My paddling future is still up in the air. My knee is stubbornly refusing to accept hard work. Tough news indeed for someone like me. I have started Glucosimine and chondrotin along with fish oil supplements. We'll see........I'm still hopeful.

But I will seek alternatives that don't include tough portages. I have been researching the north shore of Superior. Very interesting paddling possibilities. Who has been and what tid bits of knowledge can you pass on. Thanks.

We're looking into tripping there too. We want to eventually go all the way around the lake. Not in one year though. It's my girl friend's dream trip. She's a kayaker.  :-[
Just kidding  8-)

This Sept we visited Caribou Outfitters near Goulais River and Naturally Superior near Wawa. Both were very helpful with info. NS even let us test paddle some British style kayaks on the big lake. Man that was fun. Reminded me of white water paddling. Totally different than paddling on big inland lakes. Looking for kayaks is very different than canoe shopping. It's such a personal fit. You really need to test a lot of boats, with & without weight.
It can be done with a canoe too. But I'm finding the British style kayaks to be tons of fun in big water. I'll cc:mail you to a friend that did some canoeing on LS.
ST Linked me to another site with a trip report. There's several out there. But it's a serious lake to paddle, needs respect. Neither outfitter started leading their trips before July, and stopped by the end of August. Before or after, expect long delays while you wait out the weather.

Anyone interested should google "Herb Pohl".

If your in the UP??? and headed south, go by Riverside Kayak Connection near Detroit in Wyandotte, MI. Best selection of British style kayaks I found.

MT, check out Gary & Joanie McGuffin's book, Superior-Journey on an inland sea.  Nice read with photos and tips about their circumnavigation of the lake.

-YB

Jose's a paddling buddy of mine. Never tripped with him, but we always enjoyed sharing our tales. Here's a link to his report. Very nice photos too.

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MT,

Didn't you buy a Krueger canoe?
I know Vern Krueger paddled around LS.
I think with the proper spray cover and maybe a good double paddle, you could handle anything a sea kayak could or at least he was able too.
From reading about him and his trips, he wanted the best of both worlds and when he couldn't buy it, he built it.

Yup ST, I have had a $1750 deposit with Scott for a Superior Expedition for close to 8 months now. He still hasn't started. I'm a little peeved and thought about canceling the order but my better sense has prevailed. So far no trip has been disrupted from lack of the boat but I will expect it by spring when I plan to employ it perhaps on Georgian bay. To be fair I informed him when I placed the order I wouldn't really need the boat until the fall and failed to continually be a squeaky wheel. So no boat yet......Oh well, no bigey I guess.

I picked up a book on sea kayaking Superior and Michigan and the potential looks very promising.......especially if the Expedition is the boat I think it will be. Patience grasshopper...........

Thinking about a double paddle..........

Quote:

Thinking about a double paddle..........

I seem to recall Krueger used a single paddle but there no law that says you can't have both.
I still think that when going against a strong headwind or with one at your back, a double paddle really shines.

solotripper wrote on Nov 24^th, 2011 at 7:50pm:

Quote: Thinking about a double paddle.......... I seem to recall Krueger used a single paddle but there no law that says you can't have both. I still think that when going against a strong headwind or with one at your back, a double paddle really shines.

My thoughts exactly ST. Things could get dicey on the big lake and the option of a double paddle could mean the difference.

MT,

Is your Krueger going to have a rudder system?
I think that might be a nice item on big waters.
I'm not sure but I think Vernon Krueger's canoe was set up with one?
Putting all your efforts into moving forward and not into steering has to be a plus in rough water.

Yes, it has a unique set up which allows the rudder to lift when it comes in contact with the bottom. That would be handy down here in Florida. If I do set out on Lake Superior I will consider a dry suit. I have always been a "what's the worst that can happen" sort of guy and try and plan accordingly. I might stay alive long enough to be plucked from the water with a dry suit  :P. The only question is if I will sweat to death instead. When we paddled a short stretch (1.5 mile on the outside) of the big lake on Isle Royale this summer I was amazed at just how cool the air temp was. Perhaps the dry suit would be just the ticket. Anyway, it was quite awesome scenery and I am hopeful the Expedition will fit the bill and build in some margin for safety (I felt very vulnerable in my Magic on the outside). 

[quote author=Jim_J_Solo link=1322145998/3#3 date=1322152508]Jose's a paddling buddy of mine. Never tripped with him, but we always enjoyed sharing our tales. Here's a link to his report. Very nice photos too.

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Wow Jim........thanks! This was better than I could of hoped for. Pukaskwa was high on my list. looks groovy.

