Thank you Drew for putting together this promotional video for Door County Kayak Tours. Everyone should check out the images and exciting possibilities they can experience when coming on a kayak tour.

-Door County Kayak Tours

http://vimeo.com/27720131

Just giving a special thanks to our friends from Sailbags Maui for the awesome bag they sent us! Be sure to check out their bags made out of used kite surfs at http://www.sailbagsmaui.com …you won’t be disappointed!

hottest day in July so far…just got in from a great morning paddle. now about to hit the water & the waves.

kayaking the caves tomorrow!

Looking forward to our fireworks paddles with glowsticks this weekend.

Looking for a facebook juggling updater/friendly/smiling/witty/sparkly eyed/ communications coordinator/reservationist/ gift of a person who may or may not want to kayak guide to join DCKT for the summer.  Don’t take the job duties too serious…Apply at http://www.doorcountykayaktours.com/job.html

So how about a good story to take your mind off the cold, snow and get you dreaming of far off places.  I hope it doesn’t make anyone too jealous, but instead inspires you to get a little more pro-leisure in your life, a little more adventure, a little more spontaneity.  I know that there are times when the cold, dark, winters put me in a funk, I just need to get out and vanish to some far off destination, usually a third world country where I can stretch my money, where a dollar buys you a beer, where you can rent a place next to the beach for a couple hundred bucks instead of a couple thousand.  Places like the Dominican Republic, Indonesia or Costa Rica. It is mainly because I like exploring those places over a few months, meeting new friends and wiggling my way into the local thread of food(roadside bbqs’s), culture, (costa rican rodeo’s) and discovering new ideas from the kids on the street selling creative tourism friendship that draw me to them.

This winter, I had to ask myself what I wanted to do?  Something inside me told me the Rockies were going to get a lot of snow, and a lot of my friends were heading out there, so it was a tough battle between floating down the Rockies on pillows of powder howling like a wolf into the wind, getting silly dancing to Nick Steingart(Fred and Fuzzy’s Tues summer nights, Moe’s BBQ) during Apres, and relaxing exhausted in a Jacuzzi watching the snow fall until the dawning of the first chair.  But alas, I had other dreams, the wind, waves and wild waterfalls of Maui were calling my name.

Ten years prior, I had arrived at Maui to visit my inspiring artist uncle Jimbo and explore the healing island of Maui.  It is quite a long story unto itself, so i’ll skip to the good stuff; Lived with a Mad scientist Marko Rodin, juiced and baked in a basement until a paycheck blunder blessed me with a challenging kayak guide opportunity, after completing some guiding tests(diving 40 ft to pick up a set of keys from the ocean floor and backing up a three story trailer) I was destined to kayak, swim and take photos with the dolphins and tourists for 3 months straight.  Rough gig, oh yea, and I camped on a nature preserve one mile away that I could walk to work, pick and drink a coconut on the way.  So you can probably see why I was leaning back towards revisiting this beautiful piece of heaven.  I am calling it my 10 year reunion.  So far, it has answered most of the dreams I have had in the past 10 years, namely those fears and dreams which I was too distracted to accomplish.

My dreams, some of them may seem a little silly, so bear with me;

It took me a few weeks to get the kitesurfing addiction out of my blood, rallying around the waves and wind of the Northshore of Maui with a friend from Hood River I had met a few weeks earlier visiting my sister,  this first week took my mind off of the snow in the Rockies.  The second day of kiteboarding, we were hit with a swell that gave me goose bumps.  We launched our kites from a place called secret cove, the wind was intermittent and rocks and coral were waiting for our mistakes.  Patiently waiting for the wind to favor me, I flew out into the trade winds which hit maui most every day.  Once out past the reef, the swells grew and I found myself at the bottom of a 20ft wave, now most of the waves are measured from the middle of the wave, so really it was probably only a 10ft wave, but at the bottom of the trough, it was like looking up at a moving mountain, once I had arrived at the top of it, I started skipping down the face, just a flying smile across my face, a dream gifted by the makai(ocean) a mountain (makah) conquered, but not without a lesson, soon I had outrun my kite and it fell from the sky into the front of this monster of a wave.  Bobbing with my kite in the water, awaiting the monsters teeth, my smile quickly vanished and a strong sense of peace came over me, what was to happen next I was only too lucky to have been prepared for.  I quickly grabbed my board and prepared to be shot through the water once the wave grabbed my kite, I went straight as a arrow, and took a breath(ha), I shot 15 feet through the water unscathed, kite still flopping around, the next wave was too close to do anything but be a needle fish through the water again, and the next one as well.  Supriseingly, I felt quite safe, my kite relauched after the third wave, I still had my board in my hand some how and I strapped it on and charged the resuming monsters for 3 hours.  It was quite confidence boosting, to get rolled and come out unharmed.

