We take you now to the action already in progress…live on disk:

Cindy Kelly

You’re a rare find. Up before dawn gelding the stallions before you had to go to kindergarten?

Nah, they let me wait till second grade.  Actually, it was more Chemistry sets and quadratic equations.  I was even on the Science quiz team.  Over the years I’ve built up a confidence - I’m just not afraid to try. I can usually do whatever I set my mind to and if I don’t, it’s a learning experience. Well except singing or dancing -those have both been dismal failures.

Ah yes, the triumph of logic paths and process over extrapolating rhythms and getting funky with it. I don’t believe you. Do you mean to tell us that you did not participate in the PAGA 2006 square dancing partner twirling? I could’a sworn…

Given your Swiss army knife-like skills and interests, why paddling?

It just feels good.  I work in a cube farm.  Paddling gets me out in the real world.  You can paddle the same river, but it’s always different, I never get bored.  Plus I can’t deny there is that adrenaline factor.

Yes, substituting one form of stress with another keeps that soothing momentum going. You are a trooper and it is appreciated.

Day trips or paddle/camp trips?

Paddle/camp trips. Gives me more time to decompress.

Early or late?

Definitely early. While I probably won’t be meeting the guys at 6:00 a.m. at the Huddle House, I love to see the mist rising over the river in the morning.

You can have my ice-cream next time. We’re headed towards Fall and will be able to enjoy more misty mornings soon.

Best/worst gear investment?

Worst – My three boat kayak storage hanger - It collapsed after about 6 months and all three boats came crashing down.  I was not pleased. (Good thing that REI has a great return policy)

Best- I love the Seven2 paddle I bought used.  It’s light and I love the ergonomic grips (sadly, they don’t appear to make them anymore)

Yes, Seven2 is no more. After 10 years… I have their 210 Vapor.  Saves my web-worker wrists.

What’s on your paddle trip wish-list?

Alaska maybe. Prince William Sound or Glacier Bay.  Closer to home-would like to paddle in the Everglades.

Let’s do it. There are enough people who have been to gather the beta necessary to optimize such a trip.

What advice can you give to someone just starting out?

Find out what you want to paddle before you buy.  (Nothing worse than the wrong boat for the conditions.) Try boats out, many of the outfitters let you do this. Just because you find a kayak cheap on Craig’s list, doesn’t make it a good deal.  Actually considering all the accessories (roof racks, paddles, PFD, etc) the price of the kayak is minimal.

So true. Many of the big box stores carry gear for shooting the ‘hooch, which is understandable. I suggest deciding on what type of paddling you aspire to in the medium term and then jump right into it with a group of paddlers that want you to succeed. Don’t waste resources on baby steps.

Can you recommend an exceptional river section for a beginner kayak camper?

The Etowah-X Fall 2009 trip coming up is a good one for someone starting out.  The days are relatively short and the river is beautiful.

Camping guilty pleasure?

A wee bit of rum. It makes sleeping on an inflatable mat the approximate thickness of a two ply paper towel just a tad easier. Also, ear plugs when you hang out with some of the guys I paddle with.

Haha! *cough* Ear plugs you say, really? I hadn’t heard (and definitely did not solicit the revival of this thread)! I thought it was badger caught in a barb wire snare.

You’re (alledgedly, proof pending) an accomplished cook who has travelled for classes etc. What’s on the deluxe paddle/camp dinner menu?

Well it won’t be soufflé or mousse.  How about some nice grilled salmon with asparagus and homemade brownies for dessert.  Definitely packable.

GSI has an anodized aluminum Dutch Oven that is a third of the cast iron equivalent.  REI has them too although at the time of this linkage, the price was about $20 cheaper in the store! I took a good look at these. I could easily paddle with two of these things in my kayak for a few days.

Well, thanks Cindy for playing along. Always good times, thank you!

Cindy Kelly everybody! [APPLAUSE]

The Doctor is in.

I really enjoy the aroma of your tobacco smoke during the paddles. The cigarillos reminds me, amongst other things, of spaghetti westerns featuring Lee Van Cleef. None of that John Wayne aqua-net and spotted ‘kerchief nonsense. What’s your favorite tobacco product?

I prefer Backwoods Sweet Aromatic™. I’ve gone through a lot of expensive and cheap cigars to find something I like. Evidently I have cheap taste in cigars…

Let’s see… America’s number one selling all-natural cigar. Natural tobacco in a Connecticut Broadleaf which has been aged for at least 12 months. So you’re in good company -plus they say it’s all natural. Works for me.

People who see you driving a clip board at every takeout may assume that you’ve been there, done that. How long have you been paddling?

I bought my first kayak, a Wilderness Systems 12’ Pungo in March of 2005. It’s a great, stable boat to learn how to read water and begin paddling in. I owe a lot to Richard for getting me out on many different rivers and paddling situations.

I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.  I was distracted by some of the promotional materials on the Backwoods Sweet Aromatic™ parent company website. Smoking! Sadly, GA is not on their promo’ tour stop this year. You were saying Richard owes you for getting you into many situations? The smoke’s people are encouraging people to try out their “pipe-cleaners”. It’s like that is it? I’ll try anything twice.

