A BOY NAMED TYLER & A TIPPY CANOE

​by Kurt Zuelsdorf
 
Excitement bubbled from a familiar face as he leapt from the Jeep to lend a helping hand.
 
He's becoming a natural steward to the environment. His enthusiasm for the great outdoors points toward a positive future for us all. Always looking to clean up our waterways Tyler encourages people of all ages by setting a good example. On our kayak quest for manatee in Clam Bayou Gulfport Floorida he continued to impress. He readily went about snatching cups and floating bottles from the water and tossed them into his kayak which he paddles from a kneeling position. The discovery of an egg sack from a fish - well described. The return of a starfish to the bay - a good deed. Hefting and paddling a heavy plank from a sandbar for proper disposal - heroic.  His uncanny outdoor skills and concerns are a good example of what the next generation could be like. Tyler's outdoor education is being encouraged and supported by Jimmy Mason, Tyler's Grand-dad. Weekends filled with outdoor adventures are just what the doctor ordered...thanks Jimmy for the courage and the cookies.
As for a tippy canoe...well it appears to be a bonding recipe for Scharibone family. The best I could figure the ingredients include; 
One helping of good attitude and a loss of balance
2 floating flip-flops, a pinch of sarcasm and a handful of concern from a spouse, and 1 bucket of mud for color
First - mix the ingredients in kayak built for two
Second -  paddle hard and into the wind for 25 minutes
Third - When the time is right (usually when the kids aren't following directions) it's time for the roll-over.  Follow this up by having your spouse jump out of a dry kayak to help. The real flavor comes in the sweet frosting - laughing so hard you can't get back in the kayak
And finally don't be afraid to get creative by falling in or out a few more timesYou'll know the recipe is a success upon completion of the trip by the smiles on the faces, the hand-in-hand and arm-in-arm walk as they head toward their car - wet, muddy & happy.
Try recipe out on your guests this holiday season, it' sure to be a hit.

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