Well, I guess that is enough of a story to start out my traveling journal for this winter.   Stay tuned for more of my adventures, I could keep writing, but the day is calling, let me maybe inspire some action to come adventure with me for a week or get excited for the summer.  Oh yea, and gift certificates for Zip Line Gift Certificates http://doorcountykayaktours.com/Gift_Certificates.html and Kayak Tours(discounted) http://doorcountykayaktours.com/Gift_Certificates.html do make healthy gifts for these holidays!  They can be emailed and printed out for quick gifts, they also support these stories.

Adventure stories to be continued…

Living with an intentional community, Playing music, becoming a circus performer, Cleaning out the cheese curds and beer by growing a garden of exotic smelling flowers and break the mouth organic food, and vine climbing into a living mango tree to sleep in the jungle and a Dolphin Retreat Invitation.

Aloha
David Rack
DoorCountyKayakTours.com
GravityTrails.com
920-344-6641

Traveling

On a sad note of my puppys departure via a hwy 42 smashed trailer, smoke and ashes, I left for Maui with my kite gear strapped and an old friend and guide, Rachel house sitting with her boyfriend Jesse, a local cook at the Bayside Tavern.  Rachel, curently works at the Bead Bucket in Ephraim and Greens and Grains in Egg Harbor, she is the creative type with her ideas often elegant, simple from unique pieces of jewelry to magical inventiveness somethings. She has a etsy site where she sells her creative jewelry. Hopefully it helps to have her around for the winter, because my new house could use a womans touch.  Jesse, is the quiet hard working type that is dreaming for more than dipping cheese curds in hot fryer oil. I kinda wish I could stick around to create with them. Hopefully I will get a chance in December.

Maui

Maui welcomed me with a 4-5 foot wave day and strong winds.  I have been staying at the Northshore Hostel in Wailuku.  It is a good spot to start from, but I doubt I will stay here long, too many travelers.  I would like to end up hanging out and doing some yoga with some locals, or old friends, like my Evergreen State College soccer buddy Vanessa Charles, looks like she is hosting a big island yoga detox retreat in Feb.  Doubt I will be here then, but wish I could join that, I could clean out some of the wisconsin cheese curd cholesterol sitting in my arteries with some fresh maui juices.

I have a some great friends in Oahu I would love to visit as well, Matt Joswick, who is my search engine optimization specialist for my outdoor adventure zip line, kayaking and kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding websites.   He also does some work for a local company in Kailua and Oahu, HI called Wind Ward Watersports that specializes in Kayak Rentals, Kiteboarding Lessons, SUP Rentals, and Surfing.  So I hope to get some more time on the water touring the island in a few different vehicles and maybe hang out with a professional kiteboarder, Jeff Tobias.

Colorado

Looking ahead towards the fluffy white, picking up some backcountry gear for some sidecountry riding in east vail.

Oregon

Explore some Zip Line potential in the Alsea Mountains in Oregon at the ThymeGarden.com.  They are secluded, majestic and the local area could use an eco-activity like zip lining.

All in all, it should be a beautiful winter with wind, sun, waves and snow, I just wish more of my friends could join me on the adventures ahead.

One of my favorite ideologies to follow is the “Blessing in Disguise”.   Most of the sticks and stones thrown at me always make me wonder “why?” at that moment. The answer follows in a beautiful hindsight.

Such an example was my departing from The Outpost(now the Harbor Ridge Winery).  After two years of branding my name and energy into an unknown location, they didn’t have room for me anymore, but for another kayak company.  Luckily at the the time I was off surfing in the waves of Costa Rica with some good friends and cooks Jesse Johnson and Robby Paeth from The Waterfront and James Lee Mead from the Shoreline Restaurants so I was well fed and content from all of the beautiful waves and wonderful meals.  The ensuing search for a location was quite a search.

Door County is not the easiest location to find an affordable spot for a business that only runs for three months a year, as well anything near the water is pushing the million dollar mark.  Haha… how we love to share our scenery with the rich and infamous.  But along came a little house with history, it was perfect, an original stone house from down town Fish Creek that had been moved onto Hwy 42 to a little unincorporated town called Juddville.  New roof, new appliances, a large garage, plenty of land and a price I could afford.

