Anyway, I was very proud of myself. I actually remembered (mostly) how to inflate the chambers. Don't tell anyone that I forgot one of the smaller ones that serves to hold up the front decking....guess I didn't notice that too much. Well, not until I went to let all the air out and started counting how many chambers there were. Oops!
Thanks Liz and Birdie for their input. I am happy that I went with the Advance Element....the smaller kayaks would not have been comfortable for my legs. It paddles easier than my Sea Eagle and I have less paddle "drip" on me. It also travels through the wind better. It feels more stable than my hard shell kayak but not as rock solid as the Sea Eagle. I also am going to have to think about if I want to take in down the rivers in this area. It would do fine in the Silver River or some of the other rivers I have seen pictures of in the FL area but the rivers around here usually have large sections of rocky rapids. Problem is the rocks in this area are often sharp shale and flat creek rock with all sort of edges and points instead of those smooth round granite things. 
The bottom of the Sea Eagle is designed to travel through white water and bounce over and/or off rocks. I also am glad that I will have the Sea Eagle to use when I want to take a dog or two with me (Well people could come, too...just not all at the same time.) It also didn't seem to take very long at all to inflate. That first time in the driveway seemed to take for ever probably because I had to stop and actually read the directions.Here are a few small turtles out sunning themselves. The turtles here are not as big as the ones in the river.
And there was this little guy that I almost clobbered over the head with my paddle....At first I just thought he/she was just another bit of floating lake stuff.
These picture show the water line from a week or so ago after all the rains that came through the midwest. The water in the lake was up at least 20 feet.
There were lots of boaters out today for the holiday but I only crossed paths with one other kayaker. We both had taken off from the same boat dock and headed around to the deep cove and creek where the no wake "rule" rules. I was about back to the dock when I noticed that the yellow kayak was heading across to the other shore. I know that the lake isn't quite as picturesque on a busy Memorial Day but it was the Maiden run and all. If I am going to have an equipment failure I don't want to be half way down a river with 3 more miles till take out. Here on the lake there is an increased change of someone coming to help. After today I have not problem going out on the deserted lake mid week.
Then it was time to think about getting out of the water and loading up. The traffic was lined up at the docks with all the trailers and tow vehicles. Boats lining up to come out of the water and others coming in for a late afternoon boat ride on the lake.
Well I guess I had better go get the big strong tow vehicle and get in line......
NOT! 
And my real reason for wanting to use the Honda for a Toad. I won't have to fold the kayak up as carefully to make it fit inside the Short Bus. My theory is the fewer folds the better the air gets to it!
) On the fishing front, many individuals use the inflatables for fishing. Yes, you can't be careless regarding sharp fish hooks (as you might be in the old aluminum fishing boat I grew up fishing from) but it would just depend on what sort of fisherman your are! 
well that and bug spray..... So, Beth doesn't have to run back to her rig and get some for me when I forget.....
