What Not: Twenty Years Solo / SUP Lite

 Considering it's been twenty years this year, figured we'd post this old video one more (and last) time:

Solo (2004)

Running Time: 34min. (Approx.)

Only regret is that we wish "the Yo" would have been runnin' a bit higher level - between 4ft to 6ft OPG (Ohiopyle Gauge)  - best level for open boating (our opinion, at least back then). Oh well - ya' take what ya' get.

Tribute to 'Strongman Matt':

Some local creekin'

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After blowing the seams out of two (bit old and well used) inflatable SUP's a few weeks back, then having to persevere a two and one-half mile rocky swim totin' 'em each back to dry dock (muscle girl Sarah and ZMan have both definitely developed "It don't have to be fun to be fun" attitudes), we figured it was time for a few replacements:

Picked up two ultra-lite boards from NRS

Pretty nice on the flatwater. 

Bit of a rockered bow and stern make 'em more responsive when negotiating a few Class I+ shoals and small drops encountered along the usual backyard run.

At 16.5lbs weight (each) they're a bit easier on the shoulders when backpacked (along with all other gear) two to five miles between the various launch sites.

Our only suggestion is that NRS look into stitchin' waist belts on to their SUP packs. In the mean time, we're discussing that upgrade with a local seamstress we know - we're thinkin' a few belt loops for some buckled 2" nylon webbing.

It Don't Have To Be Fun To Be Fun - Episode II

A bit over two miles into a four mile hike-in to our objective lower Yough river launch site situated at the mouth of Indian Creek valley, at confluence with the "mighty Yo". Maybe nine miles down river below the mountain town of "O-hip-o-lee". Our in-house built, "high-tech", but still experimental-phase "kayak and gear trolly" suffers a critical component failure which puts a dead halt to our march. Considering the usual competency of our 'chief engineer in charge of mobility and transportation' we never developed a back-up plan for this situation... now what? 

Subsequent inspection indicates needed repairs beyond our current capability. Considering our meagerly packed "emergency" tooling and hardware, which consisted of one serrated-edged knife with a handle end pommel designed for breaking out vehicle windows if in need of rescuing trapped passengers, we're ill equipped. Also carried the usual repair kit for punctured inflatable tubes. Of no help here. Subsequently, no items such as duct tape, an old inner tube or even a wad of chewing gum - ridiculously simple-sounding items we've used in the past to at least keep us moving until "out of the woods" (literally). 

Takin' a break before the break. The "trolly" totin' a two-man inflatable packed with a second inflatable, paddles, packs and such items. Lots of stuff that no one really wants to carry several miles by hand.

I'm thinkin' "Boy, if we even only had a roll of duct tape!" Which we actually did have - back home in a river repair kit always packed along when canoe tripping. Others are thinkin' too...

Solutions are tossed back and forth. Several suggestions are tried but stall. Muscle Girl Sarah mentions binding the failed connection with a tightly wound cam-strap and all the light bulbs immediately 'luminate... hey, this is gonna work!

Other than one additional temporary stop to re-configure and re-tighten the strapping we continued on unimpeded to the river. 

After a bit of reprimand of chief engineer Howie, we put 'em back to work this week at the drafting table and work bench to resolve the design bugs. Worked great, otherwise.

ICV launch

Time on the river

Shotgun Men

"Nobody torments an old shotgun man... Nobody!"
                                                                     - "John Beaumont", 'The Rifleman' TV show
                                        S2E29, "Shotgun Man"

Couple decent home defense shotguns we've had for a while. Hallway point and shoot. Lots of fun to periodically take out to the gun range.

(top to bottom)

Cimarron Model 1897 "Trench Gun", 12ga.

Remington Model 870, 12ga., 18.5" barrel

Century "Coach Gun", 12ga. S/S

Stoeger "Coach Gun", 20ga. S/S

Stoeger "Condor Outback", 12ga. O/U

Haven't had these out of the cabinet in a while. Almost forgot about the Condor Outback. That Model 1897 is a replica of the old Winchester shotgun. That thing will "rack fire" similar to the later Winchester Model 1912 (or vice versa). Not the best of replicas (don't even think they carry 'em anymore). Right out of the box had trouble with the 'action slide lock' malfunctioning and locking up. Took it to a pretty good gunsmith with the intent for him to disconnect it altogether. He got it working instead (albeit, a bit stiff). The Winchester Model 1897 was favored during WWI for close combat trench warfare. American troops became so prolific and deadly with that gun that Germany protested their use in combat. Hey, shouldn't have started the f*k'n war. Figured the reason why ol' Pop favored the rack firing, longer barrel Model 1912 for small game hunting after experience with the 1897 during WWII.

(YouTube video)

'The Magnificent Seven' (1960), "Boot Hill" sequence