Just two lots outside of the commercially zoned Juddville corner was another large undertaking with the Zoning departments.  I don’t get who would just want to purchase a residential house on the hwy???  But it makes sense for me that I can live in it and use it for a business that only runs a few months a year.  The hwy is the best form of advertising and having businesses along the Hwy would facilitate a county bike path off the road, at least in my imagination.

Oh yea, and the best part of this whole story is the pooch!  I never would have gotten a dog, if this blessing in disguise hadn’t come my way.  A week before I bought the house, I saw an ad in the Peninsula Pulse from the Door County Humane Society for a Dog they had.  I looked at the photo and said to myself, “That’s my dog,” went to the Humane society and filled out some paperwork and wrote a short story about how he would be with me everywhere, on the boat, in the zip line woods, around the office greeting people, and at the kitesurfing beach with my friends.  I guess that short story worked when they called me up and said the person who decides who animals go with decided the fastest she has ever decided.

Jacamo “Shaka” Khan is his name and I never thought I would have a dog or get one.  But when I got a horoscope reading that told me I could “county my chickens before they hatch because I was prepared” on easter sunday, I got the dog before I bought the house.  Shaka made a name for himself real fast at parties, since he is black as night and loves to goose people(his little way of shaking hands, I guess) we nicknamed him the “Midnight Shocker”  and I have only seen him poop once, he disappears into the woods usually,  so I also nicknamed him the “Poop Ninja”.  He does all the tricks I know of and is a total fluff head silly beast.  They only had him for 3 months and I don’t know how old he is so I call him “ageless” and “timeless” I hope he always keeps his fun loving puppy ways.

So stop by, say “Hi” to Shaka and give me some landscaping advice, my green thumb is growing and so is Shaka!

Here is a new article from the 2010 season:

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20106190449

We have lots of new stuff going on this year! New locations, new employees, new twitter account- but still the same outlook on experiencing Door County’s natural beauty!  Come join us in sharing a tour of the caves at Cave Point, the Bluffs in Fish Creek, or a scenic tour through an inland estuary.  First-timers are more than welcome- don’t be shy! Our friendly guides will ensure your comfort and enjoyment.  The weather in Door County is beautiful so come make the most of it with us!

When I first lived in the mountains, I needed to get a job quickly, as I was couch surfing and lift tix weren’t cheap, I didn’t have much to my name. So I decided to get a job as a snowboard instructor, the hours were flexible, I would be out in the sun all day and of coarse there were always the good tips from getting someone from never ever to cruising down the mountain.  “”Shit,” I said, “they pay people to do that?” the standard response you as guides will get in the future working out on the water with guests.  There was only one problem, I had never snowboarded in my life and the tryouts were in 3 days.  But, the luck started poring in, after signing up for the training, you got 2 few free lift tickets, I had some raggedy used equipment and so I went to the mountain.  By the way, its always easier to learn something on good equipment, worth the investment with snowboarding at least!  But college life doesn’t always afford you that privilege.  I don’t remember the details of learning, but I spent those three days focusing on learning and picked it up within those moments enough to walk up to training with my head held high.  The following two weeks were spent with the group critiquing our riding and teaching style and the lessons learned honed us as riders and instructors.  Those two weeks were intense and tough, but we all came out in the end instructors.

Lots of transformations this 2010 season!  We are in the process of purchasing and moving to a new location in between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek, just south of Juddville Road on Hwy 42.   We won’t be as visible from the road as before with our artistic Buses or our giant trailer full of yellow kayaks, but we are working on creating some new signage that will draw your eye.  Here is a preliminary sketch of the signage.

As well, we have a new logo we are working on.  Here are some of our past logos and the new one.

The last blue logos were created by Kara Hanson a Graphic Design Student.  Those are some of the options we are looking at for our 2010 season.

Hola!

We have moved down to Costa Rica for the winter months and are living at the Cabinas Pura Vida in Zancudo Costa Rica.  Our good friend Robby, who works at the Waterfront Door County Restaurant during the summer has been kind enough to show us around the Zancudo Costa Rica area where everyone is a friend.  We have been cooking thai green papaya salad, drinking tico sangria(red wine and orange juice), learning to surf and reading a lot in the hammocks.  The black sand beach is long and beautiful and only seldom do we run into people on the beach jogging, or biking when the tide is low.   The waves are great for beginners when the tide is low.  We have been watching rays surf the waves catching fish, and pelicans surf the wind funneling off the top of the waves, as we take a break from paddling.  It took a week, but finally we have started to defrost from the bitter cold.

