Hi John,

How is everything over there? We would all love more pictures and updates from Fiji. I went to see your old friend Kurt in Texas a while back. He is still grumbling about how you left him. LOL it a'nt easy loosing a good paddling buddy. But Fiji, I can see why :)

The glass on the blade is something I would have done for myself. But Father in Law will not paddle it very much I hate to say. If and when he does it will be very easy paddling. That is why I used hardwood and epoxy glue. The Spar Varnish will keep it sealed really well for many years.

In fact I have a traditional beaver tail canoe paddle that my Mom got when she was 17. That is 65 years ago. She got the paddle after a 2-week Girl Scout wilderness canoe trip up in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. She still remembers the trip. She said they had a Native American Indian guide and packed in everything for the 2 weeks. They caught fish and they all cooked and camped and she still claims it was one of the best times she can remember. After the trip was over she was awarded this paddle. It has painted on it the words " Wilderness Voyager First Class. This paddle is in excellent shape with nothing more than varnish on it for the finish. I now treasure it as a family air loom full of history and stories. When I pull that paddle out and put it in Mom's hands her eyes water and the stories begin all over again.

Well happy paddling,
Clayton Plunkett