3 hours up Sand Creek

I have not been kayaking as much this season, maybe biking a bit more. Yesterday I headed up Sand creek. There were not that many birds, but they were interesting. I saw eagles soaring or sitting, osprey fishing, ducks, etc. One osprey took the plunge straight down into the creek and grabbed a fish and then struggled to carry it into the trees for lunch. I did encounter a belted kingfisher in flight, looking much like this photo I found on the Internet. They are such pretty birds.

The water was fairly flat without the moderate south winds expected in the late morning. My arthritic left shoulder tired toward the 3rd hour, but was not painful. This is likely because I have not been kayaking much this season, but have continued my flexibility exercises. 

The air quality was in the moderate category. The nearest  forest fire is up near the Canadian border, but there are other fires and it is not clear which are contributing to our haze. So far it has not precluded outdoor physical exercise in the cool of morning.

A Conundrum

At age 85, I am nigh to abandoning my kayaking career. Here I am, with my favourite kayak of all time (Boreal Design Ellesmere), looking at abandonment! Well, old age must be acknowledged. But there is an attractive fly in this disagreeable ointment. In late September I may inherit a cult favourite kayak, from my dearly beloved occasional kayak partner and ski buddy. 

The kayak is a cult enthusiast's Mariner Elan. Those unaware of Mariner Kayaks should stop here and dive deep enough into the Mariner details (i.e. look at "marinerkayaks.com") and then return. The site is still maintained and is of general interest.

The Elan is intended for small paddlers. Hey, at 140 pounds that's me! But there is a problem, my feet are not small. The kayak is hostile to a foot size beyond man's US 9. I'll grab it in late September, wear small water shoes, and then decide.

The Elan was the final design produced by the Broze Brothers. There were perhaps 72 made. An original Elan might have a rear watertight hatch - although the Broze Brothers were not fond of such frippery. This particular Elan was modified by John Abercrombie of Victoria MC and has front and rear watertight hatches.

If I sell it, the proceeds will be donated to a bursary established in my friend's name to support aspiring young musicians. Alternatively, if I keep it, I will put equivalent funds into that same bursary. I don't actually have the kayak now, so this is speculative.