| Getting fit at sea level. We are a nation of | | | | feel like pushing, go ahead, your body will thank you |
| multi-taskers. That's a theme that goes back to our | | | | and it beats staring at a TV screen on a treadmill. It's a |
| founding. The Minutemen were a bunch of farmers | | | | great upper body workout. |
| who also started a revolution. And they were fighting a | | | | Finally, what I consider the best part. You get to see |
| professional army!! Makes talking on a cell phone, | | | | the world around you. This is not only sea level, it's |
| driving, and eating breakfast seem somewhat | | | | "see" level. Get to know the banks of nearby river. |
| insignificant. | | | | Get to know the coves on a lake. And do it |
| Sorry, I got off subject there for a moment; it's the | | | | unencumbered by electronics. When I am running, |
| patriot in me. My point was about multi-tasking. And | | | | kayaking or doing anything outdoors the last thing I |
| now to go off in a totally different direction: Imagine | | | | want to do is listen to an iPod. The world is the best |
| you want to get fit, you want to get some fresh air, | | | | background music, whether it's the sounds of nature or |
| and you want to see the world around you. What is a | | | | the noise of the city. |
| great way to do this? Kayaking. | | | | So, in the American tradition, you are multi-tasking. You |
| As a life sport, kayaking is hard to beat. The first rule | | | | are enjoying nature, getting to know the world around |
| of a life sport is that it is accessible. Kayaking can be | | | | you, and you are getting to in shape. And this can all |
| done on rivers, lakes, bays, canals, and oceans. If you | | | | be done in a convenient manner. This is a sport where |
| don't live in Death Valley, chances are there is a | | | | you will get hooked. You will start small and make it |
| proper body of water nearby (Stay out of your | | | | part of your life. Day trips, vacations, tours, can all be |
| neighbors pool though, it's not only rude, it's really not | | | | built around your new love. |
| good exercise). | | | | As far as expenses go, they can vary. You may want |
| And a kayak can be loaded or unloaded off the roof | | | | to try a rental to see if this truly works for you. Then, |
| of a car in a manner of minutes. See all those people | | | | when you fall in love with kayaking, you can buy a |
| on the road with kayaks on the roofs? They pull up to | | | | kayak that fits in your budget. You can probably find a |
| a body of water and they are launched in five minutes. | | | | decent used one locally or on Craigslist or eBay. And, if |
| Much cheaper than paying for a boat slip or launch | | | | you have the budget, kayaks, like anything else, come |
| fees. | | | | in luxury models. Please don't skip on the safety |
| Once you are in kayak, you can get a nice cardio and | | | | equipment, wear a life preserver. |
| muscle workout without killing yourself. But if you do | | | | |