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James
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Sum Dum Guy
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   Topic: French Onion Soup
Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 9:35am |
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I don't know how many people care about this but I thought I would toss a few JP style tidbits of river passion that I have encountered over the last few months.
As some of you know I am going to be a dad in the beginning of April so lately I have been pretty busy around the house and most of my time has been dialed into getting projects done that I know I will not have time for soon. That means a few things for boating, first the obvious one, I don't get to boat as often and that likely will not change, and second when I can slip away it's not going to be for runs that are a long way away since the time is limited.
This has ushered in a few thoughts that I figured I would share with folks. As a dad to be the very first thought that came into my head was, Oh man I want to take my family down the river and I want my kids to have the opportunity to explore the river at any level they desire. The second thought was oh man I hope I don't have to be in a raft the rest of my life carting around bologne and cheese. Here are two things I have found true and I have not even started my family yet - so folks like Courtney and Dave will laugh since I might be a little premature on this stuff. All the same I think it applies to everyone out there single, married and or families.
Don't under estimate the fun that runs can offer in a new craft that you have just picked up. Since I am limited on time the Green has become a staple for me. I can easily be at the putin in 5 minutes. Since mid Dec. I have done 4 runs on it and all 4 runs were in different crafts. The best runs were in crafts that I had the least amount of experience in. I rowed it for the first time this weekend, and had a blast. Packed some french onion soup, roast beef sammies and snacks down for a mid run lunch, and it was a great relief to a otherwise normal run. I squirted it a few weeks ago and although I could not possibly pack snacks into that boat both were learning experiences that I think hold the key to what I enjoy most about the river. Diversity, Exploring to learn and all mixed into a watery package that I think is fun! So if your short on time and don't have hours to drive for creeking and your bored of getting that same old boat out try mixing it up. Borrow a raft, squeeze into a squirt boat or find a way to spice it up a bit.
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PowWrangler
PP Junkie
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
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Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 9:50am |
You'll get out less, that's for sure....well unless your Harms or a few other notables. You'll also lower your standards a bit. If you have kids, just getting out feels good, even if it's on easier runs. After having one, I still get out enough to get down Robe, still have a season pass, etc. It can happen. Check back with me, though, after number two arrives in June. Kids are pretty damn fun though, you'll love it.
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dave
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D4
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Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 10:54am |
Ya, your not going to be worrying about boating when you have your baby, because your going to be having such a great time being a new dad!
I am hoping to get out with you on your raft before the baby comes, I have always wanted to try R-2. Having a nice lunch and doing the whole run in comfort sounds like fun.
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Nomad
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Jed Hawkes
Rio Banditos
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Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 11:22am |
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First, congratulations James of your Father-to-be status (arguably you're already a father but that's a little more philosophical that I'd like to get right now).
Second, diversifying your whitewater experience is something I've been lobbying for quite some time now. By changing your craft the paddler is able to gain a new insight into the dynamics of whitewater.
Rafting, although not the technical dance of kayaking offers many new opportunities, and forces the paddler to look at rapids in a different light, and to digest the information differently. And with rafting there are so many different ways to do it; paddle raft, rowing, R-2, and even R-1ing all adding a different perspective on that piece of Hypalon/pvc.
For those of you who have never tried it, OC-1 and C-1 will defiantly turn that run that has been below your skill level for years into a white knuckle hairboating thrill ride. A heightened center of gravity and one blade changes the way you look at rapids.
And lets not forget the modern playboats crazy grandfather, squirtboating. Think about it as kayaking in three dimensions.
As far as the raft full of kids, juice boxes, and ham sammich's goes, just remember you can always put them in a ducky.
This summer I spent a fair amount of time with Hans and his two kids and the raft was more than a whitewater battle cruiser, it was also a frequent way to go fishing or paddle down to the rope swing on Northwest Lake. I've also seen an old bucket boat sitting in the backyard and during gatherings the children flock to it and use it as a hypalon playground. I've heard stories of filling bucket boats with water and using them as kiddie pools as well (something to consider next time you see an old Achilles on Craigslist).
I also think that if the kids take to the river at all it's likely that they will soon want to be rid of the rubber shackles of the raft (mostly to have freedom from listening to paddle commands from mom or dad). So perhaps in the beginning the raft will be where it's at, but I would imagine that after see a couple of pics of dad running - to use to the modern nomenclature - "The Brown" they'll probably get stoked to try something else.
Good luck with the child rearing James, I can't wait to meet him/her.
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The line will become apparent
978-273-7723
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James
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Sum Dum Guy
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
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Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 11:43am |
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She's a Gal, (Ava Pearl Amandus), I liked Ingrid Pearl Amandus but lydia said none of our kids could have the initials IPA for river camp/culture reasons.
