A Paddler's christmas Poem 2008 ~ written by Frank Masterman
While out shoveling the white stuff this morning and counting my blessings,counting them "Flake by Flake",
I saw my canoe still tied to the trailer for a possible late season run, and my thoughts went to my last paddling
adventure. As this happened to be on the Mackinaw River from Sparks Bridge to Hwy 150, my mind began to meander
with Christmas thoughts and paddling thoughts getting all-a-jumble.
When this happens, as is often in recent years,
I attempt to put my thoughts on paper, or on screen if you know what I mean.
I have shared this morning's
ramblings as an attachment and if you wish, you may feel free to share this with those in your life with a common
interest in enjoying the water in peace and quiet. Even though some do it in those little plastic kayaky looking
things, I suppose we can be forgiving at this time of year. Heh, Heh.
A Paddler’s Christmas
T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the land…
Not a snowflake was falling, and we could see sand.
It was a nice evening, and most were asleep…
Except for a few, seeking the deep.
The canoes were all launched, and the kayaks as well…
With all having fun, one could see it was swell.
We were out having joy, in the moonlight you see…
And nobody else was there to be.
Then I heard a rattle, or was that a clank?…
I hope that nobody, flipped over and sank.
But around the bend, we came to a sight…
Quite the view to behold, in the moonlight.
And there he was, in a john boat of course…
Coming from where, we know not the source.
He looked sort of funny, dressed in that red suit…
His life vest was zipped up, and one very wet boot.
But as you might bet, he had run aground…
The water was shallow, and we heard but one sound.
Was that a sniffle, or was it a cry?
Why he was like this? We know not why.
So loaded he was, and bearing a gift…
And so we asked him, “Do you need a lift?”
He said with a smile, from his big green boat…
“My sleigh has no pontoons, and it cannot float”.
I’m out here alone, and I was to aspire…
To get the job done, but I’m in a quagmire.
So we offered a hand, to help him deliver…
All the presents we could, alongside the river.
The gifts came a tumbling, into our crafts…
The loads were quite great, for our shallow drafts.
We headed on downstream, loaded for bear…
He was like a new man, with nary a care.
With chimneys so high, we were so perplexed…
And no reindeer to fly, we thought we were vexed.
But he had recovered, and in a good humor…
With rosy red cheeks, he’s no longer a gloomer.
He laid up his finger, alongside his nose…
“I have an idea, so I suppose”.
“It’s a ladder we need, to get the job done”…
What an idea, from the big bearded one.
So we all took a paddle, and with tow-line in hand…
As we can’t just leave gifts, out on the sand.
We weaved and we tied, the paddles together…
It’s a very good thing, we each had a tether.
as we floated along, from dock to dock…
He busied himself, filling a sock.
As we all knew he would, he got the job done...
Then he said it to us, “I must be a’ run”.
As he rowed on downstream, and went out of sight
I thought I heard something, off to the right.
Was it an echo, or was it my mind…
Playing those tricks, that are so unkind?
What was going on? My mind it did churn…
It was just the river, with a sweeping return.
His voice bellowed out, in the moonlight…
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”
And though we had fun, this wonderful eve…
We must always remember, and not be naïve.
So I added aloud, to my crewmates adrift…
As in our minds, we must make a shift.
“And we lest not forget, the real and true reason…
We all celebrate, this Christmas season!”
Verse by Frank Masterman
Merry Christmas, 2008
TOP
Alan Welch asked the question "Which has been around longer - the canoe or the kayak?"
Here are a couple of interesting sites with a bit of information on the dugout canoe and the kayak -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/kayaks and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canoe and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dugout_canoe
"The oldest recovered canoe in the world is the canoe of Pesse (the Netherlands).
According to C14 dating analysis it was constructed somewhere between 8200 and 7600 BC. This canoe
is exhibited in the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands."
I think maybe the canoes win this one!
TOP
Kayakers and Canoeist Bits of Wisdom - compiled and submitted by Ken Powell
1. Kayaking and Canoeing is as safe as you want it to be.
2. A bad day on the water is a better than a good day at work.
3. As amusing as it is to watch your kayak or canoe flying,
it's safer to check the tie job regularly.
4. Life has its risks. Kayaking and canoeing is one of them. Use
common sense, and there is never reason to fear.
5. You can only have so much technique.
After that you just have to pull harder.
6. If you do what you have always done,
you are not learning anything.
7. Take photos of the silly moments.
These make the best memories.
8. The water can be your most comforting companion.
9. The water is a powerful ally.
10. The water could be your most deadly enemy.
11. Go out of you way to learn all you can about your sport.
12. Offer advice to others without them having to ask for it,
but don't force it on them.
13. Allow your children to find their own paddling path.
14. Share your ideas with the rest of the paddling world
so that they too may benefit from you intellect and experience.
15. When in doubt...scout.
16. Somtimes you need to break the rules and paddle alone.
17. Offer to take a photo of the trip photographer, After all,
he went everywhere you did.
18. Always consider the consequences of you actions.
19. There is nothing quite so fun as simply messing about in boats.
20. The joy of paddling a new boat lasts only as long as the boat
looks new. Look after your equipment, and the pleasure will last.
21. The forward stroke is the most important technique of all and
the most neglected.
22. Sometimes you will want to paddle with people who are better than you.
23. Compliment an inferior paddler on their efforts.
24. Give back to the water more than you take from it so that your children
may too enjoy it.
25. When buying a kayak, listen to your friends' advice, but take their
ability and exposure into account.
26. You learn from your mistakes. Make lots of them (safely).
27. Don't use antiquated gear. New technology is worth its weight in gold.
28. More kayakers and canoeist die on the road than on the water.
29. If you are kayaking and canoeing within your limits,
it's safer than taking a bath.
30. Trees are bad news. Stay away from them at all costs.
31. A trip on water is also a road trip. The adventure starts when you
turn the engine on.
32. Always tie you kayak on its side or upside down to avoid deformation
of the hull.
33. Store your kayak in a cool, dry place, hung vertically if possible
34. If you don't have a trip leader, then by the end of the trip you'll have ten.
Elect one and respect his decisions.
35. Don't forget your life jacket. It's no good to anyone at home.
TOP
"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
from "The Wind in the Willows" - Author Kenneth Grahame (1859 - 1932)
Originally published in 1908, 1913, 1933, 1935 by Charles Scribner's Sons
Illustrator Arthur Rackham (1867 - 1939)
"He that plants a tree loves other besides himself."
Dr. Thomas Fuller (1654-1734)
TOP
"The woods were made for the hunters of dreams;The brooks for the fisher of song;
To the hunters who hunt for the gunless game;The streams and the woods belong."
Sam Walter Foss
TOP
"The cultivation of trees is the cultivation of the good,
the beautiful, and the enobling."
J. Sterling Morton
TOP
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere
where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does
one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the
simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that
then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be.
And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles."
Anne Frank
TOP
"The only words that ever satisfied me as describing Nature are the terms used in the fairy
books, "charm," "spell," "enchantment." ...A tree grows fruit because it is a magic tree.
Water runs downhill because it is bewitched. The sun shines because it is bewitched."
G. K. Chesterton
TOP
"Canoeing takes only a few simple tools, a few refined movements that
require a short time to learn and a lifetime to master, and a willingness to be a joyful
apprentice to your craft for the remainder of your days." - Gordon Grant
TOP
"It's June. Time for canoeing and hiking and skipping stones on quiet bays. Time for loon
calls and lemonade." -Jerry Wilber
TOP
