Located in the quiet area of the Great Dismal Swamp where Virginia and North Carolina meet is a hidden treasure for anyone who likes to walk, bike, canoe, or kayak. In fact, the park at the Great Dismal Swamp Welcome Center (GDSWC) is one of the few remaining areas of real wilderness on the East coast. Exploring this hidden treasure will provide the opportunity to encounter all sorts of different wildlife and nature. The park is very easy to find, and is ideal for anyone residing in Southeastern Virginia or Northeastern North Carolina. The park itself is located just south of the North Carolina/Virginia state border, with its hub sitting right in the middle of a rest area. Another unique characteristic of the GDSWC is that it is approachable by land or by boat. The Great Dismal Swamp Canal adjoins to the inter-coastal waterway, allowing boats from all over to navigate right up to the rest area itself. In addition to ease-of-access, this feature provides great scenery to enjoy lunch; my family and I do so regularly! The trails themselves range from easy to moderate difficulty. The trail known locally as "the greenway," is an asphalt paved trail that runs parallel between US Hwy 17 and the Dismal Swamp Canal for about 2.75 miles of length. This is one of the easier trails, and is smooth, relatively flat and wide, making it suitable for walkers, joggers, or bikers. There is a treeline separating the trail from the highway, and with the natural forest of the swamp on the other side, there is a constant canopy for shade. This trail is great whether you are an active jogger, taking the family on a bike ride, or an older person in a rascal; no matter what, you're going to have a great time. There are more difficult trails on the swamp side of the park, a couple for hiking and one for mountain biking. These trails are not paved, and are more suitable for those interested in cross country conditions. The mountain bike trail is mostly sand, with occasional beds of pine needles, mud, sticks, etc. Speaking from personal experience, my five and seven year old boys had a hard time on this one. The mountain bike trail is also a longer one, being around 9 miles in length. With the rest area close by, there is always room to park and a place to take care of things like hand washing, bathroom using, and of course, resting. Locally, the park is also known for its "Paddle for the Border" event, where canoers and kayakers register annually to participate in an organized tour of the Dismal Swamp Canal. No matter canal or trail is right for you, I'm certain you'll have an enjoyable time at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center.
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Today's Kayaks Accommodate Everyone, from the Casual Paddler to the Serious Sportsman
The year was 2015. I had never been on a kayak before. I was nervous. Nervous until the moment we slid, smooth and quiet, out onto the water. From that moment forward, I was hooked. My first kayak adventure was hardly one to write home about. I went with a friend in a two-seat, sit on top kayak to a calm lagoon. There were no sharks, no waves, no rapids to navigate; just the fragrance of pine trees along the shore, the reflection of blue sky on the water's glassy surface, and the sound and sight of myriad birds. Since then I've been back to that very spot many times, but in my own sit on top kayak, a "yak board", with room for just one person, and with stability and versatility of a wide, shallow hull and plastic construction. I can float in as little as five inches of water. I can ride waves on the ocean. I can take a nap in the sun or explore coves alive with birds, deer, and coyote and, by night, raccoons and opossums. At eight feet long and forty pounds, I can get it in and out of my truck with little problem. With nothing more than a camera and some bottled water, I can stay entertained for hours. Today's Kayaker Kayaking used to be a sport for professionals and those with considerable income to dispose of, but in recent years manufacturers have recognized, and accommodated, the desires of a much wider audience. Kayaking is for anyone who enjoys being outdoors and getting some healthy exercise. Kayaks come in every imaginable shape and color, from the traditional enclosed body, usually made with fiberglass and built for speed, to the yak board; a hybrid design that can be used for surfing as well as moderate river kayaking or sedate trips around a calm pond. The History of the Vessel The first kayaks belonged to indigenous people of Alaska, Canada, Siberia and the north coast of Washington and Oregon. Made of stretched skin over a wood or bone frame, they were made for hunting in the frigid waters of the northern seas. Sturdy and waterproof, they allowed people to hunt everything from small fish to whales. Today's kayak is a popular vehicle for fishing, and many models are molded to accommodate trolling motors and fishing poles. The variety of accessories you can buy are literally endless. You can even turn your kayak into a catamaran, with attachable outriggers and sails. Some kayaks come with paddles for your feet, so you can ply the waters in much the same way you would ride a bicycle. Navigating the Choices When I purchased mine, I went to Sport Chalet, full of enthusiasm and very short on practical knowledge. I lived at a place called Lakeshore, although it would be a while before I figured