No subject


Thu Feb 14 00:16:06 PST 2008


paddling in groups of two or three and  carrying on conversations.  The  wat=
er was=20
calm and clear and the sunshine afforded us nice views into the kelp  forest=
=20
with fish darting about.   The wildlife that we saw included several seals,=20
diving pelicans,  squawking sea gulls, cormorants gulping down bait fish, an=
d=20
possibly a sea  otter.  I was surprised that I did  not see any Dolphins.  T=
he=20
water  along this stretch of coast was as clean as I have ever seen it, ther=
e=20
were  only a few oil spots which were concentrated in only a couple of  plac=
es.=20
Our  landings at Gaviota were perfect.   As we pulled our boats onto the=20
sandy beach, we tried to blend in with  the beautiful beach people hoping th=
at no=20
one would notice the fashion clash  between their colorful bikinis and our=20
spray skirts, bulging PFDs and funky  paddler hats.  Turns out it was a  pre=
tty=20
nice crowd.  Even the life  guard was friendly.  I think he  was impressed b=
y=20
the controlled way we landed one boat at a time with someone  on the beach=20
waiting to assist.=20
It  was a great day to be on the shore in Gaviota State Park.  The beach was=
=20
alive with the shouts of  children playing in the water.  Young people were=20
throwing a ball  around.  Someone with an  inflatable raft had loaded it wit=
h=20
kids and was giving them a trill bouncing  it up and down in the gentle surf=
. =20
Everywhere I looked I saw happy people  having a good time.  Everywhere I =20
looked I saw these amazing bodies laying on blankets wearing=E2=80=A6. maybe=
 some  details=20
should be left to your imagination=20
Win  and Carol were the first to launch and got a head start back to Refugio=
.=20
 Not long after Mike, Scott and I  followed.  Duane, Mark, and Dave  wanted=20
to savor life on the beach a little longer and would paddle fast to  catch u=
p=20
with us.  Since the day  turned out to be warm and we were getting hot, Mike=
,=20
Scott, and I resorted to  roto-cooling from time to time.  I  find that roll=
ing=20
not only cools me off and makes me feel more comfortable, it  also helps to=20
keep my muscles from getting sore.=20
For the most part the trip back was rather uneventful.  At least it went tha=
t=20
way until the  final quarter mile.  The fact that  the swell had been pretty=
=20
consistent with no really big waves to surprise us,  afforded Mike the=20
opportunity to paddle close to the shore line.  Mike likes to paddle in the=20=
clapotis =20
where waves are reflected off of sea walls.  Unfortunately a small rock=20
outcropping  captured Mike=E2=80=99s attention.  The  Siren call of this lit=
tle nook=20
tempted him.  But as he headed into it I saw this  wave coming after him.  D=
umpy had=20
 baited his trap and Mike had been suckered in.  =20
Duane, Dave, Mark and I all cringed when we saw Mike get flipped over  with=20
rocks all around.  Mike was  not wearing his helmet; it was stored in his fr=
ont=20
hatch.  Dave later commented, not that many  people think to protect their=20
front hatches by putting a helmet in there.  As his boat bounced into the ro=
cks,=20
 Mike wet exited and got to his feet.   He patted his head to tell us he was=
=20
ok.  What a relief!=20
But  it was short lived.  Mike decided  that he could reenter his boat and=20
paddle out of the rocky nook.   We were yelling at Mike to swim  his boat ou=
t of=20
the rocks, but he couldn=E2=80=99t make out what we were saying.   So just a=
s Mike=20
got back into  his boat and attached his spray skirt, Dumpy swept in for rou=
nd=20
two.  Again Mike got flipped over into the  rocks. =20
I  held my breath as I waited for him to wet exit.  We all dreaded what we=20
might have to  do if Mike got hurt in there.   Would we be able to get to hi=
m=20
fast enough if he didn=E2=80=99t resurface?  What would be the best way to g=
et to  him,=20
leave my boat and swim in.  I  had a first aid kit in my front hatch, but=20
there might not be time to get it  out.  If he was seriously hurt  would I b=
e able=20
to call for help on my VHS radio, or would I need to use my  PLB.  My=20
thoughts raced during  that adrenalin charged moment as I waited for Mike to=
=20
resurface.=20
I  breathed a big sigh of relief when Mike popped up and patted his head to=20
tell  us he was still OK.  And this time  Mike figured it out.  He pushed  h=
is=20
boat out of the rock outcropping and swam out.  I paddled to Mike and told h=
im=20
to grab  my bow and wrap his legs around it.   As I paddled Mike away from=20
the swell and the rocks, Duane got to  Mike=E2=80=99s boat and pushed it out=
 to Dave.  =20
A few minutes later  we helped Mike back into his boat and were on our way=20
again.  Amazingly, Mike emerged without a  scratch, and the only losses were=
 his=20
bilge pump and sponge.  His boat and paddles had come through  without any=20
damage.  I think Mark  Sanders took get some picture of Mike=E2=80=99s rescu=
e.=20
When  we got back to Refugio things were going smoothly.  Duane, Dave, Mark,=
=20
Win and Carol had  all done beautiful landings.  In  fact, things were going=
=20
so well that Mark went back to his vehicle to put  away his camera.  Only Sc=
ott=20
,  Mike, and I were on the water.  But  Dumpy still had it in for Mike and=20
wasn=E2=80=99t yet done with him.  As Mike paddled in to shore, Dumpy  reare=
d up behind=20
him with the biggest wave of the day.  I wish I had my camera to get a shot=20=
=20
of the expression on Mike=E2=80=99s face as he looked over his shoulder into=
 the wave =20
that was welling up to dump on him.   It was one of those classic Scrat=20
moments with the big eyes  and mouth open in frozen disbelief.   I saw the s=
tern of=20
Mike=E2=80=99s boat pop straight up and rotate briefly as  Mike got pitch po=
led out by=20
the wave.=20
The  good news; Mike crawled out of it in great shape, no bruises, cuts, or=20=
=20
scratches.  And his gear was not  damaged.  Scott and I made smooth,  pictur=
