our first kayaking trip

Shortly after getting into the idea of kayaking we went on our first trip.

Off to MEC to rent a couple kayaks for the long weekend. We had planned for a quiet easy weekend of biking and kayaking on a lake.

We found a series of 4 lakes that an article from 1996 had shown we all connected by canoe. Well alot had changed since then and it was solid dry land between the lakes. We had settled for just paddling in one lake at a time. When we got to the first lake the waterline was so low that the boat launch was 40 feet from the water! The water was also so slimy near shore that we didn't want to put in. Off to Ross lake where our campground was ( a mere 3.5 hour drive from home as we were trying to avoid crowds)
Ross lake the water looked much better, however there was a swimmers itch warning. We put in any how and went halfway around the lake to a nice little beach where we cooked up a small lunch and enjoyed ourselves.
I had gone out the the lake with all intents to attempt a roll but with the swimmers itch warning I had decided against it.

From kayaking in my eyes

We had rented a seaward chinook tx and a easky 17
the easky fit both my and my wife better but the severe oil can in the hull made it difficult to paddle without breaking a sweat in comparison to the chinook.

It was after this short first trip of ours that I knew we would be stuck kayaking for life.

an essential item

One of the first items I bought for kayaking. In my humble opinion a stove is a essential part of a kayak kit.
My other pastime is eating lol.  The idea of kayaking to an island or remote beach and having an impromptu picnic seems great even if its only a romantic idea for now.
I bought the MSR Dragon Fly stove


I wanted a liquid fuel stove rather than a lpg or compressed gas stove. Many people with argue either style till they are blue in the face. I will probably get both eventually.
The Dragon fly allows great simmering ability which allows you to succesfully cook gourmet or more "homey" meals. It burns a wide variety of fuels and seems that will lend itself well for our overseas travels in the future. It is compact, especially coming from a two burner coleman stove. It is loud but not over empowering. Boil time is 3.5-4 mins. The base felt sturdy and it had no problem holding our pots and pans thus far.

how it recently started for me

The idea of kayaking was spawned in my head many many years ago. . . but that is a story for another time.

Most recently I revisited the idea of becoming a sea kayak manic for lack of better terms.
Now the reason I say manic is i have this way of once being interested forming a idea into an obsession before I even let it fruit as a hobby.

My wife and I were walking through a sporting store when we saw this tandem kayak with one large opening and a very attractive price.  Then seemingly instantaneously we looked at each other with a twinkle in our eyes, it was then we knew our . . . or rather my obsession.  We immediately began researching kayaks and trying to answer the hardest question.  What kayak is best for each of us?

Yes it has started we moved 1400km away from the Ocean where we lived for many years and new slipped into a kayak, yet two years after being in Alberta we get the urge to pursue Sea kayaking.

The first kayak that we looked at was a Perception Acadia II 14.0 kayak
http://www.perceptionkayaks.com/product/index/products/recreational/acadia/acadia_II_14/

I knew first off that I wanted to be able to roll a kayak and not just upside down I wanted to be able to roll but up. . . a rock solid roll was a must so the first thing I did was check to see if a spray skirt was available for the kayak..  There indeed is, but in those searches I had read of the horror stories of divorce boats and the thought of a single was too much.  The acadia II was quickly crossed of my list even if it was the only boat currently on my list.  Not saying that is may not be a decent craft and I may end up getting one in the future. I figure it would be great for those days that we want to go out on the water together and have a lazy day, possibly catch a fish and head to shore to fry it.

We visited every store we could manage to find in Edmonton.  All the while we slowly amassed these grandeur ideas of week long camping trips in our kayaks.  We soon realized we love camping but none of our stuff save for the tent is small enough to bring along in a kayak.

while slowly over the course of two or three days we had bought several items for our new found love and had spent a rather large sum of money.  The only kayak specific item we had so far was our pfd's.
So much for a cheap addiction.