I hope the fact that i've been a day behing on my blogging reflects the fact that I've been kept quite busy with the activities of a very real Christmas with a wonderful family.
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Elmore and Martha have taken me in and treated me like one of their own over the last two days.  Today I got a walking tour of their neighborhood as Martha and I exercised their giant Grate Dane named Merlin. 
Then it was on to her parents house for breakfast with her family as well as Elmore's mother.  It was great company, fantastic conversation, and an amazing spread of food which included my first taste of grits which I really like.
From there we walked (everything is nice a close around here) back to Elmore and Martha's to prepare for Christmas Day dinner for a bunch of their friends.  I took advantage of a quiet moment to call a bunch of my family to wish them a Merry Christmas.  In all of that calling I learned that my good friend Paul had just asked his girlfriend to marry him which was great news, congratulations Paul and Stephanie.  I wasn't much help in the kitchen but I did draw from my camp food larder some fudge and Christmas candy my mother had sent.  The 150 river miles it had seen stoed in my boat didn't matter and it added nicely to the spread.   
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Well traveled fudge
I may have mentioned that Elmore and Martha are both artists.  She does paintings and prints in a studio in the house and he carpentry in their back yard shop. 
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Martha's paintings shown in their front room gallery
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One of Elmore's beautiful (and comfortable) chairs
Always up to checking out a workshop I requested a tour of Elmore's work space.  It turned out to be a carpenter/kayaker's dream place with a perfect mix of tools on the floor and kayaks in the rafters.
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Elmore in his shop
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'wildwater' racing canoe hung above the band saw
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As we talked I learned of Elmore's involvement in paddlesports starting young he's done it all from competition slalom in white water to surfskis on the Mississippi.  While touring his shop I discovered this link to my home town where Elmore spent many a day weaving around gates.
It was a fantastic day that finished with a full belly in front of a warm fire talking to a great group of new friends.  I'll never be able to thank Elmore and Martha enough for taking me in over this special holiday.   
 


Comments

Mike in Indiana

12/26/2009 5:52:25 am

Merry day-after-Christmas, Jake! A member of my local Fort Wayne, IN paddle group posted your blog info to our group site. I've been reading your exploits and adventures this morning and have now became another fan of yours.

It looks like you've had a great and sometimes arduous trip. Lucky, you! Ahh, I do envy your adventure! I'm 51 and have mulled a Mississippi run for the last few years (kayak or raft). You inspire me.

I'll stay tuned and you keep up the paddling and blogging! I'm pulling for you, paddling brother :)

Mike

 

Ann Daley

12/26/2009 8:29:27 am

That fudge looks very familiar! Is that my mom's recipe? (and your mom is probably saying "No, it's MY mom's recipe!")

 

Portage dug

12/26/2009 9:47:20 am

Jake, I have been meaning to ask you if you are a member of WACKO? With the tie to Wausau and Elmore I had to ask. WACKO may describe your voyage but it stands for Wausau Area Canoe and Kayak Organization. I officially became WACKO in the late '90's while whitewater paddling the Wolf River, met fellow paddlers on the Red and joined them shortly there after.

Maybe sometime it would be good to explain the the whitewater training course set up on the Wisconsin River, in Wausau. I sure had some fun and challenges paddling the course.

paddle on

 

Tootie

12/26/2009 10:54:20 am

Hi Jake
So glad you had a nice Christmas with your new friends. Suppose you are back on the water now. Take care and keep safe and I will anxiously be awaiting your next update.

 



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