Quote:

Pukaskwa was high on my list

First year the park opened, a buddy and I decided to backpack the shoreline from N-S.
Great trail and I could see the paddling possibilities. Lots of places to camp/protection from elements.
Sadly 1/2 way down I fell violently ill. I was in my late 20's then and couldn't figure out why I was having such severe abdominal/kidney area pain.
It would come and go but the episodes became closer together and we decided to backtrack what we knew rather than forge ahead.
Turns out I was passing a kidney stone :'(
Got home and went to doctor who advised it was just about thru me.
Ended up passing a stone the size of a small Navy Bean.
First and last time, thank God.
I think that would make a great first trip before tackling longer more exposed one's.

Dude.....bum deal on the stone. I bet it got your attention.

Wow.....hiking trail along the park shore! Very cool......I can picture a fair amount of time being windbound. I generally hate laying around other than the odd hour or so to recharge. Nice to hike without a 70lb pack eh?

OK.......I'm in. I wonder how the fishing is?

Weird.........3rd day on the glucosimine and chondrotin and I already feel like a new man. Now if I can just ease in without overdoing it maybe I'll be back.

Quote:

OK.......I'm in. I wonder how the fishing is?

I can't speak to LS but the year I was there, I was very disappointed in the fishing in the rivers, small inland lakes.
I had my pack spinning rod and some Mepps type lures. I saw water, I stopped and fished it.
Zero/zilch :-?
After awhile I noticed a complete lack of minnows/crayfish, nothing for the big ones to eat?
I couldn't understand it.
One night we camped on a cove and saw a nice sailboat anchored there.
Soon a small Zodiac pulled up and the teenage guy at the tiller asked if we wanted to join him and his family for dinner on the boat. He said it wouldn't be fancy, just fresh caught salmon/smoked on board, homemade bread and cold Molson beer :o
Back then we were eating freeze dried.
We piled in and headed out to the boat.
I thought these Canadians are awful trusting bringing two strange men out to a private boat crewed by a husband/wife/teen son and daughter.
We climbed on board and found the skipper was a mountain of a man, think Grizzly Adams.
He and his wife were both teachers and were in a program were you work for 4 years and bank a percentage of you salary. The 5th year you get off to do what you wanted without losing your job/seniority.
He was a biologist and also taught outdoor wilderness skills. His wife was a home economics teacher.
In the 4 years prior THEY built and outfitted that 40 foot sailboat and were on the first leg of the shakedown cruise, heading for the Caribbean.
During our dinner conversation he enlightened us to why there was no fish in the streams/lakes.
Back then ACID RAIN was a big problem. The PH was so acidic the water was basically sterile.
I think that's been cleared up but I'm not sure.
He did say that before the acid rain, those streams were good for what they call " COASTERS", which are basically Brook Trout that spend their lives in LS and head upstream to spawn?
Were talking 5 lb plus fish or bigger.
Hopefully they've made a comeback?

solotripper wrote on Nov 24^th, 2011 at 7:50pm:

Quote: Thinking about a double paddle.......... I seem to recall Krueger used a single paddle but there no law that says you can't have both. I still think that when going against a strong headwind or with one at your back, a double paddle really shines.

Here's a link to Steve Landick's comments about paddles. He was Verlan's son-in-law and did the 28k mile trip with him. I got a chance to start the AuSable marathon next to him this summer and visit with him. Nice guy.

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Interesting Jim...........I rather doubt I could "roll" the Expedition right side up even with a Yak paddle. Scott Smith the maker of over 100 Sea Winds before he developed the Expedition also uses a single blade bent shaft Zav (which is what I have). I have a Yak Paddle sitting on top my seldom used Kayak which I will try with it (If he ever gets it done >:( ). I guess I will just have to see....

ST the coasters really have my interest. I trolled for some at Isle Royale but picked up some pike. I'm pretty sure I came across a pile of coasters in McCargo cove. There was probably about 15 or 20 fish in 8' of water all between 2 and 4lbs. I guess they could of been lakers but I'm thinking coasters. They were heavy bodied and nice. I was pretty excited but never quit casting the big pike lure. Looking back I should of tried for them but that would of meant turning around.......not usually my style.

I love to catch and eat Brook Trout.
For their size they're good fighters.
I can imagine what a 4lb one would feel like on a ultra-lite rig.
I know in waters around Ilse Royale, they have a very strict limit. I think it's something like 1 fish a day over a certain length.
In Canada I'm thinking the limit " might" be a little more generous.
Hard to believe they were commercially fished almost to the point of extinction.
Butterflied and grilled on a campfire would be some good eating.

I might just have a hard time putting the knife to a 4lb brook trout. Maybe I could catch one smaller, say a 2lber which is still a whopper in my book. They are delicious aren't they...........

Quote:

I might just have a hard time putting the knife to a 4lb brook trout.

