Boating Announcements

Although I am sorry to report that our Lodore dory trip is full this year--better luck next year!--I am delighted to relay that Flaming Gorge Dam is full to bursting and we will be running on maximum release--8,600. They say there is so much snow waiting to melt that they will be sending the equivalent of the entire contents of Flaming Gorge Reservoir through Lodore this summer. Woohoo!!!

I can hardly wait.

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The good news for prospective boatbuilders is that there is still room in the McKenzie Dory course I am teaching at WoodenBoat School in Maine the first week of July. My main shop helper Janek will be assisting. Here's the write-up. See you there!

Let's go to Maine

Building the Mckenzie Dory

The blue boat is one we built in last year's course. Jonathan, who took it home and is rowing it in this picture, pointed out to me that he is wearing a purple dress in the photo.

Drifter

For those of you that have not heard, our longtime river friend Drifter Smith ran his last rapid last week. We hope all that knew him can join for a celebration of his life June 11 here in Flagstaff. 

Regrouping

Well, spring came and we finally finished up Dae Edwards's new studio with a grand party. The porch roof is on and we be done. What a wonderful adventure this has been for the community.

Geoff got a nice shot here.

And on into the night with squeezebox and songs sung in Gaelic.

Back in the shop we got out the big order of oars with hours to spare. Preliminary reports on their performance are quite good. Whew.

We celebrated spring here with the daffodils. I think all one thousand we planted came up. They sure make me happy.

And off down the river for the first trip of the year. I somehow managed to forget to take more than a couple shots. Sunset in my office

And one of a zillion Palmer's pen stamens on the Diamond Creek road.

Kate made it back to Flagstaff to finish up the parts for her McKenzie boat. But now she's off boating for the summer so we may not pull it together until fall.

A dorky little project--all the paddleboat paddles in the size I like have broken handles. So I made a new one of ash, walnut, and padauk.

While I was on the river Janek finished up the new bank of drawers. WE spent the last few days moving things around, sorting debris, making drawer dividers, and so forth. I think life in the shop will now be even better. Certainly more efficient.

I've got another day of tidying up loose ends, then it's off downriver again with my new paddle. Woohoo!