Saturday, October 15, 2011

Black River paddle November 12 and 13th

Looking at doing the Black River November 12 and 13th. Will be camping at Henry's Landing.
All of the info is on Carolina Kayak Club.

Cheers,

John

Sunday, July 31, 2011

I thought my paddling friends would enjoy this view of an awesume coastline.














I plan to take 6 people here in 2012.
Let me know if you would like to go.
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Summertime

Summer is here with a vengance. 98 + today with a 10 degree reduction promised for the weekend.
I feel for anyone who has to work outdoors in this heat.
Don't leave any living thing in a car, please !
Children and animals are dying everyday somewhere due to this.

Going down to Swansboro for the weekend. Leaving out Friday am. coming back after paddling on Sunday.
Will be staying at the Cedar Point Campground in Croatan Nat'l Forest.
I hope Mrs. Tootle in New Bern at the Nat'l Park Office, comes through with the senior passes for Dave and I.
$10.00 for a lifetime of free entry and camping in Nat'l Forests anywhere in the USA.
We plan to paddle out of the White Oak River , go under Hiway 24 and across the Inland Waterway and explore the islands and sand of several islands.

Made some inquiries as to a choice of cold wines for the summer and Reisling and Rose have gotten high reccomendations. Any suggestions from you ?

I'll see what Harris Teeter has to offer. Lowes had some great selections last night.

Got out the old Coleman electric cooled cooler , plugged it in and it works.
Plan to fill it with frozen water bottles to help maintain a cool inside temperature.

Hosting at the Burlington Artist League at Holly Hill Mall at the moment.
It is hot in the Mall.
4-8:00 PM today.

Everyone stay cool.

John

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Long Time, no work, no paddle

Doctor said I can't go back to work without restrictions until June 6th.
Asked about paddling on the lake and he said no kayaking until June 1st.
This really does affect the lifestyle, however, the benefits from the surgery are long lasting.
Take care, out there, get your checkups, and follow your doctor's orders. He knows what's best for you for  a reason.

Cheers,



John

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Feeling Better, but

Went to chorale practice Monday night in Mebane for the May 10th concert:

Caught a ride to and from Mebane since I can't drive and take Percocet.
Sang some high notes and felt a tickle on my chest.
After getting home saw a little blood on my t-shirt.
A little drainage started happening so the doctors at UNC CH wanted to take a look.
The wife drove me down today and after a poke and a good squeeze (ouch) all was pronounced good to go.
I plan to take the practice Monday ( dress rehersal ) a little easier and save the gusto high notes for the actual performance on Tuesday night. There is a place in Mozart's Requiem, No 7. Lacrymosa, where the basses come in strong, like blow your hair back strong. (FF) Of course, I take that as a queue not to hold back and hit it hard.

This is good stuff. Come see us Tuesday night. The men will be in black tuxedos and the ladies will be in black dress, formal. Y'all can come as you are and as you will.

I feel fine. Just have to get the stitches out and clearance from the doctor to resume a more active life style.
Even had a fine offer from a friend to come pick me up, load my boat, and take me kayaking. Now that is friendship and I look forward to that day.

Thanks for all the well wishes.

More later,

John

Monday, May 2, 2011

Feeling Better

I want to thank all of you who responded to the blog and FACEBOOK. It was nice of you.
The weather is so nice. I want to go paddling.
The stitches should come out in a week or so so maybe after that we can get on the water.
I know all of you are enjoying getting out, so enjoy .
This is going to be a good year. I plan to ask for some Saturdays off so I can go paddling with my friends and go on some trips.
Y'all take care. I really to appreciate all of you.

Cheers,


John

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Recovery after surgery

Had the mass removed from my sternum on Monday. Came home on Wednesday.

Taking Percocet for pain.

Have a 5 inch incision in my chest going verticle.

Everything seems be be going ok.

Doctor said it would take about 2 weeks to heal.

Can't drive with the percocet in my system but want to get out.

Am reading "The White Queen" by Phillippa Gregory and "the Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Can't put the "Walking Country , Wharfedale, in the Yorkshire Dales" down. 32 walks just up the road from my cousin's home in Yorkshire.