e=20
perfect landings.  As my  boat slid up high onto the beach I think I heard=20
Dave say, =E2=80=9CNow this is how  it=E2=80=99s supposed to be done, Mike.=
=E2=80=9D=20
Sitting on the beach all covered in kelp and Sand, Mike=E2=80=99s boat looke=
d  sad,=20
as if it wanted to get far away from the ocean.  Mike, on the other hand,=20
seemed to be  in good spirits.  I think he was  grateful that he had made it=
=20
through so much without getting hurt.  And as he thought about what had gone=
  wrong,=20
he came up with several lessons good learned.  Hopefully he will share them=20
with  us.=20
At  the end of the day, with all the boats packed up and ready to go, we all=
 =20
shared a beer and had a good laugh together.  I=E2=80=99m sure that Mike can=
=E2=80=99t wait=20
to see  what we all have to say in our trip reports.  Fortunately he is a=20
really good  sport and can stand up with the best us.=20
Yesterday Dumpy had his sights set on Mike.  Next time it could be me or you=
.=20
 This sport has a way of keeping us  humble.  Days like these are the  ones=20
we remember and will talk about for years to come.=20
All  the best,=20
Patrick  Martin


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<DIV>Pat,</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Great trip report! Dumpy was persistent. Glad Mike is okay.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Carol </DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 7/27/2008 12:17:37 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,=20
Captainkayak at earthlink.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><=
FONT=20
  style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=
=3D2>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>Trip=20
  Report: 7/26/08 =E2=80=93 Refugio to Gaviota</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>My=20
  alarm clock went off at 4 am and I awoke with some hesitancy.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The past week at work had been=20
  exhausting, I felt tired, and I wasn=E2=80=99t sure I was up for a 16 nm p=
addle with=20
  an aggressive group of paddlers.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN>As I dragged myself out of bed I knew once I got out onto the water=
 my=20
  attitude&nbsp;should revive and I should begin to feel like my old self=20
  again.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The rhythm of the oc=
ean=20
  and the laughter of friendship could regenerate my attitude.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I just had to dig deep and make=20=
the=20
  effort to show up with a smile to share.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>Mike=20
  Bode arrived at my house <SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>ri=
ght on=20
  time and we loaded his boat and gear onto my truck so that we could carpoo=
l=20
  from Moorpark to Refugio.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I=
t was=20
  good to see Mike.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>He too ha=
d=20
  survived a difficult week and had overcome the urge to call it quits and s=
leep=20
  in.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Our ride to the beach s=
eemed=20
  to pass quickly because we had much to talk about.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>The=20
  group that assembled included Mike Bode, Duane Strosaker (who had posted t=
he=20
  invitation for this trip), Mark Sanders, Dave O=E2=80=99Connor, Scott (who=
=E2=80=99s last name=20
  eludes me, sorry Scott), and Win and Carol Aldrich.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Duane, Mark and Dave had spent t=
he=20
  night sleeping in their cars in the Channel Islands Harbor parking lot in=20
  Oxnard.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>At this time of yea=
r it=20
  is impossible to get a camp site at Refugio, El Capitan, or Gaviota since=20=
all=20
  the reservations were sold out months ago.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>These guys are a hearty bunch an=
d were=20
  in remarkably good spirits in spite of their less than ideal camping=20
  accommodations. </FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>It=20
  was a beautiful day with warm sunshine, no wind, and surf that was mostly=20=
less=20
  than 3-foot.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>We launched ar=
ound 9=20
  o=E2=80=99clock and the only thrill was the kiss that Dump gave me as I sp=
lashed=20
  through a wave.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I think Mik=
e=20
  referred to my launch as =E2=80=9Cclassic Martin timing=E2=80=9D.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Everyone else made it out withou=
t the=20
  benefit of an exhilarating splash of sea water in their faces.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>But there was something about th=
at=20
  splash that revived me.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Fro=
m that=20
  moment on I was having a wonderful time and could feel my spirit charging=20=
up=20
  with every undulation of my boat and every stroke of my paddle.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>From=20
  Refugio we headed west to Gaviota.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=
=20
  </SPAN>Along the way we mixed it up paddling in groups of two or three and=
=20
  carrying on conversations.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>=
The=20
  water was calm and clear and the sunshine afforded us nice views into the=20=
kelp=20
  forest with fish darting about.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN>The wildlife that we saw included several seals, diving pelicans,=20
  squawking sea gulls, cormorants gulping down bait fish, and possibly a sea=
=20
  otter. <SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>I was surprised that=
 I did=20
  not see any Dolphins.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The w=
