Kayak-yak-yakkin'

Kayaking is a great way that both Devin and I can get out into actual wilderness or wild-enough places and experience non-motorized nature together. We have barely done it, but we think we really like it. And this trip will be a great place to do more of it - lot's more, I'm hoping!

Devin thinks we could just rent kayaks or canoes when we get somewhere we'd like to paddle, but I think that will mean we don't do it nearly as much.

If we get a regular kayak, we'll have to carry it on the roof of our tow vehicle, and if we get a Jeep soft top, that will mean some modificaitons...

So I'm thinking of an inflatable or folding kayak, which can stow easily under the MoHo, and which we can use our compressor to inflate quickly (though most come with a foot pump).

Here's a model I have been looking at as a great combination of features:
The Innova Helios 380EX or another Innova Kayak. They seem very well made, versatile, quick to set up and break down, small packing - all good. How comfortable they are for our backs remains to be seen - and that is an important factor.

The photo above is from Innova's website - it is the Helios 380EX on the Crater Lake of Mount Pinatubo - the water is 120 degrees!! It kind of looks like us, doesn't it? The guy in back has Devin's hairline, and the person in front, well, I don't think it's a woman, but that wrist could be mine when I'm wearing a watch... ha.

We hope to go to a local company's Demo Day, but they don't have Innova in their inventory. But at least we'll have some basis for comparison! Some REI's may have Innova products - we'll have to find which ones, and find if we can try sitting in it!

So many neat places to go explore - from theSan Juan Islands, to the Everglades and so many lakes and rivers and seashores in between.

We tried it first with our friend Jenny Dodge, and just went in Alamitos Bay up to where we could pet some Moon Jellies - it was about 3 miles round trip, I estimate. I was really worried because I have calcific tendonitis in my left shoulder and it can be very painful, but we rented a two person kayak and my shoulder didn't give me any trouble at all! So I want to do more. Lot's more. And we haven't. Yet. So that's my evil plan (moowah ha ha!) to get us to go more - just buy one and take it with us wherever we go!

We'll keep you posted on the progress of that particular piece of the dream!

Maggie