I would too if it was a stream trout, but since the world record brook trout coming out of LS is something like 11 lbs +( Might be a little off), I might have to make a exception for a Coaster ;)

I talked to Scott Smith yesterday about my boat............seems like I'm next on the list.........I think I have heard that before ::). Nice guy, hard to get mad at him. I'll just wait.

I will probably stick to warmer waters initially until I get a feel for what she is capable of but Superior is definitely on the list. I like the park ST suggested as the hiking trail is appealing.

But I might be able to portage after all. Definite improvement on the knee. 12 miles today and yesterday with the bike with no ill effects. Pretty Jazzed about that. Maybe I'm back :).

Quote:

12 miles today and yesterday with the bike with no ill effects.

Just to play Devils advocate here, have your run you rehab workouts by your doctor or a certified sports trainer?
Everything I've learned or my degreed trainer friend has told me over the years tells me that working the same muscle groups on consecutive days is a recipe for disaster.

The muscles you use biking have opposing muscle that need working too.
Over develop/work one group, the opposing group can't do it's job.
You wind up with instability in your joints and that's the last thing you or anyone especially with orthopedic concerns needs.

I think I would get a trained expert to tell you exactly what muscle groups your using biking, then find an activity that works the opposing muscles. That way you can work-out everyday without overdoing it or risking long term damage for short term gains. I'd include a stretching session AFTER every workout and a rest day or two in there as well.
This morning on the CBS news they had a segment about " aging" exercisers,
The expert said that you need 3x things to exercise safely.
A baseline of over all muscle strength, same for cardio and you have to be/stay limber.
They also said that the older you get the flexibility becomes more important and in their opinion it was more important than the others to avoid injury.

I know you are right. But I like the biking.......outside right!? I will probably do it every day. Only 12 miles......flat ground......not to strenuous.

Stretching is the big non-factor for me after biking. Zero.....nada......zip

Probably time to go back to P90x every day as well. Got busy, got fat again but I feel pretty good. I'm off the road for the winter so back at it. I will be interested to see how the knee does after I stretch it out. I stopped the Yoga last year after getting loose because it felt like it was unstable. I am pleased to find out about keeping the hammys loose will benefit my back. Thanks ST for that tip.

OK........a few minutes stretching will probably help an old guy like me. In a month or two I will know if I can go back to WCP and duke it out.

Hey speaking of duking it out Machida is fighting on the 10th against  Jones. Should be freakin awesome. I love watching Machida. He's my fav. I'll probably miss it. I can't stomach the pay per view pricing and no sports bar in my little town. Rats!

I get the outside thing. You can still be outside and work different muscle groups on alternating days.
Bike one day and take a nice long hike the next with a light pack, say 20-30 lbs.
Stretch after every session, if only the hamstrings.
One thing about biking, it's not a weight bearing exercise.
Good for re-hab in the beginning, but you need the weight bearing work for the portages.

PX90 is a great program but with your type A+ work schedule you have to be careful your not tearing yourself down instead of building yourself up ;)
Like it or not, as we age we don't recover as fast. Nothing we can do about that.
You mentioned working 90+ hours a week, plus 2 weekends of 20+ hours.
By my math, that leaves less than 10 hours a day for family/sleep/whatever.
All the experts say were a sleep deprived nation.
I'm guessing your getting far less than the minimum sleep of 8 hrs.
Plenty of people get by on less, but let's not fool ourselves, getting by and thriving are two different things. Basically your robbing Peter to pay Paul.
I understand people can't cut back on hours in this economy. You have family obligations, you can't shirk that.
So the only thing you can really control is your diet and your exercise program.
Long term sleep deprivation leads to a host of problems that you may or may not attribute to getting less than your 8 hrs.
It will weaken your immune system. It makes it harder to bounce back from injuries and recover from hard workouts.
That's why I mentioned about alternating muscle groups and recovery days. You can't go full tilt day after day and expect not to pay one way or the other.
When your pushing yourself as you do, something is going to get short changed.
You don't want it to be your health ;)

Yea ST.........I think I have worked 2 lifetimes already. My wife complains but I told her that going in that I work a lot. I hate sitting around anyway. (I used to be a lot taller but I'm wearing down ;D )

The 90 hour weeks are the weeks I have shows on the weekends. Get up at 3 A.M........4 hour set up.......talk to to people all day, maybe go to their houses that night.......very long day :P At least I'm sitting for 2 days.

No wonder I'm tired. Kinda sucks.........just about the time I get good at what I do it will be time to check out. Not Fair!!

MT,

I had a friend who did the same thing for years.
He was a millwright for GM in the Golden Years.
From his mid-twenties he worked 7 days/12 hrs a day/Holidays and took little vacation time.
He was bringing in 100k a year plus. Paid off his mortgage in 10 yrs. Had all the toys paid off and a cabin up north paid for. Her and the kids wanted for nothing, except his time. He thought he was giving them the American Dream.