ater=20
  along this stretch of coast was as clean as I have ever seen it, there wer=
e=20
  only a few oil spots which were concentrated in only a couple of=20
  places.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>Our=20
  landings at Gaviota were perfect.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN>As we pulled our boats onto the sandy beach, we tried to blend in w=
ith=20
  the beautiful beach people hoping that no one would notice the fashion cla=
sh=20
  between their colorful bikinis and our spray skirts, bulging PFDs and funk=
y=20
  paddler hats.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Turns out it=20=
was a=20
  pretty nice crowd.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Even the=
 life=20
  guard was friendly.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I think=
 he=20
  was impressed by the controlled way we landed one boat at a time with some=
one=20
  on the beach waiting to assist.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>It=20
  was a great day to be on the shore in Gaviota State Park.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The beach was alive with the sho=
uts of=20
  children playing in the water. <SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>Young people were throwing a ball=
=20
  around.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Someone with an=20
  inflatable raft had loaded it with kids and was giving them a trill bounci=
ng=20
  it up and down in the gentle surf. <SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>Everywhere I looked I saw happy p=
eople=20
  having a good time.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Everywh=
ere I=20
  looked I saw these amazing bodies laying on blankets wearing=E2=80=A6. may=
be some=20
  details should be left to your imagination</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>Win=20
  and Carol were the first to launch and got a head start back to Refugio.<S=
PAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Not long after Mike, Scott and I=
=20
  followed.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Duane, Mark, and=20=
Dave=20
  wanted to savor life on the beach a little longer and would paddle fast to=
=20
  catch up with us.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Since the=
 day=20
  turned out to be warm and we were getting hot, Mike, Scott, and I resorted=
 to=20
  roto-cooling from time to time.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </=
SPAN>I=20
  find that rolling not only cools me off and makes me feel more comfortable=
, it=20
  also helps to keep my muscles from getting sore.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
  face=3DCalibri>For the most part the trip back was rather uneventful.<SPAN=
=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>At least it went that way until=20=
the=20
  final quarter mile.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The fac=
t that=20
  the swell had been pretty consistent with no really big waves to surprise=20=
us,=20
  afforded Mike the opportunity to paddle close to the shore line.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Mike likes to paddle in the clap=
otis=20
  where waves are reflected off of sea walls.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Unfortunately a small rock outcr=
opping=20
  captured Mike=E2=80=99s attention.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=
 </SPAN>The=20
  Siren call of this little nook tempted him.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>But as he headed into it I saw t=
his=20
  wave coming after him.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Dump=
y had=20
  baited his trap and Mike had been suckered in.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri=20
  size=3D3>Duane, Dave, Mark and I all cringed when we saw Mike get flipped=20=
over=20
  with rocks all around.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Mike=
 was=20
  not wearing his helmet; it was stored in his front hatch.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Dave later commented, not that m=
any=20
  people think to protect their front hatches by putting a helmet in there.<=
SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>As his boat bounced into the roc=
ks,=20
  Mike wet exited and got to his feet.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbs=
p;=20
  </SPAN>He patted his head to tell us he was ok.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>What a relief!</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>But=20
  it was short lived.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Mike de=
cided=20
  that he could reenter his boat and paddle out of the rocky nook. <SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN>We were yelling at Mike to=20=
swim=20
  his boat out of the rocks, but he couldn=E2=80=99t make out what we were s=
aying.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp; </SPAN>So just as Mike got back i=
nto=20
  his boat and attached his spray skirt, Dumpy swept in for round&nbsp;two.<=
SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Again Mike got flipped over into=
 the=20
  rocks. </FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>I=20
  held my breath as I waited for him to wet exit.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>We all dreaded what we might hav=
e to=20
  do if Mike got hurt in there.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN>Would we be able to get to him fast enough if he didn=E2=80=99t res=
urface?<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>What would be the best way to ge=
t to=20
  him, leave my boat and swim in.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </=
SPAN>I=20
  had a first aid kit in my front hatch, but there might not be time to get=20=
it=20
  out.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>If he was seriously hu=
rt=20