The beautiful Black Sand Beach, that is always unoccupied!Rachel catching her first wave!

Robby and I hanging under the Cabinas Pura Vida surfboard.

Kayak Tours update.

We will have a Tarpon Springs Florida kayak tours location, where we will also Kayak Clearwater Florida. Come join us as we kayak the manatees and kayak the mangroves around these other Florida areas as well;

Cockroach Bay Kayak Tours

Caladesi Kayak Tours

Sanabel Island Kayak Tours

Clearwater Kayak Tours

Ft. Desoto state park Kayak Tours

Longboat Key Kayak Tours

Siesta Key Kayak Tours

Honeymoon Island Kayak Tours

It should go without saying that we need to respect the history and natural area of Door County.  I guess someone needs to say it, because I have heard rumors of people (and kayakers) defacing pictographs, stealing wood from shipwrecks, and not respecting Door County’s natural environment.

Lets put those rumors to and end and follow the leave-no-trace principles.  If we and future generations are going to be able to appreciate the beauty we see today, lets follow my own rule of thumb.

“Take photographs, and leave paddlestrokes.”

Summertime in Door County may be idyllic, but fall is when our county really shows her stuff. Brilliant yellows and vibrant reds are already beginning to dapple the trees, and orchards are getting ready for what looks to be a massive apple harvest. Anyone who wasn’t able to get away for the summer can still get deals on biking, kayaking, zip lining, sailing, sightseeing, scenic boat cruises and airplane rides – all without the heavy crowds. Pumpkin Patch Festival comes to Egg Harbor October 10 and 11 this year, a fun family weekend that draws people from all over the country. The village comes alive with colorful displays, zesty hot ciders, parades, retail specials, cultural events and more. Local farms put out their best at all of the roadside stands and markets throughout Door County, selling the freshest produce and delicious seasonal treats. You can experience great cuisine with the Kingdom So Delicious festival, one of the tastiest September fall festivals in Door County, or enjoy the magic of Fall Fest in October – whatever you do here this autumn, you’re going to have a ball.

Gravity Trails in northern Door offers you the chance to get up close and personal with Door County fall colors. Our Fall Colors tours take you straight up into the trees for breathtaking views. Bike the scenic trail back to our zip course and fly through the trees. Make it a true fall experience with a kayak tour on the pristine Mink River, where you’ll travel through Wisconsin’s only officially designated wilderness state park, Newport State Park in Ellison Bay. It doesn’t get any more refreshing than having fun with friends and family in the crisp fall air.

Get a shot in the arm this fall with these great Fall Color Activities and more. Give GT a call to make your reservations today – remember, weekends fill up fast!

When our powers combine together we are Captain Planet.  We will share a little context for you : Door County is an outdoor paradise.  Brittney loves birds and Erin loves rocks so we thought we would introduce you to one of our favorite Door County places.  The Ridges Sanctuary is a Nature Lovers Dream come true.  It is literally a slice through all of the Door County ecosystems.  That being said you can experience all that Door County has to offer in one spot.  A little wetland, a little dune, a little northern boreal forest, and a lot of orchids!  All in all it is considered the most biologically diverse area in Wisconsin!!!!  If you have time to explore one spot of prime wilderness in Door County we would recommend the Ridges.

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”  Frank Lloyd Wright

The 4th of July is sneaking up quickly and we couldn’t be more excited here at DCKT. The 4th is a wonderful holiday to celebrate in Door County. There are plenty of happenings to keep you busy! Egg Harbor has fireworks on July 3rd at Harbor View Park. On July 4th the fireworks are at Clark Park in Fish Creek. Washington Island, Gills Rock and Sturgeon Bay also have fireworks on the 4th, so there are plenty of fireworks options to chose from. Better yet take a fireworks kayak tour with us on the 3rd or a beautiful sunset tour on the 4th! Kayaking is a great way to beat the 4th of July heat and see some of the best Door County scenery. As for parades – check out Baileys Harbor at 10 am and Egg Harbor at 1 pm and enjoy the theme of “Celebrate American Family Heritage.” Also don’t forget about the live music offerings all around the peninsula. Enjoy the fireworks, music and parades and have a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend. We hope to see you for some fun kayaking!