After his 2 kids were high school, he came home to find his wife had filed for divorce ( she never worked). Nobody could believe she did it.
Their lifestyle was the envy of their married friends.
She had the best and shopped at the best places.
Turns out she said he worked to much and she found a someone who would do things with her :-?
The guy worked himself into the ground so they could have a good life and he could retire at 50 with a great pension.
Instead she got 50% of everything including his pension. Since she didn't work, he had to pay alimony. He also paid big child support until the kids turned 18 and now he's paying for their college.
She moved her boyfriend in to their house that he couldn't sell becasue of the kids.
He retired now, living a modest retirement and not enjoying the fruits of HIS labor for 20+ years :'(
It gets better ::)
When she turns 62, even though she never worked in her life, she gets SS becasue she was married to someone who was paying in.
That amounts to almost a $1000 a month.
Like he jokes, I'd kill her, but I can't afford to pay for the funeral ;D
Not saying it happens to everyone, but  ALL work and little co-play is a dangerous mix ;)

While we have a tiff once a year or so I don't think my gal would ever bail. Murder maybe, but divorce is not part of her vocabulary. She convinced me to go to "husband school" (marriage encounter seminar...   (You need to Login or Register ) where we had a great time. After that I just kept doing what I had always done but she kept saying how much I had changed ;D

The maddest I had ever seen her was when I told her I was going to Isle Royale for a few weeks and then most of August to WCP. "your not doing that" she said..........I got real quiet (a soft answer turns away wrath) and said "yes I am"................

She was OK in about an hour but said I had to "make it up to her"..........Expensive trips as I had to put in a new covered patio complete with all the goodies. OK fine, you do what you want and I get to do what I want........works for me.

MT,

Sounds like a plan  ;D
I didn't mean to imply your mate might bolt.
I was just saying that sometimes what you think is doing the right thing, isn't what they think the right thing is.

The guy I was referencing used to have a running joke when anyone said he was gone to much and working too hard.
He'd say " When my wife re-marries, her new husband will say " What a fine fellow your first husband was to leave ME with all this good stuff"  ;D
Sadly the joke really was on him :'(

OUCH!! A self fulfilling prophecy............

A buddy of mine got kicked out of his house (divorce/court order) because his wife wanted to re-live her youth. She moved a young stud in fresh out of high school into HIS house with his 3 young daughters.

He was in a bad way for quite a while. Not sure how I would of handled some guy in my house, in my bed, with my woman and I couldn't set foot in the place that I worked my as@ off to pay for. That would be tough.

Quote:

He was in a bad way for quite a while. Not sure how I would of handled some guy in my house, in my bed, with my woman and I couldn't set foot in the place that I worked my as@ off to pay for. That would be tough.

If you suspect foul play, you move to Texas and catch them on the "rise" ;D
I think that old law is still on the books?
Reminds me of this joke. I'll clean it up a bit.

A guy is in the clubhouse after a round of golf.
One of the other members asks him why he hasn't been around lately?

"My Wife passed away do from suffocation brought on by having a STD".
The member  offered his condolences then after a short pause said " Wait a minute, you don't die of that from a STD?
The newly single guy replied " You do when you GIVE it to me!

Mrs. Wally never cares if I leave, never asks where I'm goin' or when I'll return???

Problem?

Back on topic you guys  ;D

Saturday I sold my QCC. Yesterday we picked up our kayaks for our Lake Superior trip. A Valley Nordkapp for me, and a P&H Cetus MV for her. Merry Christmas  :)

I still have some boats to sale. Trying to make room for new boats. Everytime I sell one, I buy another. 13 under roof in various locations. Watch the gear for sale area. Can't keep them all.  :'(

I do enjoy the stories/jokes though.

wally wrote on Dec 13^th, 2011 at 5:18am:

Mrs. Wally never cares if I leave, never asks where I'm goin' or when I'll return??? Problem?

Not as long as the bills get paid ;D

Scott Smith called me yesterday about my boat. He said I was next up..........finally! It has been almost a year. To be fair I told him I was in no hurry........ His call was a response to an Email I sent where I said I need the boat this May or I need my dough. Money (or lack of it) tends to get peoples attention. Trial run this spring in Georgian Bay is the plan.

Been reading the book "Nothing is impossible"........the story of Verlen Kreuger. Amazing guy. I figured since I will be for all intents and purposes paddling a boat he designed I should become familiar with the man and get a sneak peek of the boat.

Seeing pics of him launching in heavy surf created quite a stir in me. I couldn't imagine launching and paddling in conditions even close to that (and I still can't!).

He also slept in the boat with some frequency.........nap time anyone? Anyway I'm looking forward to it. He said he would send some pics of construction which I will try and figure out how to post. I've been to his shop and seen the molds and his workmanship. Should be a nice ride.