I already consider myself a father by status not experience. None the less I thought I would share, because all too often I have gone down the river and thought to myself, why would you raft when you could kayak, or why IK when you could... I was way off and the last few weeks have been fun to experience first hand how great the river can be on any craft, and how important it is to frequent various other modes of downriver recreation. I figure that she will be at least 2 or 3 before we even zip on a PFD, but that's a whole different topic, much like the discussion of conception. Thanks for the input Dave and Of course Jed we will be eager to show off our little bundle of Joy with our whitewater fam!
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franzhorner
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outdoors music woodwork
Joined: 01 Mar 2005
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Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 1:29pm |
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That hot soup and sammitch combo was friggin great!!! I'm glad you are a rafter now James. The sport is better for it....
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MORE RAIN PLEASE
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Wiggins
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Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 4:25pm |
I'll second giving the OC1 a shot as great way to change how you look at the river. Finding dry lines, making offside moves, and having incredible leverage on just one side will have you scrambling to make it down rapids you used to find mundane.
I have two of canoes now, so if anyone wants to give it a try let me know.
Kyle
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I smell bacon
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Courtney
Big Boofer
Whitewater,sea kayaking, snowboarding, backpacking.
Joined: 22 Mar 2005
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Posted: 11 Jan 2011 at 8:02am |
I know your really getting excited about Ava coming. Once we had our kids rooms finished before they were born, I used to just sit and imagine them being there in the crib. You're going to have so many good time with Ava.
When we had out first we didn't get out much, maybe twice a month. As the kids got a little older we started getting out 3 or 4 times a month. We still don't get to paddle as much as we'd like but that's ok. We have fun times out as a family too.
We ended up purchasing two two-man inflatables so we could take the kids out. We also have a canoe but we find the IK's are more comfortable and we can take them down bigger rapids with the kids. Personally I find it to be alot of fun in one of those things. It puts a whole new perspective on the river. Water shooters are a must as well. Kids can go all day with those and if there's more kids on rafts than there will be an all out war. Andy has paddled his kayak several times on the lower Sultan now and on the Sky between Sultan and Monroe. He loves kayaking!! It will be some time before we let him move up though. He has a long ways to go but it's so much fun seeing the river through a 6 year olds eye's. Our 4 year old, Katey, will sit and paddle the kayak in the pool but we always have to have a hand on the boat. They both love sitting on the front or back while we paddle around though. We got them into swimming lesson as soon as they could take them which was 3 years old since we knew they'd be around water alot. We're really glad we did. Just take your time and don't rush her to get into anything to quickly. You'll know when the time is right. You'll also be enjoying time with Ava on snowshoe's, skii's and hiking. Although be prepared to go slow.
You'd better let us knw the minute she's born.
Courtney
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GHannam
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Posted: 13 Jan 2011 at 8:06am |
Congrats James on your Fatherhood and the coming of your baby girl, Ava! And thank you for your thoughts on trying new crafts, and thoughts you've had while preparing for your family. I'm always encouraged when I see people with kids/families, still able to make it out doing whatever sport(s) they enjoy. I look forward to hearing any other thoughts/experiences you have while savouring parenthood and paddling!
Oh, and I love the Green-- I run it frequently myself. Keep me posted on when you're going? I'm almost always up for a run on any section of it. 
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tiziak
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Posted: 13 Jan 2011 at 9:33am |
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Are you running the gorge now?
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If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
Daniel Patrinellis
360.434.4616
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James
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Sum Dum Guy
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Posted: 13 Jan 2011 at 10:03am |
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I am actually at work right now...
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Courtney
Big Boofer
Whitewater,sea kayaking, snowboarding, backpacking.
Joined: 22 Mar 2005
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Posted: 13 Jan 2011 at 4:20pm |
Raising children is an add thing. You can read books and talk to friends, but no people are alike, including children. What works on one won't work with the other, whitewater included. We took the path of introducing the kids to whitewater in a canoe, now we have a couple of inflatable kayaks, and our 6 year old has a hardshell. We have asked him if he wants to learn to roll, but he is not ready for it yet. Remember they will want to play a lot and have short attention spans. 3 hours on a river is a lifetime to them. When we take them down the river we plan on stopping quite opften so they can just go exploring on the banks at a sandbar. We are constantly looking for people who want to do picnicking type easy runs with kids, let us know id you want to do something like that.
Jimmy
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Kendi
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Posted: 13 Jan 2011 at 5:06pm |
Congrats on the impending arrival! I've never been a kayaker- only a rafter, but one of the coolest things I've ever heard was my son (who was 8) say "When I grow up I want to be a raft guide like my mom".
I've taken all my boys (now ages 5, 7 and 9) on the river with me and loved every minute of it. Seeing the wonder through their eyes, makes all the planning and hassle of bringing kids along worth it.
SYOTR
Kalli
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