out how to get permission to paddle on a private lake that had never been kayaked before. I also lived within fifteen miles of Castaic Lake, where I had taken my first gentle ride. I knew only one thing; I wanted a kayak of my own, and I wanted to be on it every chance I got. Fortunately the people who helped me make that first purchase were a lot more savvy than I was. They asked me some important questions. What kind of kayaking would I be doing? How much experience did I have? What sort of activities might I use my kayak for? What I would have bought, without good direction, was a sit-inside, fiberglass, narrow bodied traditional kayak. Fortunately that's not what I came home with. The yak board turned out to be a much more appropriate vessel for a rank amateur with a hankering for taking pictures and a knack for finding shallow, rocky shorelines. Learning my Limits Some of my earliest adventures were noteworthy. I learned the limits of my own endurance. For example, three hours of paddling on a cold day was about my limit. Wind over five miles an hour, which seems like nothing when you're standing on the shore, is about my limit for sustained paddling. And the waves at Surfer's Point in Ventura on good surfing day? Well over my limit...but one of the most exhilarating eight second rides you can have unless you strap yourself to the back of bull. The plastic-hulled kayak seems to have less limitations. Once, in Malibu Lagoon, I thrust it into a submerged boulder with such force I almost landed in the water. It was scratched, to be sure, but it continued to float, as it does to this day. When I got over the initial shock of the abrupt stop, I dragged the kayak out to deeper water and got back in. There I saw an astounding twenty six bird species, and felt the whiskers of a curious harbor seal against my fingers; the kind of encounter you can only have with wildlife if you are in or on the water. Six Pack Abs Kayaking has a number of benefits. For women, it's a relatively safe activity you can do by yourself. For people just getting into shape, it's a great way to build upper body strength and cardiovascular endurance. For those who are already fit, kayaking will definitely help you stay that way. Prior to getting a kayak of my own, I'd never had anything resembling abdominal muscles. I'd sooner eat cake than do sit-ups, and they actually hurt my spine so I have a medical excuse to avoid them. I've never set foot inside a gym; not even to visit someone who was working out. Once I started kayaking on a regular basis, I started noticed something I'd never seen on my own body before...a waistline. Physical health is only half the story, however. Being out on the water, regardless of the weather, has an almost magical, calming effect. You lose tracks of stressful thoughts. You become distracted by the movement of the natural world, and the silence. You glance down into the water and see fish, turtles, and on the ocean, sea lions and seals; in an estuary rays will sometimes float beneath you with effortless propulsion. Waterfowl dominate your personal landscape. And it is just that; a personal, private, comforting space. Experiences of a Lifetime I've had many wonderful encounters with wildlife, and met some real nice people, since I set my hindquarters to a kayak. There is one that stands out in my memory. There's a beautiful place in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains called Convict Lake. Since I was a child I wanted to go there. In 2013 I finally did. The ice had barely melted back enough to launch the kayak. The water was silent, still, and crystal clear. A woman on the shore watched a pair of bald eagles there a telescope. She said they were on the far side of the lake. With wetsuit, sheepskin slippers, camera and boundless enthusiasm, I embarked. I don't know how long it took the reach the eagles. I left my phone and my watch behind. I do know that it was one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I have ever been. I suspect that cold water is denser than warm water, because it seemed that paddling was more difficult than I remembered. Perhaps it was the altitude, or simply my eagerness to see a pair of eagles in the wild. I did indeed see them, photograph them, and behold the splendor of a pristine, show covered wilderness as if it were mine alone. On that particular morning, save for the wild things, it was, indeed, my personal paradise. Here Kayaking offers a lifetime of varied benefits: read more
Provided below is my personal review of Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Location & Information: 13389 Hwy 18, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 53821 (Phone: 608-994-2860) (Email: [email protected]) Travel Distances to Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin: (www.mapquest.com) Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 181 miles; Madison, Wisconsin: 102 miles; Green Bay, Wisconsin: 240 miles; St. Paul, Minnesota: 211 miles; Chicago, Illinois: 244 miles; Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin: 117 miles; La Crosse, Wisconsin: 62 miles; Appleton, Wisconsin: 211 miles Important Key Notes & Tips about Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental in Wisconsin: * canoeing and kayaking trips are taken on the Wisconsin River, * canoe rentals available, * kayak rentals available, * single day trips available, * overnight trips