Cleanups or clearings?

This is a tough question but I have to say clearings. There is evidently not a lot of paddlers that like to chainsaw trees while standing in a river, except for Richard and I and we have had plenty of good help. Clearings open up river routes and clears up potentially dangerous strainers. Hopefully, this will allow more paddlers to enjoy the river and pick up some trash every time they paddle.

I agree.  Clearings. The more people that are able to access the trash, the more likely it is that a cleanup will be organized. Having nearly drowned after getting trapped under a strainer (PAGA 2006), I say rather safe than sorry.  Besides, yet another great reason to mail order those leather chaps…

Early or late?

I prefer to paddle early in the day. There is a better chance of seeing wildlife early in the day before the more boisterous groups get on the river. It’s cooler and enjoyable to be ahead of both road and river traffic. You have to be at the Huddle House at 6:00 am to paddle with the dedicated.

Yes, the earlier, the better. Pre-dawn is my preference. Grits ‘n eggs over easy floating in Tobasco™. That’s worth gettting up early for -oh and the company of course. Let me eat first.  We can chat at the takeout; or better yet, at the post-paddle feast.

We’ve all seen you pack-muling the group’s water and gear in your canoe. On a group paddle, which of your boats would you prefer to paddle?

As long as it is not a windy day, I would say the canoe. It is a Wenonah 15’ Prospector, very stable and easy to turn. Hopefully people will learn, by experience and observing veteran river campers, what to bring and how to be self sufficient. Too much gear in the bow of the canoe is like having a 150lb friend that watches you do all the work! The Tsunami 125 with it’s two dry hatches is sweet though.

Yeah, there’s a fine line between tough love and neglect. I guess that’s where chauvinism -I mean chivalry kicks in. I say that because it appears that you carry a lot of  gear that clashes with the buzzsaw chaps and cigarillo…  You’re a good man Stephens.

Best/worst gear investment?

Without question the best would be my Kokotat™ hooded Gore-Tex™ paddle top. While it is not a dry top with the neck gasket, it is almost like paddling in a tent. It is the main reason I can paddle year round through snow and rain. The 9’ kayak paddle I use in the canoe is a close second.
The worst investment, albeit a cheap one, would be the ankle high, zip up neoprene booties that everyone else seems to love. They were just uncomfortable to me. And yes I had the right size.

What’s on your trip wish-list?

I would love to go on a guided raft trip through the Grand Canyon for a couple of weeks. I am fascinated by some of the video I have seen and it would be the safest way for me to float some REALLY big waves. Throw in three prepared meals a day and I’m there. No Richard Grove breakfast of champions Beanie-Weenies™ for me!

What advice can you give to someone just starting out?

Start and maintain a relationship with your local outfitter/paddling store. These people are obviously in business to make money but their hearts and souls are in helping you and having you as a return customer. Some have rental boats for you to try and will apply some of your fees towards a purchase. Don’t let a few dollars savings lead you to a big box store. It is great to walk into my local store and I feel like Norm on ‘Cheers’ -everyone knows my name. I have bought three boats from the same people. We are friends.

Start out by buying a PFD that is comfortable. Then buy a paddle. These are things you will always need. Do not rush out and buy a boat. Try a few rentals and ask paddlers you see on the river questions about their choice of boats and what the recommend for a someone new. Most are friendly and will talk your ears off and offer to let you paddle their boat. Knowledge is power. Stay out of the discount stores! You get what you pay for.

Can you recommend an exceptional river section for a beginner kayak camper?

I would say the Lower Flint and the Chattahoochee below Newnan. There are more sandbars and islands where you can camp legally and enjoy a true camping/nature trip. I have avoided naming my favorite paddle shop but I have to say that everyone needs what I call the “Georgia Paddler’s Bible”: ‘A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia’. You will be amazed at the wealth of paddling information.

I guess I could link to the book. There is a new edition out.  You realize that the clearing we’re doing is dating parts of the book? We should get a cut of the book sales!

Camping guilty pleasure?

I am at the age where I feel no guilt about anything that makes me comfortable when I camp. Others would probably say my memory foam pillow, battery powered fan and earplugs. Pitch your tent away from Grove’s -he snores.

Away from Grove, yes. Away from me too.  I toss and turn as I re-order my list of names… [UPDATE: Richard did call me to protest that no-one else has ever mentioned his snoring.]

Well those are the 10 questions. Thanks to Doc for playing along. If anyone has any other questions for him they can always send them in. As usual, Doc can be relied upon to show up on time and do at least what he said he’d do; so keep an eye out for him at your next paddling event. He likes the Backwoods Sweet Aromatic™ brand of smokes, available online or via your local smoke shop/QT gas station. If you do go to a QT gas station, try the beef Taquitos for a delicious taste of the South. Don’t forget Doc’s smokes.

Doc Stephens, for the win!

[APPLAUSE]