Did some of them. Want to do the rest. Especially some of the walks around Kettlewell for stunning views and up from Buckden to Cray where there is a Roman road. Of course , the walk from Yokenthwaite to Hubblehome sounds good because it goes by the ancient stone circle. All of these walks go by pubs and one can catch the Dales bus in any of the trail heads to get back to Grassington.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Surgery

Had my first surgery, on Monday, April 25th.
Had a mass removed from my sternum at UNC CH.
The mass was malignant but the doctor say he got all of it. Good news!
If I hadn't had the ct scan for the pancreitas the mass would not have been discovered.

Wow

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Hit the water running

I'll be paddling Brandt and MacIntosh on Tuesday and Thursday.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunday, Feb 20, 2011

Went to Linda Well's birthday party on Friday night, my family had a bd party for me last night at PF Changs (Bros, Sis, and Step mom), and tonight was the immediate family bd party at our house, grandkids and all.
Birthday is on the 22nd just like Georgie.
How old? I'm so old I forgot.....Ha !




 Comment if you love me and become a follower if you really care, please !

Sunday, February 13, 2011

10 days in Britain



Do you enjoy travel?
Would you enjoy flying to the UK with 6 to 8 of your paddling friends?
Ever wondered what goes on in an English pub?
Ever had a pint of gravity fed ale ?
Ever stayed in an English bed and breakfast?
Ever had a full English breakfast?
Wondered why fish and chips is so popular in the UK?
Have you ever wondered why the English love their tea so much?
Would you like to see Salisbury, Stonehenge, Old Sarum, Salisbury Cathedral, Swindon, Exeter, Barnstable, Braunton, Ilfracombe, Lea’s Bay, Watermouth Bay, and Morte Hoe, to name a few?




Have you ever seen hanging baskets of flowers that trail to the ground?
Would traveling by rail across England and enjoying the landscape go by be of any interest to any of you?
Would you be interested in seeing gorse flowers covering a hillside with a golden glow?
Have you ever stood on a quay and watched the water lapping against a rock wall and wished to have a kayak to paddle?








Do you enjoy stunning scenery?
Do you enjoy paddling in salt water and camping on beaches you never been to before?
Would being at the location of the second highest tides in Europe hold any interest or curiosity?


Capable of paddling 10 to 15 miles a day? Have you ever explored a water cave?
Would you be interesting in paddling with several BCU 4 Star coaches and being coached by them for 5 days?
If you are remotely interested in any of the above, I have put together a trip to Britain for 6 to 8 paddlers.
The length of the trip will be 10 days.
We will leave Raleigh Durham airport on the 16th of June and will return on the 26th of June.
I been to this place before and I can vouch for all of our hosts, both on and off the water. The British trains are comfortable, fast, and on time.
I’ve tried to make this trip fun for all, affordable, and memorable .For any inquiries, please contact John Flowers at captcapella@yahoo.com.I plan to set up a meeting for all interested parties as soon as I have 6 to 8 interested paddlers.

Cheers,

John Flowers

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Burlington Arts League Small Art Judged Competition

Being a photograph in an arts competition which is 95% art, I felt gratified to get an honorable mention for one of my photographs.

I shall be exhibiting at this location now, since I am now a member.

I will start hanging more images in March after this display comes down.

Come take a look. I may be there on a volunteer day in March.

Location: Holly Hill Mall, Huffman Mill Road, Burlington, NC.

They are a very nice group of artists.

Cheers !

This does look like fun.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Burlington Arts League Small Art Judged Competition

Reception today for those who are entered in the contest at Holly Hill Mall, Burlington, NC from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. I'll be there.

Cheers to all,

John

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Burlington Arts League Small Art Judged Competition

Another possible entry
 in the competition.          Burnsall Bridge













Malham Cove

Burlington Arts League Small Art Judged Competition

I plan to enter three photos in to this competition in Burlington which will be featured at the Fine Arts Gallery at Holly Hill Mall from February 3rd until February 28th.

