Mr. Wiggles

Here's a few more of my silly cartoons.

 

 

Water Safety

It's not a winter coat, blazer, tweed jacket, nor leisure suit. It's not bright orange and doesn't feel like two pillows tied to your chest. You don't sweat like a pig in warm weather while wearing it and you can actually move around comfortably. What is it? It's a new Automatic Inflatable Life Jacket that my wonderful wife purchased for me on our anniversary. Oh yeah, it's our twenty-something...

It's made by Onyx and she purchased it at Sports Academy for $79.99. I was able to use it last weekend on a kayak fishing trip.

Interestingly, the left side opens via Velcro to reveal the value, auto water sensor, Co2 air cylinder and manual inflate handle. You must change the air cylinder every 3 years.

I have standards that are important to me in life jacket design. One, they work and save my life, two the comfort level while wearing them.

Now, I have not water tested the vest, so I am taking a leap of faith that it will perform when I fall in the water, but it is U.S. Coast Guard Approval and a lot of folks are using them. So, I think it will work, but I wonder at what point does it inflate, before or after your head goes under? I will let you know about this at a later date.

I have tested the comfort level during a 4 hour kayak trip and I must say that it was the most comfortable vest that I have ever used. In fact, I actually forgot that I had the vest on. Now that is a comfortable vest! If you are around the water a lot, then you may want to purchase an auto inflatable vest, too. Ladies, it would make a great gift for the man that loves the water!

Warm and Cozy???

My fishing buddy, Buttermilk camped out on the Duck River Friday night. Saturday morning at home, I checked my phone and had a text message from Buttermilk. Here's what he said.... "I found this cat down here. I put him in my tent to keep warm. He's kind of ornery though." Here's the picture Buttermilk sent.

Hummmm...Looks like Buttermilk needs to get his eyes checked? Anyway, I traveled down to the Duck and had a great fall fishing trip with Buttermilk and the "Duck Master." Who's the Duck Master? Find out in the next trip report which will follow soon.

Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!



I Love This Lake!

I Love this lake,

The most amazing scenes appear in its wake,

The sun arises just above the shore,

Giving grace and beauty to this place I adore.

LKO, 2009

Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least put one on the wall!

 

New Host for LeoLakes Website!

Finally, after about three weeks of work the www.LeoLakes.com decor maps website has been moved to a new hosting. That new host is Go Daddy and so far they are great! The new website has been up-dated and many new features have been incorporated. I think the site looks a little more professional. Please check it out, www.LeoLake.com  and if you ever need to frame your favorite lake, river or bay, we have your map! 

Hopefully, I will have more time to post on this blog instead of working on a website! Remember, Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least put one on the wall!

 

New website coming soon!

I haven't posted much on this blog lately because I've been working hard moving the LeoLakes website to a new hosting site. The new site will have an improved look and better features. It has been a lot of work to move, but I think it will better serve the customers. Stay tuned for the official date when the site is ready. Also, holiday orders (personalized & custom)start picking up by the end of October, so don't wait too late.

Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least put one on your wall!

Map your adventure?

Over the Labor Day weekend, I went on a kayak fishing trip to the Duck River. Instead of a long blog report about the activities, sites, fish etc... I decided to try something new, an adventure map!

Click on adventure map to enlarge!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an adventure map with words and pictures is priceless! I'm not discussing much about the trip, but am using this adventure map to convey the information. Most importantly, I'm experimenting with a new idea. Let me know what you think. To see more of my custom maps go to www.LeoLakes.com

 

 

Do River Otters Attack People?

Here's what flashed through my mind this weekend. "I suddenly thought about what would happen if this 20-30 lb. river otter attacked me in my kayak?" It all started last Saturday. I spent the day kayak fishing away from the big screen and on a big stream named the Duck River. Duck River is located in middle Tennessee and is the most biologically diverse river in North American. This river contains more fish varieties per mile than any other river in North America. The Duck is home to over 150 species of fish, 55 mussels, 22 species of snails and many aquatic animals. Anyway, I was lucky to capture a photo of this critter from my kayak.

 It's a North American River Otter. This is only my second sighting of a river otter, the other was on the Harpeth River, also located in Tennessee.

 These animals are very agile. In fact, I watched the otter twist and turn like a corkscrew while chasing minnows in and out of the reeds. The minnows were fast, but the otter was faster, often coming up with its catch. 

This otter was oblivious to my presence. Here I am, in a big blue kayak, slowly moving toward the otter, while taking photos. He was total focused on fishing. This made me believe that he was a fairly young otter.  

 Finally, I moved within 35 feet of the otter and he still didn't detect me. He would come up for air and I would snap a picture. 

I decided that I was too close and began to slowly move away because I don't like to disturb wildlife too much. I slowly paddled in reverse with one hand while holding the camera with the other, I was hoping that the otter would do something interesting.  

While backing up, the paddle lightly banged against the kayak. Bang, this got the otters attention and he looked up straight in my direction. For a few seconds we both stared at each other and then, he showed me his teeth. You know, it's funny what goes through your mind when a wild animal shows you his teeth. I suddenly thought about what would happen if a 20-30 lb.  river otter attacked, but quickly discounted the idea because I have never heard of otters attacking folks, right? Anyway, check out those teeth; they look like they could do some real damage. Can you believe how white they are? It appears that they've been whiten by the local dentist. Dang, they're bright! Then...

...the otter raised up aggressively and let out a big snort. I wondered if  this otter was on the edge of attack.  All of a sudden he quickly disappeared under the water heading in my direction. Oh crap, camera down and paddle up. After some time had passed, he apparently had moved on. Boy, did I feel relieved, but otters don't attack people, right? After the trip, I arrived home and the first thing I did was research otter attacks. To my surprise, I found that otters do attack people. Often times when they have small one's around, but sometimes for no known reason. The attacks are vicious; however no one has died from an otter attack. Luckily, it doesn't occur often. Now when I see an otter, I have more respect.

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