available, * bait, tackle, propane, and beverages available, * all ages and skill levels welcomed, * discounts available to churches, schools, and scout groups, * Captain's Cove Motel available for overnight stays, * shuttles, paddles, and lifejackets provided for your trip, * lifejackets are required to be worn during your trip, * reservations required About Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin: Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental is located in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Canoe and kayak trips are taken down the lower stretches of the Wisconsin River, which provides plenty of beautiful and scenic views. Canoeing and kayaking trips can be taken in a single day in as short as one and a half hours, or spread out over a several day period which includes overnight stays that can be reserved at Captain's Cove Motel. Prices & Costs: Rates for canoeing and kayaking at Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental are reasonable. The shortest trip of one and a half hours only costs around $10, while longer trips cost around $25. Overnight stays are also very reasonable as you can spend a night at Captain's Cove Motel for about $60 per night. All supplies and equipment needed for your canoeing or kayaking trip are provided with the cost of the rate fee, including life preservers and paddles so you do not have to worry about bringing your own. Summary and Recommendation: After kayaking and canoeing at Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a fun outdoor family activity. The trips are great for all ages and skill levels, so you do not have to worry about trying to be a pro in order to have fun. The kids will truly enjoy this family day out. The lower Wisconsin River also provides beautiful scenic landscape and numerous wildlife and birds, so any nature loving person is sure to cherish this outdoor excursion. Overall, I would recommend kayaking or canoeing at Captain's Cove Canoe and Kayak Rental in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to families looking for a fun family activity that the entire family can enjoy. The $5 Solution to Catching Fish in Any Water Condition
Creating an effective fishing lure will definitely give you the upper edge when out fishing on the riverbank of a mountain stream or when tackling the tidal flats of a salt marsh. One of the most effective fishing lures known to an angler can be crafted from a simple metal spoon. Rather than paying top dollar for the latest high tech holographic fishing lures at your local sporting goods store, you can save tremendous amounts of money by investing just a little time and effort that will pay off big time the next time you land that fish that wins the tournament or wins the bragging rights with your fishing buddies. There are a few things you will need in order to complete this project. You will need some holographic glitter, 2 feet of fishing line, a pair of scissors, some clear enamel brush on paint, a small paint brush, a hacksaw, a spoon, a few fishing hooks, some multiple colored feathers, a mallet, a small drill with metal boring bit, a small wood block and some crazy glue. Once you have these materials together you can begin to put the lure together. All in all expect to spend about between 30 minutes to an hour to assemble the lure. The first step is to use the hacksaw and cut off the spoon part from the spoon's handle. Then use the wood block and the mallet to flatten the spoon out. Make sure that the spoon is fully flattened out. This insures easier assembly of the lure. Next you need to use the small drill with the metal boring bit to drill holes where you are going to want to hang fishing hooks off of your lure. Next you need to attach your fishing hooks by cutting off a small piece of fishing line and then using the fishing line to tie a hook through each hole where you want a hook to hang off of your lure. Following this you need to pour some of the holographic glitter into the clear enamel brush on pain. Use your paint brush to completely mix the glitter throughout the paint. Then use the paint brush to paint on the holographic glitter to both sides of the spoon. As your final step you need to use the crazy glue to attach a few of the multiple colored feathers where you would like to on the spoon. This makes the spoon lure not only something shiny that attracts the fish's attention but gives them the illusion that this lure is some kind of a bug. When most fish spot a lure of this kind they will chase it and bite like crazy until they are soon caught on your line thus giving you the catch of the day. At this point the lure is finished. Let the glue and paint dry for about 3 hours before you attempt to use the lure. Now you will have invested a sum total of 4 hours max to create a lure that would have cost you between $20 and $50 dollars at your local sporting goods store. Not only have you saved money by making this lure yourself but you will also be the envy of your buddies when you are the one out there catching fish and then you tell them your lure that landed the biggest fish of the day cost you less than $5 dollars to make. Kayak is a type of small narrow boat that is used for various methods such as kayak can be used for both recreational activities and also for sports. This article will take a look at kayak and also the designs of the modern kayak boat and how it varies from the traditional kayak boat.
