My Introduction

[Tat2Yak]

Hello,

My name is Sammy and I have been kayaking the Pacific for more than ten years. I'll be moving back to Arkansas next year after ending a 20 year stint in the USMC. I am glad I found this website.

I am looking forward to the lakes and rivers that I grew up on. Arkansas is truly a beautiful gem. I never paddled any of these places when I lived there. Chasing big fish got me into paddling, but I know there is so much more to it.

I have been fortunate enough to paddle beside migrating gray whales, sea turtles, and countless dolphins. I know I'll miss the Pacific, but that's what road trips are for, right? I have even been bumped by a Mako, she was a big beautiful creature and I am happy to have had the encounter. Instead of freaking out, I reached in to touch her before she disappeared into the deep. If anyone of you are going to be in San Diego this summer, drop me a line and maybe we can paddle La Jolla Shores (maybe even try to catch a Yellow Tail or White Sea Bass).

Happy Paddling,
Sammy

[GutIt]

Hey Sammy! Welcome to the board!

Just wanted to thank you for serving. You will always have my undying gratitude for what you have done.

Lots of runs and lots of water waiting for you when you get on back here and it sounds like you're gonna have your "work" cut out for you!

Looking forward to seeing you out there!

[Karla]

Sammy,
Thank you for serving our country in the best, U.S. Marines. Semper Fi from a previous marine mom. My son served 4 years active duty with the Marines. He has been inactive 4 years now. Look forward to meeting you and maybe paddling with you.

Karla

[garyreinhart]

Hey marine, look forward to paddling with you! We may even do some fishing, but it will pale to saltwater fishing, as does paddling lakes rather than oceans....but now whitewater.....the next best thing if there isn;t any surf! .....there are many good paddlers with allot to offer here and I will do what I can also. Plus, you gonna love my 1000 yd AR15 baby! Shoot right off my deck....Arkansas has some great things to offer! My daughter is putting in a package into the Corps Officer Program...........hey what ya gonna do???/lol :} Stay healthy Sammy!
Gary
Photographers Mate First Class
Air Warfare Specialist
USN 21 years

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

[Tat2Yak]

Thank you all for the warm greetings. I can't wait to get back there. The job hunt is on!

Last night I scored a Dagger RPM, helmet, paddle, PFD, and skirt for $350.00. It's easy to pick up a great deal in Socal. With the exception of the surf zone, a whitewater kayak is useless in socal due to the lack of any river that actually has water in it.

Sammy

[Cowper]

Let me add my greetings to the others. And add: You obviously have an appreciation for wildlife encounters. So when you get back home, yes, enjoy our mountain streams, but give Eastern Arkansas a whirl too. The water is brown, and the scenery very different, but it grows on you. Nothing like a Mako or a dolphin to play with, but many encounters with smaller critters will occur. A jumping gar almost upset one of our canoes on the last outing; I've awoken from naps to find myself within feet of a curious otter; and since you're a fisherman, you'll have another whole sport to keep you interested in the area. And that's not even counting the world class duck hunting in that part of the state, if that interests you.

DeBo posts some trip notices on the Recreational page, but don't wait for those. Post or send either me or her a PM if you want some suggested trip destintations.