Yoga is a perfect complement to kayaking, so this summer considering taking a yoga tour with us. Generally we paddle for a bit on Lake Michigan, stop at a beautiful beach for a great yoga session, and then paddle back. Typically we will try to run these tours on Thursday mornings and you won’t be disappointed! Yoga instruction Kathy Navis from Junction Center Yoga will instruct the group through a series of yoga poses while taking in the serene scenery. The combination of yoga and kayking is something you don’t want to pass up, it truly is a wonderful way to experience Door County’s beautiful landscape.

Door County Hwy 42 construction isn’t that bad.  I guess that Economy Stimulation $ is going somewhere positive.  Here is a picture of the worst traffic jam we have had to date.

Summer is arriving in Door County and we have already had some great paddles around the peninsula. In our spare time we are enjoying lots of hikes in Penninsula State park and are already eating our fair share of ice-cream. Hiking last night we came across two chubby adorable porcupines (luckily we kept the dog from getting too interested in them) and watched their sloth-like climbing skills. Another sign that summer is here, the garden has been planted and we can’t wait for fresh delicious produce. Of course going out kayaking is one of our favorite activities and we are making plans for some fun sunset paddles as we have been watching beautiful sunsets over calm waters!

The Door County Outpost is once again offering a great musical selection this summer. Tasty food and delicious beverages will be available as you enjoy the fantastic sounds of live music! Check the schedule to come hear great singer-songwriters (Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sundays) and feel free to arrive early for Von Stiehl wine tasting. There are also featured dinner specials on event nights. The Outpost (conveniently located in Egg Harbor) is a smoke-free venue that you will enjoying returning to throughout the summer.  Please stop by and you won’t be disappointed!

Look at www.DoorCountyOutpost.com for the complete schedule.

Wow! What the heck is Gravity Trails and how fast can I get there? All I can say, is very soon my friends, very soon!

The other day, I found myself staring up at the sky and wondering just how amazing this summer could be, and rather should be. Then I began to think of my life long love of going as fast as I possibly can. Yes folks, we’re talking about MACH SPEEDS! Whether it’s flying down the side of a mountain with two planks attached to my feet, or sailing through the air on a zip line, speed will always be like a brother to me. And so I thought it would only be fair to share this passion with all of my friends in Door County. After all, how fun is something really if you can’t share it with the people you love!?!

Gravity Trails is all the fuel you’ll need to get flying into Summer proper! I promise you, it will cure what ails ya!

Stay tuned……………….:)

All right here comes a list of what we have been up to this past winter and spring!

• Cross Country Trip to Baja California, we scoped future kayak spots and trips.  Mainly stayed at La Ventana to Kitesurf!  Met up with an old friend from the Dominican Republic, cliff jumped, waterfall hiked, researched zip line tours, had to bribe a mexican cop with $20 and “Dusty” our old 1983 Mercedes made it there and back without a problem.
• Puerto Rico- Had a wedding in Puerto Rico, danced my pants off, scoped some kitesurfing and kayaking locations for future travel, met an experienced zip line creator, got to learn how to set up a zip line with him.
• Costa Rica- Joined an Australian friend that had to renew his visa for a trip down to Costa Rica.  Went surfing mainly, got three of my board shorts stolen, did a double backflip off a rope swing, got my butt kicked surfing, went to a full moon beach bonfire, looked at land to purchase.
• Web Design and marketing for an invention of my uncle’s; ScandUs Inc. Tri-Metal Sawzall Blades, finished my dad’s website on his commercial office / warehouse building in Hartland, Wi and working on our Door County Zip Line Tours site to have it open by June 1st!
• Starting to finalize our zip line design and going in for the final go ahead from the town board tonight! Wish us luck.

We have a bunch of great employees from our ‘08 summer hopefully coming back!  Join our facebook and be a part of our community.  From kayak guiding, to taking reservations, driving the veggie bus or just chatting it up with our guests, working for DCKT is fun, adventurous and rewarding.  Check out our Door County job application page and fill out our fun questionaire that is pure enjoyment.

I sure wish I was back in Door County for New Years Eve.  Whenever I am looking looking for something special to cook, I always take a look at the Door County Restaurant  “The Waterfront” Luckily one of my best friends is the head cheff. Jesse Johnson has inspired in me to start cooking again.  This is what I would get from his 2009 New Years Menu if I were going!