Kayak, as mentioned previously, is a small boat which is shaped in a narrow shape. This is because the narrow shape of the kayak boat will provide a faster speed and also agility to the kayak boat than other types of traditional boats. The kayak boat is propelled in the water by the means of a double bladed paddle. The word kayak is originated from the Greenlandic language that means a small boat. However the term varies worldwide. For example: In the UK the kayak is somewhat similar to canoe, which is also another type of small boat. However the kayak boat is quite distinctive than other types of small boats that are available for use. The traditional boat kayak comes with a covered deck and also one to two or more seats for the rowers of the kayak and also each of the seats of the rowers will have one double bladed paddler to propel the boat in the water. The cockpit of the kayak is sometimes found to be covered with an additional type of equipment known as spray deck. The reason sometimes a spray deck is used because the spay deck helps to prevent the entry of splashing water waves or the spray of waves when the kayak boat is paddled and propelled in the water. This makes the kayak rowers to propel the boat much more comfortably without getting drenched in the coming splash of water from the water body while rowing the kayak boat. There is also another advantage of using a spray deck, which is that the kayak will not get filled with the splashed water if the kayak boat is meant to be on the water for a bit longer time. The modern kayak boats also differ from the traditional kayak boats in many ways. For example in the modern kayak boats, the cockpit that is found generally on the traditional kayak boat is removed from the design and it is instead replaced by a paddler that is placed on the kayak boat. Also an inflated chamber of air is used in the surrounding of the boat. Another change in the design of the modern kayak boat is that the single hull of the kayak boat is replaced by the twin hulls in the kayak boat. Also the double bladed paddles that are meant to propel the kayak boat is also sometimes replaced with the other methods of propulsion of the kayak boat such as small electric motors or outboard gas engines. These methods of propulsion makes the kayak move at much faster speed and also it adds to the agility of the movement of the kayak boat. The main factors are portability and storage. It is convenient for many to travel with an inflatable Kayak either tossed into the back of your car or carrying along with you wherever you might be going. When it comes to storage, inflatables also solve many problems – they can easily fit in a closet or car, and there is no need for expensive roof racks. Several inflatable Kayaks are lightweight; they are easy to manage – some can hold up three paddlers, making it great for family fun. Most are very stable, great for those nervous about the water. Many have hulls which can take scrapes, bumps and other obstacles without a problem. In the off chance that you do puncture your kayak, it can be easily repaired with the included maintenance kits. Just cut a patch, stick it on with some glue, apply pressure and leave it overnight. Different styles of inflatable Kayak
Nowadays, you have so many different styles of inflatable Kayaks to choose from for a variety of water activities, suitable for oceans, ponds, rivers, etc. Here some explanations of kayak styles to consider and some related terms. You should choose style according to your usage else it can be dangerous for safety. Self-bailing kayaks: Mainly used for whitewater, self-bailing kayaks have several ports (holes) in the bottom of the kayak. These allow water to enter the kayak and pass back out when in fast-moving whitewater, making sure the boat doesn’t fill up. It will be a wet ride. However, if water is calm and smooth, water will be coming in through the floor ports of your Inflatable Kayak. But this can be avoided if you have the plugs that you can open and close as required. A lot of self-bailers do not have tracking fins. This means they might not do as well in flat water. Sit-on-top kayak: This is an open design kayak, great for claustrophobic people, those who find it difficult getting in and out of an enclosed shell, and for those in hotter climates. On the contrary, water may splash in easier unless there is a spray deck. Sit inside kayak: These have enclosed cockpits and are in the design of traditional kayaks. They keep water out of the kayak during cold, wet weather and can be attached to a spray skirt, which further expels water and the wind. Canoe-style: These feature an open design with higher seats and higher walls. Paddlers often use canoe paddles which have single-sided blades as opposed to double-sided kayak paddles. Open style kayak design: This is a kayak version of the canoe style and has lower seats than canoe-style but higher side walls than a sit-on-top. Paddlers use traditional double-sided kayak paddles. It is a hybrid great for people who want the easy entry and a more open design. The higher walls prevent more water from entering the kayak but still are less enclosed. There are also optional spray decks making them more enclosed while keeping more water out. Kayak is one of the most popular water sports and also a recreational activity during the leisure times. There are many ways of using a kayak boat. This article will take a look at some of the tips on paddling a kayak boat more efficiently.
