Folks, I could use a little support

[eyepaddle]

Allright folks, eye won't paddle a river again, at least until spring. :( The weather here is beautiful, but the water is getting just too cold. My ears are a wee bit sore for a few days after every trip now.

My means of connection, my shot of adrenaline, and my centering, focusing, meditation will within the evening be out of my reach (sigh).

I'm going on a tame stream (at least at this level) for one farewell ride. With the leaves turned that little gorge will be, well, gorgeous, nonetheless I anticipate a bout of melancholy while there.

Summer is OVER.

What a great season I've had. I went from being a complete beginner/tyro to actually being solidly competent. It is always gratifying to be recognized by your peers as improving, and I've gone out at least seventy times this year, so I can't say I've wasted the summer.

But I can't deny it any more. It's all but over.

Who knows though, I've got friends who insist winter paddling ROCKS, and I've almost got the full set of gear to make it feasible--but I doubt it'll be the same.

Can I get a hug here?

Well off I go.....(I'll check in when I get back :) )

[WCGreen]

1. I usually don't hug guys....

So how's about a back slap.....

[eyepaddle]

2. Well, if that's the best you can do.

:D

[WCGreen]

3. I'm heading over to the Allegheny Forest to take in the Fall

Foliage this weekend....

I'll think about ya...

[eyepaddle]

7. The water was crystal clear,

cold and the leaves were wonderful. It wass a fitting day :thumbsup:

Driving home into the setting sun, my slightly chilly feet basking in the warmth of the car and dry socks Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness playing on the stereo it was flawless.

I reveled in the my contentment.

I'm gonna look forward to next spring--to say the very least.

The Allegheny leaves should be great--enjoy the fresh air! :)

[WCGreen]

30. Thanks! I am looking forward to it....

With my lung condition, it's the closest I can get to nature any more...

[eyepaddle]

31. I just want to state that this is one of those

"nervous-hetero-guy-hugs"

:hug:

I hope the weather is lovely for you. :D

[Texasgal]

4. Well....

You are more than welcome to come on down to Sunny and HOT ( 92 degrees today ) Austin, Tx. We have some pretty cool places to paddle!

Does that help? :)

[eyepaddle]

5. Invitations to paddle are ALWAYS welcome!

doesn't Austin have a whitewater park?

[Texasgal]

20. OH yeah...

They are EVERYWHERE!!!

C'mon down...I'll join ya! :)

[Shine]

6. It's the ebb and the flow of Life, my friend....

here's a :hug:, from me to you...

Shine

[eyepaddle]

8. Thanks

:hug: :)

[Canadian Socialist]

9. Have you ever done the "Wells Grey" trip?

It's a huge park in north-central B.C. and what you pack in you must pack out. My brothers did it a few years ago and loved it! All canoeing, all the time. Check it out.

[eyepaddle]

11. I've never made it to BC

in the next year or so I want to get into sea kayaking as much as I have whitewater this year.

Once I do that Vancouver Island--here I come! B-)

[Canadian Socialist]

13. I see you're in Minnesota

Have you gone to Lake of the Woods (in Northern Ontario right up against the Manitoba border)? My family owns an island there (just outside of Keewatin). Loved canoeing and fishing out there, when I lived in Winnipeg. P.S. I love Minnesota as well. It is one of the "good" states.

[eyepaddle]

15. I've never paddle Lake of the Woods, but

I've been there. Don't forget Minnesota has a chunk of that! (It's that little tip that sticks up into Canada) I've gone on many, many trips to Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario (adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA))

If you come back this way, make sure you check out Quetico! :D

[elshiva]

10. Sorry about that eyepaddle

:hug:

[eyepaddle]

12. Hey, long time no see,

How've you been elshiva? :pals:

[elshiva]

18. Oh, things are about the same. Still unemployed, but

thankful that I am still alive. :pals:

[eyepaddle]

22. Y'know, a lot of times, I'm still

alive--and thankful that I'm unemployed! (I manage to snea in a few months of "vacation" most years)

Yes, I am partially an eternal boy.

And I think it suits me :D

[elshiva]

26. You are a sweetheart.

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

14. Hey, Bro, come to Texas! LOL!

[eyepaddle]

16. Thanks for the Invite!

Heck, people around here were missing YOU a few days ago--good to see you're back! B-)

[BikeWriter]

17. Thank you, Pard. I'd been busy on a forum of mine. ;-)

It's good to know a few noticed my absence. There are some danged fine folks here!

[In_The_Wind]

19. eyepaddle

You'll have to let DU amuse you through the cold winter months :loveya:

[eyepaddle]

21. I love that smiley!

DU--my paddling withdrawal support group! :pals:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. You need support? Well, c'mere baby.......

Because I've got hugs for you!

And I have a little poem for you to read in December: I hope it will help!

"I heard a bird sing
in the dark of December--
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.
We are nearer to spring
than we were in September."

--Oliver Herford


:pals: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug:

[eyepaddle]

27. That's a great poem!

Thanks--I think I'll pass that on to my other paddlin' friends.

(Some of whom are gearing up to surf kayak on Lake Superior now that it's starting to get windy)

I don't think I'm THAT grooved on paddlin'!

:pals:

[southlandshari]

24. .........

And here's another, just for good measure, darlin'!

:hug:

[eyepaddle]

25. Awwwww, thanks

How'd you know I am a "big guy?" (6'4")

Hey! Do you feel like a little :popcorn: ;) :hug:

[southlandshari]

28. Sigh.

I give you a hug (and maybe even a little smooching if you look closely at the picture - LOL) and you give me....

:popcorn:

Eh - that's ok. I called everyone here a spazoid earlier, and I'm feeling pretty relaxed now. Popcorn - no big deal.

;)

[eyepaddle]

29. But, but, but,

I LIKE popcorn! a little butter, some salt and an icy coke! :hi:

[southlandshari]

33. Oh, ok. I'll eat popcorn with you.

But the smooching is over, buddy!

:P

[eyepaddle]

35. LOL

:rofl:

[Sugar Smack]

32. Here you go; this is me on the New River

with some friends and a great guide.



I hear you! :hug:

[eyepaddle]

34. Schweet!

Is that anywhere near Middle Kenny and a sieve called "The Meat Grinder?"

A buddy of mine swam that--I'd LUUURRRRVVVVVEEEEEE to paddle the New as well as The Gauley. Maybe next year! :hi:

[Sugar Smack]

36. I'm not sure what it was called at this point, although

I do know it was a class 4 rapid, and at one point we got our raft caught on a rock. It was an amazing thrill to try and extricate ourselves from THAT.

:hi:

I like the picture they got of us because the raft is BARELY visible!

[rug]

37. Break it up and move on.

[eyepaddle]

38. Do you realize that you just kicked a thread

in order to tell us to let it go?

Hey, I'm not one to tell you your business or anything--but that strategem seems counterproductive to me. It had run its course and BAM right back to the top you fling it.

C'est la vie