Category Archives: Outdoors

Pets, Polar, Scooter, Snoopy

Canine Scooter Enthusiasm

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I tried out this carry case with a few of the dogs, but neither of them seemed that comfortable, so I’m going in another direction and returning the item. I believe it was for a more petite dog and I can’t see going around like that for an extended period. It would also be unwieldy to be by myself at the park to remove the dog to let him run around, but not to be able to unsnap the device without being Houdini.

I’m still exploring the options of a hitch to the scooter, but that will more likely happen with the e-bike that I have ordered since it has a lot more power than the scooter ever will, especially on inclines.

In the meantime, I noticed that even in the one short trip I took with Polar, he was inspired to jump on the foot portion of the scooter REPEATEDLY, as if saying, “Don’t forget to take me along for the ride.” I might experiment with that by putting him on a leash, not forcing him to run next to me, but also keeping me between my feet while using the scooter. The advertisement for the scooter actually had a dog on that foot platform, although it didn’t indicate whether the scooter was in motion.

California, Rowing, Scooter, Vallejo, Video, Whaleboat

Scooter Trip to Glen Cove Marina

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Take electric scooter to marina to avoid driving car? CHECK!

This was one of my ideas for a clean energy trip back and forth to the Glen Cove Marina. I had to use a little foot power to help myself on the inclines since the scooter slowed down to almost nothing, but I didn’t need to drive my SUV to go to the marina. Plus I got to store the scooter safely on the dock while we went out on the rowboat!

It was a pretty cold morning, but we’ve had worse! Had to catch this mega-ship behind us as we rowed.

Family, Holidays, Pets, Scooter

Hayden Family Xmas 2023

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Shando and I had a wonderful xmas gathering yesterday at my sister’s house in Granite Bay. My nephew is only 16 and towers over all of us. My brother, sister and I are there with their kids, Brooke and Nicholas, and my brother-in-law, Ken. It looks like everyone got the memo to wear grey, but my niece is actually wearing maroon (you just can’t see it in this photo).

We brought the foldable electric scooter which Shando finally agreed to try on the flat street in my sister’s neighborhood. I think he was afraid to say how much he loved it, but he is always worried about breaking a bone, since he’s proud that he has never had to wear a cast in his life.

We brought two of our senior dogs, Polar and Capulet. My sister’s brown-spotted dog Ricki was reticent about the company, but she and Polar fell in love and played a ton, which was nice to see. My brother brought Mocha, the little chihuahua mix, who was more aloof. I listened carefully to the video to make sure we protected those we were gossiping about. They are not identifiable from this video. 🙂

Gifts for my niece and nephew (from “Guncles”):

Nature, Rowing

Two Seal Friends on Xmas Eve

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This one gave me some side-eye, but I moved very slowly hoping she knew I was no threat.

For my maiden voyage with my own kayak I ventured into the Carquinez Strait, which I’m very familiar with since I’ve been whaleboat rowing there for a good two years. Shando helped me get the kayak onto our car and into the water. Right away I saw a “rock” in the distance, but I suspected it was one of the seals I saw a few days ago. Soon enough I saw the second bopping around. The one that is suspended here is lying on a mostly submerged rock. When I saw them from the trail with my scooter, the tide was lower a few days ago. I kept floating into the rock area without trying, but the seal barely paid me any mind. This is amazing footage and I felt closer to them physically than it appears on camera.

Video from Shando’s perspective:

Here’s what the car looks like with the kayak mounted:

Bike, Health, Outdoors, Scooter, Technology

My first EV!

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My first electric vehicle was a very affordable scooter. It’s powerful (enough) and very convenient. I’m already thinking of creative ways to use it. I can go to doctor and dentist appointments nearby, down to the marina to row, and maybe even concoct a way to transport dogs in their fully enclosed wagon! It might be a stretch, but I could even transport my kayak on its cart down to the waterfront with this!

My new GoPro is going to go well with this as well!

Put put!

Test driving with the dog cart (no dogs were hurt in the making of this video). Notice it’s empty because I did not want to risk it with the dogs even in this situation, but at least I know there’s enough power to do this.

First ride with Polar in a makeshift front poncho. I will soon order a comfortable dog poncho for the front for him and a few other of the more adventurous dogs that like to travel.

Kayak, Outdoors, Rowing

Kayak Accessories and Holder

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December 19 update: After some heavy rains, I determined that facing the kayak out and down was optimal to ensure the insides remained dry when it rains. I also made sure to have a sponge and towels on board in the storage regardless, even for when I spill droplets onto myself while rowing. I also tested out the cradles on the luggage rack, which worked well, but instead of storing the cradle pieces under the kayak, it makes more sense to keep those in the car so they always remain dry and never need to be carried back and forth. Yet another lesson learned was to dismantle the cart and put it in the storage bin when not in use, since even leaving it out under the kayak subjected it to water gathering on it.

December 13: It feels great to have a safe, clean, dry place where I can keep my kayak when not in use that is out of the way and basically has zero footprint! On the side of the house where I do my garden preparation it was stored on rafters for a few days.

After installing the holders on the window frames, this is what it looks like:

I also bought a cart that easily dismantles and fits in the kayak storage when I’m on the water. What I love about this cart is that even without my car, I can strap my kayak on here and WALK down to the water where I live, get in the water, and then walk back when I’m done rowing! In addition to the roof racks shown here, I also have kayak cradles that manually screw on and off when the kayak is ready to be put in place. My inclination is to leave the luggage rack bars up since they are locked in place