Some of the methods of paddling a kayak boat are mentioned below:
Josh. People have been using Kayaking thousands of years ago for almost all the essential functions in their lives. For example, Kayaking was the only source of war and transportation in past, so this is not a new concept in the modern world. But the name has been changed from Eskimos to Kayaking. In past Kayaking was very popular in northern Arctic regions, because these regions have more oceans and rivers. But there was a huge difference in the way Kayaking was done in past and nowadays. In past there was one hardwood which a person will module and design at home to make a boat for himself, sometimes a strange method was followed to make Kayaking tool that was using the skeleton of the whale to make kayak for kayaking. In addition to this, there were few other objects which were used for kayaking in past, but all were natural ways, and there were more chances of risk and life threatening accidents. If we try to find out the verbal meaning of Kayaking, we will come to know that verbal sense of Kayaking is “"hunter's boat." As the name, suggests it was used for the purpose of hunting in rivers and oceans for fishes and other creatures. For thousands of years, our ancestors have been using Kayaking as primary transportation and hunting source in their lives. They were used to go into oceans and forests to prey animals because in those time hunting was the only source of food for human being. By that time Europeans were not interested in Kayaking as they were enjoying real life, so they didn’t felt it necessary to go for hunting and get food for their families. But then in mid 18000s the English man showed interest in Kayaking and there comes the revolution in the Kayaking industry. After English man, French man also started to use Kayaking for the sports purpose, and it became popular in Europe. Then with the passage of time, there were few changes in the style and method of using Kayaking and methods kept changed with time. Adolf Anderle in 1931 is the first person in history who thought about the new way of making Kayak which will be more secure and light weight. He presented his modern style in the Berlin Olympics games which were held in 1936. This started a new era in kayaking industry in mid 19000s plastic and fiberglass Kayaks were invented. After French in U.S people started to use Kayaking as a game and then it became popular in the whole world until now Kayaking is one of the major games in almost all the countries of the world. Though with the passage of time Kayaking has been modernized, but still, there is room for improvement. As research has shown that even modern ways of kayaking which is called white water Kayaking has so many life threatening risks for the human, which needs to be addressed and new kayaking ways need to be introduced in the Kayaking area. If you are familiar with kayaking on local lake or river- then you will definitely know that how difficult it is to kayak on sea water. Sea is vaster in nature than that of lake or a river and this is also true in terms of depth of the water body. Not only that- the sea in general has more unpredictable weather pattern and also has way larger wave size. Therefore a lot of precaution has to be taken before deciding to kayak on the sea. This article will take a look at how to prepare for sea kayaking the effective way.
Preparation for sea kayaking:
Let's start this first post with something new, innovative and adventures. Oru kayaks, you probably know inflatable kayaks, Hard-Shell Kayaks, but I am 100% that you have never heard about origami kayak yes you hear right origami, like paper origami. Let me explain and you will see that name explains everything. |
AuthorI am Josh 25-year-old mechanical engineer from Bismarck, North Dakota. I love sailing, kayaking and scuba diving. Archives
November 2016
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