I should probably wait till I paddle a solo before commenting here, but with the weather outside and all, and heaven knows I can't keep my mouth shut that long, so...I found the article informative, given that I know so little about this thing I love. That is another part of the message, the love of exploring this craft and what the paddler can do in it, with it, and where it can take you. I must agree Rob, that there was an uber ego trip going on, but that's an inner battle I've been fighting over the years; the elitist thing sets my teeth on edge, but I can relate to it. I used to paddle boats that should have had claw feet, and despised the smooth and silky trippers gliding past us. One summer, as I struggled with my two sons in our aluminum tub, bedraggled and miserable, we saw a fashionable tandem pair skimming by. They were dry, warm and fast. We were not. I was not thinking charitable thoughts. Despite our middle age and stature, and with fair experience and skills, and not bad gear, we canoe travel very easily and comfortably now. Last trip with my wife, as I helped her on with the big pack, and I geared up myself for the final carry home, I glanced over to see a fellow standing amidst his gear. Our eyes met, and I was surprised to recognize that look; he was not thinking charitable thoughts. I suddenly thought "Oh God! Have I joined the fashionably elitist jet set?" I still rebel against the whole ego driven elitist attitude, but force myself to realize that like so many things, it's all in my head. Like I used to say to our kids "The tools in your hands are only half as important as the one on your shoulders. Attitude is always under rated, but oh so important." I still meet ego trippers occasionally, and just before thinking uncharitable thoughts, I ask myself "Which perspectives can I see this from, and what can I learn here?" Then, some uncharitable thoughts might come to mind.
Thanks for the great read YC, and thanks for thoughtful perspective OM.