In your element?

[Keroin]

Humpback whale off the west coast of Van Isl...

http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac126/Keroin/Ukeewhale.jpg

My first ever wild dolphin experience, Sea of Cortez...

http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac126/Keroin/Dolpins.jpg

Believe me, we were not harassing these animals. They wouldn't leave us alone!

 

[intothewoods]

I think snorkeling and body surfing are great, but other than that I find the ocean sort of boring. I've got no desire to be cooped up on a boat, and even less interest in lying around on the sand getting toasted.

When it comes to the great outdoors, I love forests and mountains more than anything else. If I had to pick just one state for vacations, it would be Colorado.

I haven't spent a ton of time on boats, but I really don't like lying around on the beach for that long. I love walking on the beach though, and I think Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Colorado is pretty nice too though.

Yup. The lack of big bugs and the limited amount of cold blooded critters is one of my absolute favorite things about the northwest.

Word.

I like kayaking in the ocean. It's a great way to observe sea otters and harbor seals in a place like Monterey Bay.

I really want to go kayaking again. Oh my god best time ever!

 

[JMohegan]

I haven't spent a ton of time on boats, but I really don't like lying around on the beach for that long. I love walking on the beach though, and I think Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Colorado is pretty nice too though.



Word.



I really want to go kayaking again. Oh my god best time ever!

Big Sur is gorgeous indeed. And this is reminding me of the time you put up a shot of Nepenthe.

For decent kayaking, you're not too far from Harper's Ferry. Probably wouldn't even have to stay overnight.

 

[JMohegan]

As far as I know, Hawaii and Tonga are your best bets for guaranteed humpback viewing. Most of our encounters have been off the west coast of Vancouver Island or on the Sea of Cortez in Baja. We did see a few when we lived in Aitutaki, as well. They are incredibly playful whales.

Two of my friends encountered a Blue Whale while kayaking in the Sea of Cortez, near Loreto. Can you imagine that? Wow. The Blue Whale's heart is the size of a Volkswagen Bug! They said they can never describe how spectacular it was.

I've seen about a bajillion dolphins in the wild. They never cease to amaze me.

Sea otters?

Sea otters are fucking adorable.

Hawaii and Tonga are a bit far, but I'll definitely keep whales in mind if I make it to Vancouver or Baja. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Netzach]

Yes, and even better is that our dangerous snake comes with a built in alarm.

Trivia I recently absorbed somewhere, unsure if it's true. If it is, it explains a lot.


80 percent of rattlesnake bites involve alcohol.

 

[Cattypuss]

I hear snakes can get really mean when they've been drinking

 

[Netzach]

As far as I know, Hawaii and Tonga are your best bets for guaranteed humpback viewing. Most of our encounters have been off the west coast of Vancouver Island or on the Sea of Cortez in Baja. We did see a few when we lived in Aitutaki, as well. They are incredibly playful whales.

Two of my friends encountered a Blue Whale while kayaking in the Sea of Cortez, near Loreto. Can you imagine that? Wow. The Blue Whale's heart is the size of a Volkswagen Bug! They said they can never describe how spectacular it was.

I've seen about a bajillion dolphins in the wild. They never cease to amaze me.

Sea otters?

Generally animals don't scare the living shit out of me, with the exception of REALLY HUGE moths (gag) and small things which are about to die and which I shall have to dispose of that are in my house. I mean the periodic black bear wandering in and opening a pack or climbing for one or rattling your shit around, or seeing a cougar track or something is just part of the excitement of getting out there. I like snakes. I won't go poking copperheads with sticks and me and snakes are copacetic.

However I will say that if it were me, a kayak, open ocean and a blue whale, I'm pretty sure I'd crap myself.

 

[Keroin]

Sea otters are fucking adorable.

Hawaii and Tonga are a bit far, but I'll definitely keep whales in mind if I make it to Vancouver or Baja. Thanks for the tip.

You're welcome.

Did you know that sea otters use the same rock for cracking open urchins and such for their entire life?

 

[Keroin]

Generally animals don't scare the living shit out of me, with the exception of REALLY HUGE moths (gag) and small things which are about to die and which I shall have to dispose of that are in my house. I mean the periodic black bear wandering in and opening a pack or climbing for one or rattling your shit around, or seeing a cougar track or something is just part of the excitement of getting out there. I like snakes. I won't go poking copperheads with sticks and me and snakes are copacetic.

However I will say that if it were me, a kayak, open ocean and a blue whale, I'm pretty sure I'd crap myself.

Even being surrounded by dolphins, while in my kayak, was really wild the first time it happened. I mean these are strong animals and they are in their element. Still cool though.

 

[chy_girl]

Trivia I recently absorbed somewhere, unsure if it's true. If it is, it explains a lot.


80 percent of rattlesnake bites involve alcohol.

