OKC Kayak Word Soup

Dear Wetland…. Thanks a bunch for everything
by Dave Lindo, OKC Kayak LLC

The end of April is synonymous with all sorts of going green events in celebration of Earth Day.  The question I have for you is “Have you thanked a wetland lately?”  Yes, I said, “thanked a wetland!”  We owe these treasures a big thank you for many a thing, not the least of which is recreation.  What else you query?  Well how about a significant percentage of the world’s food supply?  How many of us like rice or have ever eaten a real marshmallow?
Whether it is habitat for animals, recreation, flood control, or clean water, wetlands have a vital role in our communities.  Now you can show your thanks by offering one of our local gems of a wetland a helping hand while doing some free kayaking at the same time.  Join us on Saturday, April 24th for the Fifth Annual Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge and Lake Overholser Cleanup in northwest Oklahoma City (near NW 39th and Council—visit the www.okckayak.com home page for launch map links, Google Earth maps and detailed directions).  The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  We will be meeting at the pavillion near the Lake Overholser Dam tennis courts to check in volunteers and hand out trash bags.
Please RSVP no later than April 20 by calling Rodney Boegel 405.802.3678 for more information and to reserve your free kayak, lifejacket, and paddle generously provided by OKC Kayak, Oklahoma’s only kayak shop.  OKC Kayak will even give you a mini safety and how-to briefing prior to putting you in a boat.

Participants will want to bring gloves, sturdy footwear that can get wet, eyeglass retainer straps, sunscreen, and a water bottle.  Lunch and drinks will be provided.  Rumor has it that there will even be great door prizes to be raffled off during lunch.
The best part of the day is the fact that you will get to meet great folks via the kayak while pulling some unusual stuff out of the refuge.  Last year I had my hands all over this mysterious reservoir, which I had the hardest time figuring out its purpose until two other kayaks showed up with the remaining parts of a portable toilet. If only you will be so lucky this year.  Come join us!!!!

Scott Wendling and I headed down I-35 yesterday to do some kayaking on the Washita River.  It was at a nice level, the weather was nice, and Casey agreed to hold down the fort at the kayak shop.  In other words, the planets aligned.  The highlight of this trip is a mile and a half long section of rapids called Big Canyon.  This was very pretty, and as luck would have it, the train that runs parallel to the river passed through right as we were running the bigger stuff.  I had the video camera rolling.

The only way you can see these pics and video is to show up at tonights, “Where the heck do you kayak in Oklahoma?” slide show that I am presenting at the Backwoods in Norman.  This will start at 7 p.m.

See you there!

We had our first social paddle of the week last Sunday.  It was a bit chilly, but darn good to be back on the water.

Come by the shop during our warehouse clearance sale, and you will save big bucks on any remaining 2009 or prior model kayaks.  Also, all long sleeve Life is Good shirts, ski racks, and anything else that smells of winter is on sale.

Now for a couple off topic favorite businesses, I think you should support.

Big Truck Tacos on NW 23rd Street.  My wife says I need to go to BTTA meetings.  Big Truck Tacos Anonymous.  She asks what I had for breakfast, and I reply “Big Truck Tacos (Huevo Rancheros or build your own tacos with Steak, Chicken, Spinach, and Avocado $2.75).  “What did you have for lunch?”, same reply.  “What do you want for dinner?”  Yep, you guessed it, Big Truck Tacos again.  They also have a taco called the fifth amendment.  Yeah, don’t ask.  It changes daily and you won’t get them to tell you what is in it.  Go in the next day or look on their website to find out after the fact.  It is always good though.

Next on the list, Abel’s Mexican Restaurant at 50th and MacArthur.  So good, they catered our wedding.  Unbelievable fajitas, authentic Mexican tacos, and more.  Abel himself is almost always there to greet you.  You won’t be disappointed and the price is right.

OrganicsOKC– This place is the new organic gardening shop in town.  They are located at 3620 N. Penn.  They have all sorts of stuff for growing your own food.  If you are looking to grow something else, you are looking in the wrong place.  They assured me that they are only there for legal purposes.  They are really knowledgeable about Oklahoma gardening.  Visit their open house this Saturday for some freebies.

Tiki Auto Glass-  Customer service is number one, and they do a superb job.  I can vouch for this, as they repaired my pickup shell that I broke with a rogue whitewater kayak.  They are kayakers, so you know they are going to be nice.  They also do mobile glass repair at a fair price.  On a good day, you might find the owners volunteering down at the kayak shop!!!!

Why am I plugging these folks, you might ask?  No they did not pay me.  They are good, hard working, local business people who add great value to my life and their communities where they live.  When you shop local small businesses most of this money stays local.  When you shop local but at an out of state chain less than half stays in the local community. When you shop the internet, none stays in your town.  Now, more than ever, shopping local counts.  Find and support a local business or three and see for yourself if product knowledge, service, and the other perks don’t make this more than worth it.  Who knows, your favorite dining spot or place to get your windshield fixed might be around a while!  Stop in at these places and others, say hey, spend a buck or two, and become a part of the family of friends that local shops tend to attract.

Happy Spring and have a good weekend despite the bizzard!

Dave

Rain or shine, we will be having our no commission Outdoor Gear Swap this Saturday, March 6th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at OKC Kayak.  Believe me, there will be some great bargains, even if you have not a thing to sell yourself.  This will be in the parking lot (or indoors at the shop if it rains) of OKC Kayak at 220 N. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City.  Bring outdoor related items such as tents, bicycles, scuba gear, kayaks, paddles, etc., that you wish to sell the day before the event.  No, your ceramic goose from the lawn does not count as outdoor related.

See you at the swap!

The OKC Kayak Crew