Crossing the River

" We have a saying, 'Dana prajna paramita'. Dana means to give, prajna is wisdom, and paramita means to cross over, or to reach the other shore. Our life can be seen as a crossing of a river. The goal of our life's effort is to reach the other shore, Nirvana. Prajna paramita, the true wisdom of life, is that in each step of the way, the other shore is actually reached. To reach the other shore with each step of the crossing is the way of true living. "

pp. 69-70 of "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryu Suzuki
published by Shambhala Publications Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-1-59030-267-5

Vallecito Creek in Winter

this is south of the campground (thus well below the takeout for the whitewater run), but above where it is totally absorbed by the lake and the confluence of Los Pinos on the other side of Middle Mountain

sweet shuttle vehicle

your vote could help a fellow paddler go to New Zealand

http://www.your-big-break.com/entry/10169

Ed Huber has been making videos as long as I've known him. He has a good eye with the camera and a solid sense of what he wants to do with each project.

Having a breakout in the creative world often means finding a way to get your bills paid for a little while so that you can make a project that will have a different impact and gain more exposure. Ed is not a trustfunder. He has always had to work. So, his creative talents have been mostly confined to regional work. (although Lake Placid and Watertown, NY have GREATLY benefitted from his presence)

Give Ed your vote, and give him a chance to sink his teeth into a unique project where I'm sure he'll make an incredible video.

Grand Canyon

http://www.nrsweb.com/clydes_trip/intro.asp?&tn=206

I have applied for permits, so I'm totally obsessing over the logistics, and the blog on NRS' website has been a good place to see things all in one place, and a nice place to start.

Log in Stairway (2nd drop)

Bulls Bridge, Housatonic River, CT
2nd drop of "Stairway..." rapid, the river right side that slides around "Little Niagra"
Looks like the old log has something new under it that made it stand up.



it's in the main line so a swimmer would probably wash into it
there is a way around it in a boat, but the margin for error is SUPER small
probably best to just wait until we get it out of there

Happy Thanksgiving

Fall Creek helmet cam (full run)

Fall Creek helmet cam from ARTandWATER on Vimeo.

Helmet cam footage from 2009

shows you the length (or really, how short) this nice little creek is.

The camera is wide angle so makes things seem a bit smaller, but not by much.

more to paddling that just the water

There are the friendships, new and old.

There is the environment;
no matter how you feel about the specifics of how we need to manage the environment, I think that most people who are into boating enjoy being outside in a more natural environment

There is the personal challenge;
whether you are pushing your personal limits
getting a personal first descent
challenging a familar move in a new way
getting used some new gear

There is the familiarity
and a sense of belonging
(oddly enough) in a sport that very few people know anything about

sometimes you just need to paddle

and forget your job
forget sales
forget repairs
forget everything else
and just paddle

The East Coast has had water, and this Fall has been relatively warm so far, so I expect that most people are finding ways to get outside and enjoy paddling.

Mad Boy vs. Gangster

Gangster

Mad Boy

in this last photo...
YELLOW boats on left: Critical Mass and Mad Boy
RED boats in middle: Mafia and Mad Boy
BLUE boats on right: Gangster and Mad Boy

some more links with additional information...
Mad
Boy Review
Outfitting
On the Water
first impressions

Mad Boy vs. Mafia

Mafia

Mad Boy

in this last photo...
YELLOW boats on left: Critical Mass and Mad Boy
RED boats in middle: Mafia and Mad Boy
BLUE boats on right: Gangster and Mad Boy

some more links with additional information...
Mad
Boy Review
Outfitting
On the Water
first impressions

Mad Boy vs. Critical Mass

Critical Mass

Mad Boy

in this last photo...
YELLOW boats on left: Critical Mass and Mad Boy
RED boats in middle: Mafia and Mad Boy
BLUE boats on right: Gangster and Mad Boy

some more links with additional information...
Mad
Boy Review
Outfitting
On the Water
first impressions

Dragorossi Critical Mass vs. Prijon Rocket

Dragorossi Reaction Vs. Riot Hammer

the Mafia loops? (in the pool)

this video made me smile so I thought I'd share
I'm glad it's still summer around here so no pool yet
think I'll go outside and loop up some creekboat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGGb7j1lHkE

Dragorossi Reaction Vs. Prijon Hurricane

Dragorossi reaction Vs. Dagger Outburst

Boat Sale

just saw this on the DR message board.
Tony Z is selling off what he has left from this past year so it's an opportunity to get a pretty good deal on a Dragorossi kayak.

http://2imagine.net/chat/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=213

Dragorossi Reaction Vs. Dagger Crossfire