?

FP: You mean Alone in the Wilderness. The documentary of Richard Proenneke building a cabin by hand next to a remote lake in central Alaska. Now that guy had some outdoors skills. He was a master carpenter. He was a hunter and fisherman. He knew how to plant and grow vegetables. He knew how to cook. On top of everything, he did a great job of making this film using an old-fashioned 8mm motion picture camera. This guy had a thousand skills that he put to work when he moved to Alaska and built his cabin in the wilderness at the age of 50. On top of that, he ended up living in the cabin for 35 years. The cabin is now a national monument in one of Alaska's national parks. A fitting tribute to a man who displayed tremendous resourcefulness and courage.

OC: Oh yeah, that guy is my hero. He had more talent in one of his little fingers than I have displayed in all my life.

FP: Don't get down on yourself Oddvark. You have some talents of your own. After all, how many people can fill up a hot air balloon and float through the air solely with the aid of a case of beer and a few cans of baked beans.

OC: That's true, but I sure would like to be able to build a cabin.

FP: Well, your storage unit is a little like Dick Proennecke's cabin. It's about the same size. It's made with corrugated metal rather than wood. You don't have a proper out-house with a half-moon door, but you do have the public library washroom.

OC: Yeah, I guess I'm an urban survivor rather than a wilderness survivor.

FP: That's right, you have your own qualities.

OC: Still, I'm not half the man Dick Proennecke was.

FP: Who is Oddvark, who is?