I plan to enter 3 photos from my trip the Yorkshire Dales this year.

Now to chose which ones to enter.

My Cousin's Front Yard



Cheers,

John

Monday, January 24, 2011

The Haw River Assembly

I've grew up in Alamance County which is based around the Haw River.
Went to Bynum yesterday with some friends and did a hike led by Elaine with the Haw River Assembly.
We walked along the banks of the Haw on land which had been purchased so that we could enjoy what is there.
We were educated as to the continuing pollution of the Haw and surrounding ground waters in North Carolina.
It seems that local governments just don't seem to care about what God gave us and insist on further polluting and destroying this earth. We must take care of our resources. The first step is to educate. The next step is that don't let people spoil what we really need; our water.

I've always enjoyed the outdoors and hope that we can educate and preserve what resources we have.
I'll probably do another walk this week at Stone Mountain, NC.

Cheers, John

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Country Boy Can Survive

MLK day is here. Some are off, some are working.
I'd rather be working.
Are you ready to hike, explore, paddle?
Now is the time to prepare.

Cheers !

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Sunday January 16, 2011

Last week I found out that due to the winter slow season I'll not be working but 1 day through the 13th of February. I really do need to be working during this time, so it's back on the street.
I'll see if REI can fit me in.


  Cheers,

John

Saturday, January 15, 2011

10 days in Britain


             10 days in Britain

Do you enjoy travel?
Would you enjoy flying to the UK with 6 to 8 of your paddling friends?
Ever wondered what goes on in an English pub?
Ever had a pint of gravity fed ale ?
Ever stayed in an English bed and breakfast?
Ever had a full English breakfast?
Wondered why fish and chips is so popular in the UK?
Have you ever wondered why the English love their tea so much?
Would you like to see Salisbury, Stonehenge, Old Sarum, Salisbury Cathedral, Swindon, Exeter, Barnstable, Braunton, Ilfracombe, Lea’s Bay, Watermouth Bay, and Morte Hoe, to name a few?
Have you ever seen hanging baskets of flowers that trail to the ground?
Would traveling by rail across England and enjoying the landscape go by be of any interest to any of you?
Would you be interested in seeing gorse flowers covering a hillside with a golden glow?
Have you ever stood on a quay and watched the water lapping against a rock wall and wished to have a kayak to paddle?
Have you ever used a camera?
Do you enjoy stunning scenery?



Do you enjoy paddling in salt water and camping on beaches you never been to before?
Would being at the location of the second highest tides in Europe hold any interest or curiosity?


Are you capable of paddling 10 to 15 miles a day? Have you ever explored a water cave?
Would you be interesting in paddling with several BCU 4 Star coaches and being coached by them for 5 days?
If you are remotely interested in any of the above, I have put together a trip to Britain for 6 to 8 paddlers.
The length of the trip will be 10 days.
We will leave Raleigh Durham airport on the 16th of June and will return on the 26th of June.
I been to this place before and I can vouch for all of our hosts, both on and off the water. The British trains are comfortable, fast, and on time.
I’ve tried to make this trip fun for all, affordable, and memorable .For any inquiries, please contact John Flowers at captcapella@yahoo.com.I plan to set up a meeting for all interested parties as soon as I have 6 to 8 interested paddlers.

Cheers,

John Flowers
10 days in Britain begins on the 16th of June, 2011.

10 days in Britain

I've finished the invitation  for the 10 days in Britain trip.
RDU to London, then to Salisbury, then to Ilfracombe via British Rail.
We'll be guided by Sea Kayaking Southwest for 5 days of paddling and exploring the coast of Devon, England.
We'll explore caves, beaches, cliffs, sea side villages, pubs, and each other for 5 glorious days on the water.
We'll return on the 24th to Ilfracombe for one more night at the George and Dragon, The Bottle of Britain, Spitfire, and then to Reading , Heathrow and then RDU.
I hope you like ale, fish and chips, wine, tea, narrow streets, trains,kayaking, the sea, great people, and a country steeped in history from time immemorial.