Tales from the Log of the Ruptured Duck
- Thread starter Kayak Jack
- Start date
Thanks. I ended up dropping thoughts of that conversion kit. They originally started with a $400 neighborhood price. Then announced out of stock, but you could sign up for a unit at 50% discount when stock arrived. 50% is a very large discount, and it started a little bell of suspicion in the back of my head.
Next message had prices ranging from about $800 down to about $600 according to how long you would delay delivery. Bait and switch tactics. I pulled the plug. Back to standard pedals. Probably better for me anyway?
sigh
Next message had prices ranging from about $800 down to about $600 according to how long you would delay delivery. Bait and switch tactics. I pulled the plug. Back to standard pedals. Probably better for me anyway?
sigh
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If it sounds to good to be true , chances are it isn't. From what you said there is a Rat in the wood pile. I was thinking of making my mountain bike into a electric and decide against it. Figured the best thing to do was to get one that was designed , made and equipped for electric. Cost more but I can't take it ( $$$ ) with me ( when I croak ) and the wife would only spend it so why can't I enjoy it now.
I’ve been advised to not try to modify an existing bike. Buying a whole one makes sense. sigh
PRETTY LAKES STATE PARK
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (locally referred to as the U P, pronounced as “you pea”) are miles and miles, of miles and miles. Historically, it was mining country. Copper and iron.. Snowmobiling hunting, logging, drinking, and making babies are now big activities up there.
About 25 miles NW’ly of Newberry is the Pretty Lakes State Park. (It’s also about 8 miles NW’ly of Pine Stump Junction. Really! And about 30 miles W’ly of where the Edmund Fitzgerald went down.). The area is aptly named. When you launch a canoe, the first thought that occurs is, “Wow! THIS is a really pretty little lake.”
There are at least 7 little lakes in the park, ranging in size from only a few acres to a couple or three hundred acres. Portages are all easy. The trails are well marked, flat, and covered with pine needles. Daytrippers just drag their Tupperware kayaks along behind them. Charlie and I humped our gear, and then dragged the boats.
There are very nice campsites, plenty of trash barrels, outhouses, pitcher pumps, and signposts with local area mapes with distances from point to point and little “You are here” arrows.
After a couple of portages, the idiots are behind you. Day trippers were out paddling to sight-see and fish. Lots of people were landing fish.
One older couple went by, the hubby was paddling a canoe, towing his wife who was snorkeling along behind him. They paused just offshore from our camp, and we chatted a bit. She reported seeing a lot of fish, some good sized. I asked the fellow if he was fishing. With a sly twinkle in his eye, he said, “Not really. But, I am trolling for muskys.” (Muskelunge is a BIG fish 4’-8’ long.)
Our timing was good, going up there. Mosquitoes, black flies, and horseflies plague the early and midsummer in the UP. Locals (called Yoopers) put duct tape on pant cuffs and shirtsleeve cuffs, and wear a headnet to keep them out. Charlie and I had bugshirts along, and I routinely tucked my pantlegs into my socks. But we had only a few mosquitoes, and a bit of repellant took care of them.
We ate simply; no cooking. Just boil water on my Littlebug twig stove or in a JetBoil. Most foods were just eaten out of hand. Time was spent walking, sitting, paddling, conversing, napping, and smoking cigars. I tell only true stories anyway.
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (locally referred to as the U P, pronounced as “you pea”) are miles and miles, of miles and miles. Historically, it was mining country. Copper and iron.. Snowmobiling hunting, logging, drinking, and making babies are now big activities up there.
About 25 miles NW’ly of Newberry is the Pretty Lakes State Park. (It’s also about 8 miles NW’ly of Pine Stump Junction. Really! And about 30 miles W’ly of where the Edmund Fitzgerald went down.). The area is aptly named. When you launch a canoe, the first thought that occurs is, “Wow! THIS is a really pretty little lake.”
There are at least 7 little lakes in the park, ranging in size from only a few acres to a couple or three hundred acres. Portages are all easy. The trails are well marked, flat, and covered with pine needles. Daytrippers just drag their Tupperware kayaks along behind them. Charlie and I humped our gear, and then dragged the boats.
There are very nice campsites, plenty of trash barrels, outhouses, pitcher pumps, and signposts with local area mapes with distances from point to point and little “You are here” arrows.
After a couple of portages, the idiots are behind you. Day trippers were out paddling to sight-see and fish. Lots of people were landing fish.
One older couple went by, the hubby was paddling a canoe, towing his wife who was snorkeling along behind him. They paused just offshore from our camp, and we chatted a bit. She reported seeing a lot of fish, some good sized. I asked the fellow if he was fishing. With a sly twinkle in his eye, he said, “Not really. But, I am trolling for muskys.” (Muskelunge is a BIG fish 4’-8’ long.)
Our timing was good, going up there. Mosquitoes, black flies, and horseflies plague the early and midsummer in the UP. Locals (called Yoopers) put duct tape on pant cuffs and shirtsleeve cuffs, and wear a headnet to keep them out. Charlie and I had bugshirts along, and I routinely tucked my pantlegs into my socks. But we had only a few mosquitoes, and a bit of repellant took care of them.
