"You have one life, live it without stress. Living simply and getting back to nature is the best way I know to de-stress. I innovate products out of necessity to achieve simplicity and comfort, off-the-grid in the great outdoors – be mobile, travel light and live simply."
My beloved daughter Adeline and my dog Minnie. They have explored the great outdoors with me since they were both babies.
This is where we connect and shed stress.
Adventures with My Daughter and My Injury
When my beloved daughter was born, I sold my cherished 33 foot Hunter sailboat that I had been restoring for years (1977 Cherubini design) and bought a camper trailer, more kayaks and more SUPs – much more suitable for a child. A young daughter introduced new challenges to my Tom Sawyer lifestyle, still, I couldn't wait to share my love for the ocean with my beloved Adeline! I took her to Navarre FL when she was 2 years old. While carrying her, plus her stuff, plus my fishing gear and everything else we needed for the day, I pinched a nerve in my neck – which put a damper on the trip for me, though I made sure she had a blast. Despite the setback, seeing the joy on my daughter’s face made it all worthwhile. Still, I felt like a freakin mule lugging the basic necessities for the day from the condo across a 30 yard parking lot, then across another parking lot, plus another 50 yards of soft sand! Also, the Navarre pier is 515 yards long plus 25 stair-steps upwards and back down! Try carrying a 2 year old and your necessary gear along that journey! (After the trip, and years f trial and error, I knew there were better solutions with better products. She loved the view once we reached the end of the pier – sea turtles, dolphins, sunset and ocean as far as the eye could see. It dawned on me that this was the first time she had ever seen anything like this... time just stood still for a moment. The scene made the best water park in the world seem like kiddy pool. I wrote a poem about the trip (below) if anyones wishes to read it.
Another sunset on the beach with my daughter Adeline.
Early days – modifying my 12' G1 Raptor kayak with a sail rig and some tandem, off-the-shelf more comfortable seats. The G1 and G2 Raptor Kayaks (West Coast made) are amazing kayaks weighing in at around 65 lbs – Extremely stable and extremely comfortable when fitted with a nice seat with good lumbar support. I usually add memory foam in the lower lumbar area for extra support to accommodates my back injury.
I just started designing and building what I needed.
I wanted convenience and comfort during the excursions with my daughter – I tried countless beach carts and kayak/SUP seats, only to find them lacking in one way or another. They were either flimsy, impractical, heavy or simply not suited to my needs as a traveler – we fly a lot, and my gear must be self-contained and flight-ready, and/or fit into suitcases and smaller rental vehicles. Basically, 75% of the stuff out there is just crap thrown on the market with a bow wrapped around it – engendering ridiculous expectations! Eventually, I just started building my own surf carts and kayak/SUP comfort seats right here in the USA. It has been a "happily ever after..."
HEART'S SET SAIL
(For Adeline 2014)
Walking along the shoreline
near the sand castles we’d made
the wind called from the distance
over water where dolphins played
Rising emerald tides
cross the open sea
traveling far to reach us
coming just for you and me
A wave came rushing through
leaning into the crest we brace
your trusting arms around me
everything felt in place
Your eyes held the sunset’s reflection
I paused to gaze a while
at the greatest gift I’ll ever know
who taught me how to smile
I’ve seen the ocean before
an amazing site to see
but even more beautiful now
holding you close to me
No storm can keep me away
my love will always be
as the ship of our hearts set sail
over the rolling sea