Kayaking on Sulphur Creek Reservoir

This Advanced Elements system consists of an inflatable PVC body with a neoprene skin that has a double PVC skid pad on the bottom. It has rigid hull panels in front and rear and a stabilizer fin, a detachable seat back, a bunch of little mesh pouches and a bungee pocket. It's actually very comfortable (if a little claustophobic for the feet, but that's a kayak for you) and easy to set up and tear down. The foot pump, which both inflates and deflates, works so well it only takes about a dozen compressions to fill the main chamber. The floor and two tubes for the splash deflector are the only other things that require inflation, and they have nifty twist valves so the air doesn't leak out when you pull the fitting off. I put my camera and cellphone in the dry bag but discovered later that in the center of the reservoir I have no service anyway. It would have been a lot easier to get in and out of the kayak if my foot didn't sink ten inches into dense clay. At one point I thought I was going to have to take my sandal off to get my foot loose. Maybe next time I'll try the boat ramp on the other end of the dam.

Ready to go- pack weighs about 25 lbs. with life jacket (which I bought at Jubilee's Sports World), oar, pump, seat and kayak. I burned the most calories hosing and cleaning it out on the lawn when I got home. The PVC body is completely removable, so the two pieces can be hosed down and toweled off separately. Easy! I survived the adventure with nothing worse than marks rubbed in my shoulders from hauling the thing- I walked about half a mile and spooked some cows because I didn't want to launch anywhere near the fishermen, just in case I tipped it over- and a pretty good blister between my right thumb and index finger. The rowing machine I have at home is a completely different animal, but this required no more exertion. After about five minutes of getting to know the Dragonfly I was cruising smoothly and swiftly across the water. It's a very serene activity, if a little damp.

This is why I went home.

Morning glory outlet, replete with complementary art by local hoodlums. Short hoodlums, and rather uncreative.