We ate simply; no cooking. Just boil water on my Littlebug twig stove or in a JetBoil. Most foods were just eaten out of hand. Time was spent walking, sitting, paddling, conversing, napping, and smoking cigars. I tell only true stories anyway.
Thanks, guys. We had a good trip.
I’d forgotten to mention that every morning, we had sandhill cranes gargling their weird calls about a half a mile away. And at any time, day or night, loons were out there diving for fish, flying with wingbeats underwater.
When they surface, they send out a “locator” call to their partner, basically saying,”Here I am. Where are you?” A call of the wild. When diving for fish, they usually resurface 80-90 yards away from where they dove. They often regroup and swim around some, then dive again.
I’d forgotten to mention that every morning, we had sandhill cranes gargling their weird calls about a half a mile away. And at any time, day or night, loons were out there diving for fish, flying with wingbeats underwater.
When they surface, they send out a “locator” call to their partner, basically saying,”Here I am. Where are you?” A call of the wild. When diving for fish, they usually resurface 80-90 yards away from where they dove. They often regroup and swim around some, then dive again.
When I label a loon’s yodel as a “call of the wild”, it echoes inside my head. It usually brings a smile to my face. They are a lovely bird.
Another call of the wild affected me differently. A couple of times in the Sierra Nevadas, a wolf would cut loose. In those granite mountains, the howl would bounce, several times. I not only couldn’t tell from which direction it was coming - I couldn’t tell how far away it was. The howl wraps all around you, and comes from everywhere, all at the same time. I couldn’t keep the back of my neck still. Hair bristled, then chills radiated out. It’s deep in our genes, guys.
One night a cougar’s scream awoke Bill, my trail partner. Then he woke me up. He was clearly shook. But, I was still groggy with sleep. The next morning I thought more about it. “Sumbich! That was a COUGAR”!
Another call of the wild affected me differently. A couple of times in the Sierra Nevadas, a wolf would cut loose. In those granite mountains, the howl would bounce, several times. I not only couldn’t tell from which direction it was coming - I couldn’t tell how far away it was. The howl wraps all around you, and comes from everywhere, all at the same time. I couldn’t keep the back of my neck still. Hair bristled, then chills radiated out. It’s deep in our genes, guys.
One night a cougar’s scream awoke Bill, my trail partner. Then he woke me up. He was clearly shook. But, I was still groggy with sleep. The next morning I thought more about it. “Sumbich! That was a COUGAR”!
A panthers scream is something you never forget. When I was a kid ( late 50's ) the folks had about 30 feet between the pool and the south end of the houses living room. It's a nice evening and the windows are open , Quiet and you could hear a pin drop. All of a sudden this loud , piercing , scream comes from the area between the pool and the house. You can imagine what it was like , every hair on your body stands straight up ... what the hell was that. Next day we realized what it was when we asked a neighbor who has been there all his life.
Joe lived about 1/2 mile down the road from us and he had a panther encounter that same night. Seams he was relaxing and heard a cat meowing. He has no love for cats so he went out side to shag it away. As he went out to check he found that cat , A Panther. Joe went inside and the cat departed for parts unknown. ( We know where it went )
The house was located in 5 acres of woods and a small creek ( ditch ) which ran threw the property. It drained into a Lake about 2 miles away. The locals called the creek , Painter Creek , Painter was a local term for Panther.
Back then having a Panther around was more or less normal. You could go for a , local, evening drive looking for wildlife and see one at times. Florida says that is no such critter as a Black Panther but I have seen both , Tan ones and Black ones.
Another scream that will get your attention is that from the Barred Owl. Especially if it's close to your camp or worse , directly overhead.
Joe lived about 1/2 mile down the road from us and he had a panther encounter that same night. Seams he was relaxing and heard a cat meowing. He has no love for cats so he went out side to shag it away. As he went out to check he found that cat , A Panther. Joe went inside and the cat departed for parts unknown. ( We know where it went )
The house was located in 5 acres of woods and a small creek ( ditch ) which ran threw the property. It drained into a Lake about 2 miles away. The locals called the creek , Painter Creek , Painter was a local term for Panther.
Back then having a Panther around was more or less normal. You could go for a , local, evening drive looking for wildlife and see one at times. Florida says that is no such critter as a Black Panther but I have seen both , Tan ones and Black ones.
Another scream that will get your attention is that from the Barred Owl. Especially if it's close to your camp or worse , directly overhead.
Though I’ve been close to a mother panther with at least one kitten (fresh pad prints in the sand, and at the same location where my buddy heard the scream) I have never actually heard one scream, nor sighted one. I have no doubt that she sighted me, though. And, probably didn’t like me being there.
A couple of years ago. I was walking down the old RR ( Part of the Florida Trail today ) Fill by the house just having a good day. As I walked along I have the habit of looking for tracks. In the early morning usually there are a lot of tracks. It gives me a good idea of the animal traffic in the area.
