With spring here, Jeff has opened his shop again and has begun finishing the wooden sea kayak he is building. He is more than halfway done with gluing on the wooden strips. I snapped this photo when I went out to see how he was doing. I loved how the open door had light pouring in and was happy when I saw how this photo turned out.Jeff has the promise of many great times of gliding through the Lake Huron and Lake Superior waters while he watches for wildlife. He prefers the quiet pureness of nature to the inhalation of gas fumes and loud motor sounds of a boat. So do I!!!
Jeff figures the kayak will cost him only two hundred dollars completed. Waaay cheaper than buying one. This is his first kayak woodworking adventure to figure out the bugs of building. After it's completed, he's going to build a tandem so I can go along for the ride and snap photos. Wish I could help paddle but carpal tunnel has snuffed that dream. How amazing Jeff thought of a way I can enjoy kayaking too! What a special husband he is. :D
Hugs, JJ...click on the photo for a better view. :D
27 comments:
Jeff:
Neat boat. I've never built anything like that in my entire life. I just don't have the knack. But I see clearly that you are a gifted craftsman. And what a great looking workshop. It looks like it came right out of a magazine. The picture is perfect too, but when you click to get a larger view the workshop really stands out. The bright colors, and the sharp contrast provided by the sunlight, makes for an excellent shot. Good job JJ. Good luck to you both on your floating nature adventure. Oh, by the way, I'd rather be out in nature also - hate the smog-ridden city.
Happy photo-kayaking
Swubird,
Thank you from both of us. I'm glad you enlarged the image so you could see the log workshop colors better.
Jeff said building a kayak isn't as hard as it looks. It's basically bending strips around a form and holding them in place until the glue dries, then you apply fiberglass epoxy.
Hugs, JJ and Jeff
In the spirit of keeping your "novel published" dream alive, hope you'll comment on:
http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/
Adversity.
Writer to writer.
fun checking in with what you've been up to lately.
happy day.
martha
I'll head right over, Martha. :D
Hugs, JJ
http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/03/31/stories/2008033150230300.htm
This was the link in that post. I hope it works this time!
What an adventure! To build one's own boat...a gift of being able to live a life of Yoga as such a work requires one's total focus of mind all in one boat!
(Well, I think the pasting of the link in the comment's section doesn't work as the original ends with 200803.htm, while somehow it is very truncated when I past it here.)
That looks like skilled, careful work but your explanation of the building process demystifies it sufficiently.
Another great photo with the shades of light and dark.
Swahilya, they have a place called Tiny Url that may make the link work. Why don't you try it to see if that helps?
Suzanne, thank you. :D Jeff does have a magic touch when it comes to wood. I'm sure that helps but I think the key is patience. No instant gratification on this project. Jeff loves the process of building something with his own hands. Woodworking is a great hobby for him. :D He's still dreaming about that sailboat.
Hugs, JJ
JJ this is such a nice post. Wow, $200 for this kayak, I doubt, multiply Jeff's hours x pricless labour = 1 million dollar kayak or more. Happy nature adventures! Thanks for sharing. Anna :)
What an ambitious project! Definitely cheaper and probably built a whole lot better, too.
Anna, Jeff says, "Wait until you see the inlays." One of them will be a yoga symbol. :D
Thank you for enjoying the post. :D
Sandpiper, ah, thanks. Jeff does find contentment working with wood. I know he'll have a super kayak for this summer. :D
Hugs, JJ
Wow!!! What a gift. I am just in awe right now.
And the photos on this blog are fantastic. My guy is a photographer . . . semi-professional (gigs here and there) . . . just impressive.
E
Very cool--I've never been out on a kayak! I want a virtual boating trip!! :)
JJ- Wow, that is amazing. I wish I could make something like that. I'd love to see a picture of the finished product.
TOm
Erica, SQUEE!!! that you visited my blog!!! Jeff does have an affinity for wood. He constructed the log building that now is his shop by himself. I was in awe of him while watching the process. It was one of his journeys in life and important he do it alone.
I'm glad you're enjoying the photos. Living in the woods has given me a great love for nature and I connect with it in a spiritual way. Jeff does too. Swahilya said she could almost see the Yin and the Yang when comparing our photos. :D
***
Erica Orloff is an amazing author and I met her while participating in a Writing Round Robin at E-Harlequin. We had a great time and the contest was over all too soon. Check her link out.
***
Jen, if we ever can afford a faster internet connection, I promise you that virtual kayak ride. :D Jeff asks, on top of the truck or in the water. :D
Tom, I will keep the blog updated on Jeff's kayak progress. Soon the weather will warm and he'll have an easier time of it.
Thank you, dear readers!!!
Hugs, JJ
I LOVE kayaking! How wonderful that your husband can built such a splendid boat. Looking forward to those across-the-water photos, JJ!
Footsteps, WOOT! I can't wait for the experience. :D
Good morning!!!
Hugs, JJ
I'm with y'all on the peace & quiet thing--down with motors! Cool on the kayak!
It just amazes me of what Jeff can build! I'm sure you will both enjoy your time out in the water when the time comes. Beautiful photo!
take care
carrie :o)
Lana, AMEN!!! You've got that right. I'll take peace and quiet anytime.
Thank you, Carrie. Jeff amazes me too. :D
Hugs, JJ
JJ and Jeff, great pair you two, it's nice when a couple has so much in common, amazing about the 200.00 price tag.
Bob, thank you. :D Jeff and I do know how to have fun.
I just heard about the 10 planet discovery on the news!!! Heading to your blog.
Hugs, JJ
Nancy and Jeff,
Can't wait to see you launch your new kayak this summer!
How great that Jeff is already working in his new log cabin workshop. He's so talented!
I love the idea that he's going to build a tandem for you to float along side with him!
Hugs,
Your MissChievous Anne
Anne, thank you!!! I'm thrilled that you had time to post. :D
Big Hugs, JJ
This is so cool. I bet it will be a lot of work. There is no way I would be able to do anything like this. Thanks for sharing.
My father and I built a kayak with a wooden frame and canvas stretched on it...I took it out in lakes, rivers even the ocean was great and lighter I would imagine than all wood.
April, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :D It is cool. I wish I could do woodworking too but am with you.
Tom, WOW. I have to mention the canvas kayak to Jeff. That must have been awesome and much more lighter! These are thin wooden strips so as light as can be.
Hugs, JJ
Post a Comment