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Tips from the River Rats:
And More Tips...
From back issues of the WrapAround. Click on the photos to see larger images.
And More Tips...
Driving to Canada?
If anyone plans on driving in Canada, here's a bit of information
I'm sure none of us have ever thought about. Here's the law: Americans who
drive into Canada are supposed to possess a wallet-sized card entitled,
"Canada Non-Resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance
Card." It includes your name, your insurance agent's name, a
description of your vehicle and the effective date and expiration date of
your auto insurance policy. The Canadian government requires the card as
proof that a non-resident driver complies with the country's mandatory
auto insurance law. Insurance agents provide the card for free. Americans
who don't carry the card and get into an auto accident in Canada risk
having their cars impounded until they can reach their agents in the
United States.
For more information, see the Insurance Bureau of Canada web site at http://www.ibc.ca/English/auto/visitor.htm
- Jim Lewis 10/9/2000
Additional note: If you're one parent travelling with a minor
child, check with the Canadian Consulate (617-262-3760) for current
regulations and required documents BEFORE you go. You could be turned
away at the border if you cannot prove that both parents have authorized
your entry into Canada. (This is because of legal issues in custody
disputes.) - P. Sego
Throw Bag Ready To Go
A throw bag should be ready to use in an instant. That means that the
loop on the end of the rope should be available outside the bag while not
causing the rope to be pulled out of the bag while it sits in your boat. A
way to avoid the rope from being accidentally pulled from the bag is to
tie an extra knot below the loop knot and cinch that knot inside the bag
with the drawstring on the bag. Tom Todd 4/99
Sandy Feet, No More
Stan Solomon showed me a quick way to avoid getting road sand all over
you while you are changing before and especially after paddling. Bring
along a carpet remnant or sample in your car. You can use it to stand on
while taking off your wet suit and changing into your shoes. Tom Todd
3/99
Another solution to Sandy Feet No More that I have used for several
years is to use a floor mat from the car to stand on. If one has them they
are always there so don't have to be on the check list. Robert Guba
4/99
Roof Racks
When tying a boat to roof racks people often tie them securely to the
racks and nothing else. Ask yourself how secure are these racks attached
to the car. Driving at 65 MPH will put a lot of stress on the boat and you
don't want to find your boat flying into the ditch with a pair of cheap
roof racks securely tied to it. There should be a line to your front
bumper to hold the boat down. A line should also be tied to the rear
bumper so that the boat cannot slide forward in the event of a sudden stop
(like in Harry and the Henderson's). Rod Dore, 3/98
You know you're a paddler
when...
Submitted by Rod Dore
I know these fit a whole bunch of you
- You watch the weather and think "heavy rain" is a
"good" weather forecast.
- You can't drive over a river without looking up stream longing to be
out there.
- Whenever you give directions you include phrases like "cross
over the X river" but you can't remember the road names,
"there is a pond on your left
" or "the road follows
the river" etc.
- You avoid buying a car that just doesn't look right with a boat on
top (a sports car, luxury car), or one that can't hold a
car-top-carrier (convertible, tee top).
- When your basement smells like a combination of old polypro and
stale river water.
- You are familiar with every navigable river, stream, creek, pond,
and lake within 20 miles of home, and know of the best within 100
miles.
- Your significant other is someone you met on the river.
- Your buddies ogle the gal (guy) in the next car, and you ogle her
(his) boat.
- You choose a home based on its proximity to a river.
- When your boat is the current love of your life.
- When the folks at the local outfitters shop know you by name.
(a.k.a. the "Cheers" effect).
- Your Sunday drives in the country with your family or significant
other often includes detours to drive by a river or to an outfitter's
shop.
- There is no room in your garage for your car because your boat(s)
take up too much room.
- New paddling equipment takes priority over stocking the pantry.
- You actually don't mind the smell of old polypro.
- You have a canoe/kayak rider on your homeowner's insurance.
- You tell your significant other with a straight face that the
garbage is too heavy, and then hoist a 50lb boat as if it weighed
nothing.
- If you spend more time maintaining your boat(s) than you do for your
car.
- You appear at a dentist's appointment in your wetsuit because there
was simply no time to change.
- There are more AMC, AWA, THULE, DAGGER, MAD RIVER, PERCEPTION, etc.
stickers on your car than visible paint.
- If it's not water & wind proof, it "ain't worth wearin".
- Your boat cost more than your car.
- After hauling you from the water, the first thing you ask the rescue
crew is "how's my boat?"
- You call work to tell them your sick and then go paddling.
Dry Booties
For getting those booties drier for the following day on the river or at
home, etc. Stuff them with newspapers. It's an old trick my grandmother did but
apparently has been lost in cyberspace! - Faith Knapp
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