First
Prosciutto Bosc Pear, Arugula, Wisconsin Stravecchio cheese
Shaved Beef Carpaccio Cured Egg Yolk, Shaved Shallots, Caper Vinaigrette

Second
Seared Ahi Tuna Crab and Vegetable Sushi Roll, Wonton Crisp, Soy Reduction

Main
Cote du Boef Ribeye Asparagus, Shitakes & Cognac Cream Froth, Roquefort Blue Potato Fritter

Dessert
Cheese Cake Vintage Port Macerated Door County Cherries

It is already making my mouth water. Maybe I will try to make a beef carpacio for my new years here in Vail, CO.

Make Christmas Cards out of your kayak photo from summer or give Gift Certificates as presents.

At last a chance to sit down and catch up. Baja or Bust Adventure

With the goal of offering a adventure camping trip in Baja, we took off across country. We soon found out we had too many goals cluttering our minds, it looks as if the baja trip will be purely adventure and researching.  We scrapped bringing the E350 for the Mercedes. and only took one kayak, which we hope to leave in baja.

After collecting and filtering enough vegetable oil from Sonny’s and Digger’s Restaurants to get to Nebraska.  We found ourselves with a plugged fuel filter after 1000 miles, it was night, we couldn’t find the headlamp, so Abbie used the ipod to illuminate the greasy fuel filter replacement during a cold october night.

Our first destination was the flatirons in Boulder, CO.  We had friends with climbing gear, a determination to get outside and  explore the beauty of the flatirons.

We had a great time goofing off in the flatirons, our rock climbing friend Justin Budd, set ropes, and we scaled up some beautiful pitches.  After a hard day of climbing.  We decided to do some free style walking, which turned into free style running down the mountain path.  Jumping from boulder to boulder and defying what we would even think of doing if we had looked before we leaped.  Justin, Abbie an I all agreed it was some of the most fun we had had running ever.  I usually tell myself that I don’t run except for a few exceptions; the cops and soccer.  Well now there is a new exception to the rule, freestyle trail running.  Its always an adventure to play with Justin Budd.  Here are some pictures of freestyle running.  As I write this, I am in catch up phase, so we have not busted, we are in baja, in fact, I only have 10 days left before I have to leave for colorado.

Hola… writing today with the splenders of another penninsula on my mind.  Imagine if you may, endless beaches, unexplained rock formations, colorful deserts, gray whales, brilliant clear skies, and a variety of unique people to spice up your life!  Getting excited already?? Because I sure am!  This winter myself (guide), David Rack (owner of DCKT), Abbie Turner (guide/photographer), Taylor Johnson (photographer), Chris Katzban (guide), John Suhar and some other friends are heading to the BAJA penninsula in search of fun in the sun, a winter escape, and of course adventure.  The winter months in BAJA average 70-80 degrees which sounds like just about perfect winter weather to me! That is one thing I will not miss while basking in the Mexican sun, is the freezing cold Wisconsin winters!  Because of the consistently beautiful weather nothing will hold us back from engulfing ourselves in the endless adventure that awaits.  Mile after mile of stunning coast line provides perfectly sandy kayak launch locations and speaking of kayaking… I thought kayaking around Door County was beautiful, but could you imagine kayaking the Sea of Cortez (water way between the BAJA Penninsula and the rest of Mexico) while gray whales swim by you?

Kalen, the guide.

I do a few other things besides paddling.

See you there?

August in Door County means heat, hectic scheduling, plenty of entertainment, and ample time in the water.

In other words, now is the time when a kayak guide is in his or her element.

Although May seems like yesterday in one regard, each of the flock has found a beat – around the office,

on the road, and believe it or not, on the lake.

Many of us have taken out one to two tours a day for over two months, and far from falling asleep, we do our best to keep things interesting.

Examples are in store. One rough day, three of us used the waves to our advantage and treated four adventurous “tour-goers” (it wasn’t the status quo tour) to a bit of kayak surfing in the shallows near Schauer Park….

….Usually the weather is more cooperative, setting the scene for an off-the-scale water fight or a fiery sunset.

Aside from business, you can find our smiling faces enjoying an outdoor concert, sailing, or playing volleyball. I’m sure there’s more that we do, but I can’t keep track.

In fact, I’m at work right now, and I would love to stay and chat but I have things to do.

On a personal note, I’ll miss all of the guides from this summer…. in about three weeks.

Just kidding! I already do, and wish everyone luck on their winter journeys:  Baja, Boston, and beyond.

And to you, reading this in Chicago, Tokyo, or just the office upstairs:

isn’t it time to get outside?