Chupacabra Canoe Est. 2012

A Reflection by JStroke

Have you watched Tom Brady give post-game analysis lately for NFL games? He wears a three-piece suit. I can only see two of the three pieces, but I am going to assume he is wearing the pants. Why the three-piece suit?  Is there added credibility to Tom Brady in a suit rather than perhaps a nice polo shirt or casual button down? How much more credibility does a 7-time Superbowl winner need? Perhaps some football fans can sense that the commentator is wearing polo shirt versus a suit based on the comments. Maybe the commentator needs the suit to set the tone for himself? The color commentator guys never wore a suit in their playing days, wouldn’t they be more comfortable just sporting a jersey? I don’t get it.

This leads me to the question of the day… what would have been the commentary for my performance on the latest canoe trip?

 The Chupacabra took on the Clarion in August for the third time. You can read my recap here (its quite good): Chupacabra Canoe Revisits the Clarion. – Chupacabra Canoe Est. 2012. As I reflect on my performance, I can hear the commentary…

About packing the canoe for the weeklong trip:

“JStroke seems to have found the secret to efficient packing and canoe set up. His canoe is riding high in the water and he has plenty of room for Hambone and The Tick.”

Response: The trick was that I was depending on another canoe to carry some of my gear. However, it only ended up being one bag, but it made the difference. I minimized my personal gear when it comes to clothes. Do I really need to have a different shirt for each day? I stuck with making sure I have enough dry socks and skivvies. I also was depending on others to bring items, especially when it comes to cooking.  It may be a lesson for all of us. Should we consolidate more gear?

About navigating the river:

“He’s really struggling without Firestick in the bow. He is seeing the lines through the hazards, but his turns aren’t crisp and are taking too long. I bet he has a greater appreciation for the skills of a good bowman like Firestick.”

Response: This is true. I noticed it on the first day. Navigating the river with a fully loaded canoe without a bowman was something I haven’t done in a few years. I guess I have become accustomed to the ever-increasing skills of Firestick. However, this was a good learning experience for Hambone. Hambone stepped up and when I needed it, his paddle was in the water helping.

About campfire cooking:

“I think we are witnessing a new era in camp cuisine. The Brotherhood of the Supper has put on one of the most impressive culinary offerings we have ever witnessed on the river.”

Response: I was proud to be a part of the Brotherhood. Sharing meals is a brilliant concept that has been carried on by Cap’n Canoe, Rubber Ducky, and others in the past. I have been a part of this endeavor for a couple of trips. Time is saved by not having to prepare a meal each night. It’s a lot of work for your assigned night, but the other nights, you can enjoy the camaraderie and relax. The offerings this year were outstanding, fish, NY Strip, pork chops, and stuffed beef loin on different nights. The plan works out.

About making good decisions:

“Who the hell thought bringing the Grumman on this trip was a good idea?”

Recap: It was a great trip; there is room for improvement and there were successes to celebrate.

Would I feel any different about the comments if they were made by someone in a three-piece suit. Probably not.

Thanks for reading.

JStroke