Mini gtg

[bikerchic777]

Beth,
I'm not familiar with the other brand. I'm with you on the fabric covering. My tandem does have a place where the fabric pulled out of the seam. I need to call Stearns and ask them if they'll do anything about it or if I need to take it somewhere to get it repaired. It still works fine, so have been using it that way. I think the best way, unless they have a satisfaction guaranty, would be to try someone else's or at least see it and ask questions about how it tracks, etc. I may end up selling my hard kayak and getting another lighter one, now that I will be solo. I would need a cart to haul it to and from the car/water if I keep it. Depends which is cheaper.

[mtngal]

Awesome pictures!! What a fun day!!! I'm jealous! It's almost warm enough to take out my kayak here, maybe next week. I'm interested to hear more about inflatables too as I can't carry my 'Ocean Venus' on my Roadtrek. It's perfect otherwise....only 34 pounds. Thanks for taking us along on your cool adventure!!

[Cedar518]

Would like to know more about your canoe...it sounds AWESOME!!! It must fold up?

http://www.hornbeckboats.com/

I don't know if Soos has a Hornbeck or not but these are super-light. Co-workers had them when I worked for The Nature Conservancy and we went on field trips. Down side is that they are expensive.

[bikerchic777]

Also talking about kayaks on "My meeting with Liz' thread. I checked out your website on Hornbeck boats. I would love one of those...if I had a lot of money I sent the link to my brother. He's a big canoeist and even goes to the boundary waters alone in the spring every year....would make a good mountain man. He's probably heard of them. He keeps trying to convince me to get a solo canoe and get rid of the kayaks. It's all a matter of preference. That is why there is so much to choose from. My brother called me about a week ago, all excited, to tell me about a class he did to learn how to roll his canoe. Most people in the class had kayaks so they were surprised he had a canoe. He caught on real quick, though, and impressed the seasoned instructor. He likes to do white water stuff, so I'm sure it will come in handy.

[snowball]

[quote="bikerchic777"][b]Sheila...Kind of hard to use that raft in the desert!

we actually aren't far from the Colorado river. we have a small engine and tried going up current it was almost too strong current to do that but this year we saw some areas that we could have gone into but dh is still healing from his cancer treatment just doesn't have the energy level that he needs to do somethings...so maybe next year we will hope that we get to use it then...others have actually used it more than we have
however last year after having it on the river and it was still inflated I sorta kindingly said could fill it up with water and use it as a hot tub!!! so he did the only thing was the solar (the sun) didn't heat it well enough then the night would cool it off to much even covered...so we didn't get to utilize it at all
sheila

[bikerchic777]

That is so funny I love the hot tub story! I have a friend out in the boonies, east of 29 Palms, who has a hot tub that he made, using water from a hot spring he is on. It is AWESOME!!! It is a big metal tank, like the metal you see horse troughs made out of, but much bigger. He taps into the hot spring to fill it. If he invites anyone over to use it, he has to fill it earlier in the day to let it get "cool" enough to sit in. When the water has completely cooled, he uses it to water his plants and trees with an irrigation system he made. He's eccentric, but interesting He has classic tt's that he uses as rooms, like one is a library, one is a shop to make his sculptures, etc. I love going out to visit him. I'm rambling, but seriously...take a girlfriend with you and just use the thing! Hubby can hold down the fort while you're gone, can't he? With all I'm sure you do for him with his cancer treatments, etc, he would probably be happy for you to get out. If I was there, we would be using it Do you stay in Quartsite every winter?

[Nasoosie]

My canoe is indeed a Hornbeck, and I was able to get it from a guy second hand as he found it too tippy for him! He sold it for half price, including paddles, carrying collar, seats, etc. I have loved it over the years. Getting the outriggers for it makes it possible to stand up in it, and Molly can come without tipping us both over. I can carry it with one hand and carry the paddle in the other. I need to put some finish on the gunnels this summer, and make it ready to travel. My son has used it fishing up here for years now, with the outriggers.

Come to think of it, I'm not so sure I've ever tried to put it into my shorter trailer, so need to make sure it fits in there. It went into the longer one just fine.

[bluepinecones]

Wonderful photos from both of you. Thanks for sharing your great adventure with us.

[bikerchic777]

Cool, Soos! I would love to see it! Do you have any photos of you in it? I'm all about Craig's List! I've got some deals on there and sold most of my large household items there when we went full time. I will likely shop that way when I'm ready to sell mine and find a different one.

[snowball]

we do stay here in Quartzsite all winter and in fact took a road trip to Joshua Tree National Park and out through 29 Palms enjoyed the road trip
sheila

[bikerchic777]

You probably drove right by the house I used to have there. I lived in 29 Palms 3 different times! I lived there when Joshua Tree Nat'l Park was Joshua Tree Nat'l Monument. I still slip up sometimes I tell everyone who goes to that area to be sure to drive through it, at least. I guarantee if they do, they will never forget it! Isn't it amazing? I camped there once when I was much younger and I could see why people come from all over the world to look at the solar system with their telescopes up there! I love it. I used to take my kids up there and hike to Barker Dam. We would pack a picnic lunch I even have friends who retired from working there. I'm seriously looking for a workamper job in southern CA for next winter! I miss my friends out there

[snowball]

then you can come see us
sheila

[bikerchic777]

That is a definite maybe

[Carolinagal]

Loved the trip down river and all of the pictures, made me homesick. Thanks for posting all of these lovely pictures, ladies.

Safe and Happy travels,
Carol

[bikerchic777]

Homesick for NC, Carol? I will miss kayaking down here if I go to the desert next winter. Is there good kayaking in NC?