Weather Outlook For Launch Day

Well, it's not looking very encouraging is it. There are two major storms headed right into the path of the Tennessee River and my canoe travel plans. One weather service predicts that eastern Tennessee could receive 12 to 24 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Lee. What do you think that would do to the Tennessee River. If I started my trip just after the storm blew through, I wouldn't have to paddle at all. All I would have to do is steer.

If that is not enough rain and wind for you, then here comes Hurricane Katia. Who knows what will happen to the river by the time this storm blows by. At that point I may be able to canoe directly from Knoxville at the river head, west to the river terminal end in Paducah, Kentucky. That would be only 270 miles instead of 652 miles. Hummm. Not a bad idea. That could be some kind of record or something.

Polishing The Canoe

After about 50 years of life as a canoe, the aluminum had a lot of oxidation build-up. I knew that under all of that grey rough surface was a beautiful shinny aluminum and I wanted to get to it. My first attemp was a disaster because I attempted it myself. I did a terrible job, became very frustrated and quit. I decided to take it to an auto body shop to have it polished. They polished it very well, better than I ever did, but it was really not quite to the perfection level that I was seeking.

This morning a friend suggested a chemical that you just spray on and it just magically shines the surface of the aluminum. I was a sucker and I should have known better. It was a disaster. The canoe turned a milky grey color with splotches and runs.

I finally in desperation took the canoe to an auto detail shop just down the road and they said they could help me to bring out the shine. Here it is the Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend and I am leaving in 4 days. I had no choice but to trust them. This was my last shot. Anything would look better than what I had anyway. The detail guy and I worked on it together for several hours and it turned out great. I am very pleased. This is the polished canoe that I had envisioned from the beginning. Yahoo! Success!

Now I can lighten my load by not having to lug along a mirror.

How is that for a canoe surface?