That's because we have an assload of country boys who think it's great fun to wander around in the hills while drunk. Cause, ya know, mudding and hiking and shooting cans and coyotes and jackrabbits aren't nearly so fun without a beer.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

I hear snakes can get really mean when they've been drinking

Look at this idiot! Hey! Buddy! The snake does not want the martini! Okay? Trying to get the snake drunk is not going to get you some tender snake ass tonight! Jesus.

http://www.roadtripphotographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/_mg_6331_1.jpg

 

[Keroin]

Look at this idiot! Hey! Buddy! The snake does not want the martini! Okay? Trying to get the snake drunk is not going to get you some tender snake ass tonight! Jesus.

"Shaken, not stirred."

 

[chy_girl]

Look at this idiot! Hey! Buddy! The snake does not want the martini! Okay? Trying to get the snake drunk is not going to get you some tender snake ass tonight! Jesus.

Your right. Hiss, rattle, rattle, rattle means no. People need to respect that.

 

[graceanne]

80 percent of rattlesnake bites involve alcohol.

Well, I was gonna say 'darn those drunk snakes', but that was obviously not an original thought:

I hear snakes can get really mean when they've been drinking

That's because we have an assload of country boys who think it's great fun to wander around in the hills while drunk. Cause, ya know, mudding and hiking and shooting cans and coyotes and jackrabbits aren't nearly so fun without a beer.

I read somewhere that most hunting accidents involve alcohol, period. Cause why not load a gun and get drunk? Idiots.

Look at this idiot! Hey! Buddy! The snake does not want the martini! Okay? Trying to get the snake drunk is not going to get you some tender snake ass tonight! Jesus.

http://www.roadtripphotographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/_mg_6331_1.jpg

Dude! PLEASE PUT A SPEW ALERT IN YOUR SIG LINE!

 

[chy_girl]

I read somewhere that most hunting accidents involve alcohol, period. Cause why not load a gun and get drunk? Idiots.

Shhh.... It's one of the few forms of natural selection we have left.

 

[Etoile]

For decent kayaking, you're not too far from Harper's Ferry. Probably wouldn't even have to stay overnight.

Hey now, the Potomac is perfectly good for kayaking! I used to go a couple of times a week downtown. And for whitewater, there's Great Falls.

 

[Netzach]

Look at this idiot! Hey! Buddy! The snake does not want the martini! Okay? Trying to get the snake drunk is not going to get you some tender snake ass tonight! Jesus.[/IMG]

(snip awesome photo)

that's very funny. "snake ass."

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

"Shaken, not stirred."

Diamondbacks Are Forever.

Your right. Hiss, rattle, rattle, rattle means no. People need to respect that.

subs need to evolve a tail with a series of nested, hollow rattles, which grow each time they shed their skin; I this way they can signal their hard limits without using the word "No."

Dude! PLEASE PUT A SPEW ALERT IN YOUR SIG LINE!

You say the sweetest spew-related things.

I got a commuter cup recently, and, I shit you not; in addition to the standard warning, "Hot liquids can burn you," there was this alert: "Tipping the cup may result in beverage spilling."

I love that.

(snip awesome photo)

that's very funny. "snake ass."

Mmmmm....Supple. Shapely. Tastes sort of like chicken.

 

[neci]

it's a little scary, but i am in my element in a small town dive bar. complete with leather and puke.

 

[graceanne]

Shhh.... It's one of the few forms of natural selection we have left.

It's not them killing their drunk asses that annoys me, it's that they're out there hunting in the same area as my SOBER husband, and one of those morons might shoot him on accident.

That would REALLY piss me off.

 

[chy_girl]

It's not them killing their drunk asses that annoys me, it's that they're out there hunting in the same area as my SOBER husband, and one of those morons might shoot him on accident.

That would REALLY piss me off.

Yes, that is the major downfall. My brother is a sober hunter too and there would defiantly have to be a new level of ass-whopping invented for that.

 

[JMohegan]

You're welcome.

Did you know that sea otters use the same rock for cracking open urchins and such for their entire life?

No, I didn't. Where do they keep it?

Hey now, the Potomac is perfectly good for kayaking! I used to go a couple of times a week downtown. And for whitewater, there's Great Falls.

Well, there you go! What are you waiting for, ITW?

 

[Keroin]

No, I didn't. Where do they keep it?

They keep it in their armpit. Not all sea otters do this, BTW, but lots do.

You should seriously consider a kayaking trip in the Broken Island Group off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Otters, bald eagles, whales, salmon, sea lions, trees, sandy beaches, some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Amazing.

 

[intothewoods]

No, I didn't. Where do they keep it?


Well, there you go! What are you waiting for, ITW?

I have no idea. Bad ITW. This summer maybe.

 

[zarngash]

Hmmm nice topic Keroin...

I love water. Canoeing (or as I fondly call it ca-nude-ing), sailing, the sound of a stream or river, the ripple of waves, the sound of a boat hull tracking through the water.... but then I go on a hike through wooded acres, up hills and ravines, over mountain passes, and the views and the heat and the salvation of the wind. The wind in the mainsail filling with a snap, the wind making ripples, wavelets and waves, the wind cooling my face on a hike, the wind pushing me forward, and sometimes back. The wind sometimes too hot, often, cold in my lungs, on the face, in my eyes, hair and blowing in my nose or rustling the trees and the shrubs. The wind the breath of the earth...

I guess I got it narrowed down to wind, well at least for today.