  would I be able to call for help on my VHS radio, or would I need to use m=
y=20
  PLB.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>My thoughts raced duri=
ng=20
  that adrenalin charged moment as I waited for Mike to resurface.</FONT></P=
>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>I=20
  breathed a big sigh of relief when Mike popped up and patted his head to t=
ell=20
  us he was still OK.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>And thi=
s time=20
  Mike figured it out.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>He pus=
hed=20
  his boat out of the rock outcropping and swam out. <SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>I paddled to Mike and told him to=
 grab=20
  my bow and wrap his legs around it.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp=
;=20
  </SPAN>As I paddled Mike away from the swell and the rocks, Duane got to=20
  Mike=E2=80=99s boat and pushed it out to Dave.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=
 yes">&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN>A few minutes=20=
later=20
  we helped Mike back into his boat and were on our way again.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Amazingly, Mike emerged without=20=
a=20
  scratch, and the only losses were his bilge pump and sponge.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>His boat and paddles had come th=
rough=20
  without any damage.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I think=
 Mark=20
  Sanders took get some picture of Mike=E2=80=99s rescue.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>When=20
  we got back to Refugio things were going smoothly.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Duane, Dave, Mark, Win and Carol=
 had=20
  all done beautiful landings.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPA=
N>In=20
  fact, things were going&nbsp;so well that Mark went back to his vehicle to=
 put=20
  away his camera.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Only Scott=
 ,=20
  Mike, and I were on the water.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; But=
=20
  </SPAN>Dumpy still had it in for Mike and wasn=E2=80=99t yet done with him=
.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>As Mike paddled in to shore, Dum=
py=20
  reared up behind him with the biggest wave of the day.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I wish I had my camera to get a=20=
shot=20
  of the expression on Mike=E2=80=99s face as he looked over his shoulder in=
to the wave=20
  that was welling up to dump on him.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp=
;=20
  </SPAN>It was one of those classic Scrat moments with the big eyes=20
  and&nbsp;mouth open in frozen disbelief.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=
&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN>I saw the stern of Mike=E2=80=99s boat pop straight up and rotate b=
riefly as=20
  Mike got pitch poled out by the wave.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>The=20
  good news; Mike crawled out of it in great shape, no bruises, cuts, or=20
  scratches.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>And his gear was=
 not=20
  damaged.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Scott and I made s=
mooth,=20
  picture perfect landings.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>A=
s my=20
  boat slid up high onto the beach I think I heard Dave say, =E2=80=9CNow th=
is is how=20
  it=E2=80=99s supposed to be done, Mike.=E2=80=9D</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri=20
  size=3D3>Sitting on the beach all covered in kelp and Sand, Mike=E2=80=99s=
 boat looked=20
  sad, as if it wanted to get far away from the ocean.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Mike, on the other hand, seemed=20=
to be=20
  in good spirits.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I think he=
 was=20
  grateful that he had made it through so much without getting hurt.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>And as he thought about what had=
 gone=20
  wrong, he came up with several lessons good learned.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Hopefully he will share them wit=
h=20
  us.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>At=20
  the end of the day, with all the boats packed up and ready to go, we all=20
  shared a beer and had a good laugh together.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I=E2=80=99m sure that Mike can=
=E2=80=99t wait to see=20
  what we all have to say in our trip reports.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Fortunately he is a really&nbsp;=
good=20
  sport and can stand up with the best us.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri=20
  size=3D3>Yesterday Dumpy had his sights set on Mike.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Next time it could be me or you.=
<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>This sport has a way of keeping=20=
us=20
  humble.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Days like these are=
 the=20
  ones we remember and will talk about for years to come.</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri s=
ize=3D3>All=20
  the best,</FONT></P>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=3DCalibri=20
  size=3D3>Patrick=20
  Martin</FONT></P></FONT></DIV><BR><BR>____________________________________=
___________<BR>Info=20
  mailing=20
  list<BR>Info at list.ckf.org<BR>http://list.ckf.org/mailman/listinfo/info<BR>=
</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style=3D"color: blac=
k; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Get f=
antasy football with free live scoring. <A title=3D"http://www.fanhouse.com/=
fantasyaffair?ncid=3Daolspr00050000000020" href=3D"http://www.fanhouse.com/f=
antasyaffair?ncid=3Daolspr00050000000020" target=3D"_blank">Sign up for FanH=
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