I went down to the river and along part of it. Stopped and had a break then started back towards home which is about a 3 , 1/2 mile distance. When I got to a sandy part just before the river I was looking for tracks. I noticed my foot prints from the way down and got a surprise. Over one of my prints was a print of a Panther. Looking some more there were more cat tracks doing the same thing. Not sure if he was following me or came along after I had passed the area. Probable the latter since the old RR fill makes for easy walking. One thing for sure , it had me looking around a lot more , especially my back trail.
It's nice to know there is some wildlife around here today.
Yesterday I went for a walk and included the paved path by the elementary school. There is a grassy area by the path and the main road. Off to the one side were two yearling deer feeding. I got fairly close and when they started getting nervous I turned around and went back home. It's not unusual to see some deer when I go for my morning walks and it's what can be called a residential area. ( 3 ) subdivisions , ( 1 ) school in what use to be a cow pasture when the wife and I moved out here 43 years ago. Hell , back then I arrested two guys for killing and dismembering a Black Angus cow ( not theirs ) one night , right back of my house , where the school is today.
I went down to the river and along part of it. Stopped and had a break then started back towards home which is about a 3 , 1/2 mile distance. When I got to a sandy part just before the river I was looking for tracks. I noticed my foot prints from the way down and got a surprise. Over one of my prints was a print of a Panther. Looking some more there were more cat tracks doing the same thing. Not sure if he was following me or came along after I had passed the area. Probable the latter since the old RR fill makes for easy walking. One thing for sure , it had me looking around a lot more , especially my back trail.
It's nice to know there is some wildlife around here today.
Yesterday I went for a walk and included the paved path by the elementary school. There is a grassy area by the path and the main road. Off to the one side were two yearling deer feeding. I got fairly close and when they started getting nervous I turned around and went back home. It's not unusual to see some deer when I go for my morning walks and it's what can be called a residential area. ( 3 ) subdivisions , ( 1 ) school in what use to be a cow pasture when the wife and I moved out here 43 years ago. Hell , back then I arrested two guys for killing and dismembering a Black Angus cow ( not theirs ) one night , right back of my house , where the school is today.
Often, your first clue that a cougar is in the neighborhood is when you have four teeth sunk into the back of your neck. That cougar might well have been watching you while you were watching its track?
you did better than me. I’ve never had a cougar follow me, to the best of my knowledge. But I’ve had vultures following me. Though, come to think of it, maybe they were following a cougar? Hmm.
you did better than me. I’ve never had a cougar follow me, to the best of my knowledge. But I’ve had vultures following me. Though, come to think of it, maybe they were following a cougar? Hmm.
Thanks for reviving memories. I grin as I remember fishing the far corners ofBaudcau.☺
On a lot of canoe trips those birds were circling overhead all the time. I started calling them Georgia Eagles since most of them were in Georgia.
As a kid, I’d run a half hour to get back in the woods. Now, I realize that the woods will still be there when I get there. Even if that’s tomorrow.
I like to think that energy is wasted on the youth and wisdom is wasted on the elderly.
Something like that, yeah. As a little kid, I was in the woods and fields and streams daily. Even on into high school and through college, I was in the woods at least once a week. Now, when I’m in the woods, it’s a lot like going home again.
On YouTube is a bushcrafter named Dan Wowack. He’s in Pennsylnania, under the title of CoalCracker, and teaches woodsman skills and techniques. Always finishes his videos with a call to “Go out to the woods!”
On YouTube is a bushcrafter named Dan Wowack. He’s in Pennsylnania, under the title of CoalCracker, and teaches woodsman skills and techniques. Always finishes his videos with a call to “Go out to the woods!”
BEGINNING OF ANOTHER NEW JOURNEY
Yesterday, I bought a new motorcycle. It’s a smaller one, a Honda Super Cub 125. Sixty years ago, I had its great granddad, the original Honda 50 cc. I don’t recall if it had a model name at that time -1961. It was just called the Honda go ju. Go ju is Japanese for 50.
This bike tops out between 50-55mph, depending on terrain, wind, load, etc. I’ll ride on city streets, side roads, back country roads, and state hoghways. No limited access highways or interstate highways. Charlie and I are planning some camping trips of several days. I will be traveling lighter than when canoeing. I ordered a helmet mounted intercom so we can easily communicate while riding. That helps to make it more enjoyable, and safer.
This is going to be fun!
Yesterday, I bought a new motorcycle. It’s a smaller one, a Honda Super Cub 125. Sixty years ago, I had its great granddad, the original Honda 50 cc. I don’t recall if it had a model name at that time -1961. It was just called the Honda go ju. Go ju is Japanese for 50.
This bike tops out between 50-55mph, depending on terrain, wind, load, etc. I’ll ride on city streets, side roads, back country roads, and state hoghways. No limited access highways or interstate highways. Charlie and I are planning some camping trips of several days. I will be traveling lighter than when canoeing. I ordered a helmet mounted intercom so we can easily communicate while riding. That helps to make it more enjoyable, and safer.
This is going to be fun!