Chupacabra Canoe

I’m a sucker for anything tactical.

I will throw down some coin for some tactical gear even though in retrospect I can’t identify what strategy I am being tactical about.

Even as a seasoned individual, sometimes I jumble my tactics and strategies, but that’s a mistake as old as the English language (in my mind at least).

So, I’m vulnerable to splurge on anything if the word “tactical” is on the name or description. It’s been rumored that I have purchased tactical socks. I feel sheepish sharing that. I suppose if my strategy is to keep my feet warm, I would need tactical socks made of wool, right? But that’s not what I did. I bought them because they said “tactical”. I’m such a chump.

I’m drawn to anything tactical like a moth to the flame; knives for sure ( do I prefer a fixed blade or folding blade? Depends when I am trying to do, or my strategy , right? ) I also struggle with how many knives I need. One as a multi-tool, one for whittling by the campfire (I make a wicked spear!), one for stabbing, one for cutting, a rusty shank, etc. So many options.

How about tactical clothing? I like a nice tactical pant for my canoe trips. They are awesome. Lightweight and made of quick dry material, they are perfect for the summer excursions. They have removable, with a zipper, legs which turn the pants to shorts! I rarely use that feature because I will lose the removable pant leg if I do. I buy the Canyon Creek brand from Dunham’s, it’s the house brand. They are not expensive but who’s keeping score on the river? Lots of pockets for my strategic placement of cigar cutters, lighters, can openers, and the such. There are so many good pockets, sometimes I dump a handful of seeds in a pocket for easy access snackin.

Speaking of seeds, my strategy is to enjoy the many flavors out there. My personal favorite is ranch mixed with buffalo wing flavor or sizzlin bacon. what’s my tactic for enjoyment? Tactical pants.. cmon man!

But my Canyon Creek tactical pants don’t fit the bill on the fall excursion. I use the waders for those trips. With my strategy to not get hypothermia, should the water jump up and surprise me, my waders are tactical pants too? Interesting.

(BTW, Chupacabra Canoe has notched quite a few rivers on fall trips, I should document those).

So now I’m thinking, I don’t need some marketing hack telling me what I am buying is tactical, that’s up to me!

So, let’s try this out… if my strategy is to “impress” the missus for dinner, maybe I’m using my tactical grill for a nicely cooked steak. (I currently own a Pit Boss; it’s been good to me so far). Maybe mix in a nice chocolate torte for dessert, or as I am calling it: “tactical torte”. Perhaps I’m lighting a candle to set the mood after dinner? Not just any candle, a tactical candle.

Yep, I think I have it now. I won’t be a sucker for those items marketed as tactical anymore. Those things aren’t much different from the regular non- tactical items, they usually just come in some flat black, brown, or green paint rather than all those flashy colors.

I’ll buy what I need, it’s all tactical.

Anyway. Thanks for reading!

JStroke.