I want to echo some of your sentiments. Building and paddling for me has been a "sanity break" from what many would term the real world. I am starting to strip the deck on my spring run and by the end of this season will have been out on three separate camping excursions with each of my family members (wife, daughter and son)in the Pygmy Osprey Double that I finished in the Spring of 2000. Plus some other paddling outings. Your daily work has differenct stresses than mine, but I find I need an outlet to get me away from what I do on a daily basis. My schedule doesn't enable me to build and paddle as much as I would like but rarely a day goes by that I don't check this bulleting board (even though I am not an active poster). I feel that the names and characters who are here have become a part of my life. It is as if I am a member of a community of kindred spirts who I have never met in the flesh. Correction I have met one fellow builder and paddler,through this board, who lives close by and have enjoyed several evening paddling excursions with her. It really is an incredible group of people here, the talent, the humour, the honesty, the helpfullness and the compassion. I recall numerous posts have caused me to reflect and say hey, with people like that around, the world really is a good place. Let me add my thanks to Nick for hosting the board and to the many unseen friends that I feel that I have made, who have helped me build my boat and often helped to brighten my day.

Everyone have a good Sunday at the end of this awfull week which we will all remember for a long time.

PS About that addiction thing...I have also already picked out the SOF which will be my next boat...