Kayaks are Done! And they Float!

The kayaks are finished.  We have the paint on and the paddles done.  We took them out for a test drive on Saturday early in the morning as the sun was coming up.  What a beautiful day in Teton Valley.  The boys met at my house and we filtered down to the Teton River which is to the East of my house.  There is an access where Fox Creek enters the river and this is where we went.

Each boy got to try to portage the kayak as we had around 75 yards to get to the river from the trail head.  It was a little awkward so we all just grabbed the kayaks and down we went.  Kiowa was the first one in his kayak and in the water.  It was awesome to see the look of joy as he started paddling out into the middle.  One by one they all got in and it was the same expression. This is the thing that makes ones heart swell. We had worked so long on these things and now this was a real reward.

Those present were:  Dalton, Chase, Kiowa, Gabren, Josh, Andrew, and Zach came a little later.  The leaders were me, Andrew and Aaron.  Parents that came were Nick, Tom, Andrea, Jeff, Brent and Tara.  We had a guest appearance by Ryan as he came up the river in his river boat.  The boys thought it was neat that he made an entrance like that with the engine roaring as he pulled up.

Dalton portaging over the fence ladder.  What a brave young man.  Jeff coaching him on

Gabren in front, Josh helping him with his kayak.  Andrew and Aaron carrying Josh's kayak.  Chase is under the kayak to the left trying to get it on his shoulders.  Notice the shark teeth.  He calls it the "Sushi Searcher"

Nick and Chase

Kiowa was first in.   Here he is on  his return trip.  Andrew was second and you can see his kayak coming in from the right.

Andrew 

Kiowa and Andrew

Gabren heading out and Chase just getting in.  Notice that Chase's shark teeth are perfect in the water.  Aaron standing in the water and Jeff  up on the bank

Dalton and Gabren

Gabren and Josh

Kiowa takes a break.  Josh out there further

Josh, Kiowa and you can see the rest of the boys to the right.

Coming back in momentarily

Go back out!

Oh yeah the sound of a motor boat scares them to the side

Its only Ryan

I love how the sun is hitting them right now.  This is Gabren, Andrew and Josh

A couple of them need to get going so they pull them out.  Ryan and Andrew talking in the sunlight

Aaron, Nick and Jeff

Alex came to help

Zach finally shows up after almost all are out.  Nice Captain America paint though

Gabren didn't want to come out.  Zach getting up to speed

Zach being brave.  I bet he tips over some time

I'm still standing

Look Dad, I can balance!

Whoops!  Not for long.  Zachy almost gets a drink

Zach, Tara,  Josh and Ryan

We head back to the trail head.  What a beautiful day.

 We only had a few leak a little water in them.  It turned out that they only needed to put another coat of paint on to make it thicker.  All in all it was great to have that sense of accomplishment that all is done.

Carson entered the water later that day with his fancy paintjob on his kayak.  Here are a couple pictures of him that his mom texted me.  His mother's friend is an artist who helped him paint.