A part of the wakeboarding life that makes it something that I love to do isn't just getting out on the water and riding. Granted, its a great time and that's probably the best part of it, there is still so much more involved that makes it the thing I look forward to ever summer. It feels so good to get away to the lake all weekend with no phone, tv, or computer.
Throw up the tent, build a fire, have some drinks (only if you're 21 of course), and listen to some good tunes while you lounge around in some lawn chairs. That's what's good about the wakeboarding lifestyle. Don't have to worry about a thing for as long as you're at the lake. As long as the cooler is stocked and you don't have a sun burn yet, all is good. Life is easy, shower if you want to, I mean you're in the water all day, it's not really necessary right? Girls don't have to worry about makeup or their hair, its all going to be ruined after one session. The only worry on people's mind is making that ridiculously expensive gas last as long as we can.
This is killing me to write this when I still have a month to wait so I'm gonna wrap this up. Make sure to take a weekend off this summer and get out to lake, boat or not, you can still have the lifestyle and just lay out by the water. If you're lucky, you might even be able to hitch a pull off someone, might cost ya a beer or two but that's worth it, right?
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Water....
Eastern Montana is a different world compared to it's western counterpart. The landscape is just a shade different. Western Montana is covered with mountains, forests, and lakes everywhere you look. Eastern Montana...not so much. We have a lot of rolling hills, sparatic tree placement and as far as the lakes go...there just isn't a whole lot of lakes in the area and the ones we do have, aren't world class. We definitely make due with what we have and don't complain about it but it's definately not the same caliber of water as the western half of Montana is working with.
To give you an idea of what I'm talking about. When out of staters think of Montana, most of them probably think of what we see in the western half of the state. Mountains, trees, lakes, creeks, rivers, really green foliage, etc....well that's not so much the case in the eastern half.
Not like I'm complaining by any means, because like I said in other posts, as long as I'm on a boat with some friends it doesn't really matter where I am. We have some cool lakes over there, Big Horn Canyon/Yellowtail Dam, call it what you want, is a very pretty lake with steep cliffs lining the entire canyon. Only downside is that there isn't really a shoreline so once you go out, you stay out, and when the wind picks up, watch out...it tears down the canyon hard.
Our usual spot is Tongue River Reservoir or the TRD (Turd) as we call it. It's a pretty good little spot. The reservoir is pretty big but it can get miserably hot there and believe me, that picture is generous for the amount of trees there. We always joke that the only shade at the TRD is behind someone facing the sun. So bring your sunscreen and plenty to drink because its going to be hot. So if you want a tan (or a 3rd degree burn) the Tongue is your place. Mid July is usually good for 100 plus degree days. Be sure to have a well stocked cooler when making the trip, you'll be happy you did.
These definately work and give us an excuse to get out on the lake and have some fun but they don't quite compare to the lakes found over here around Missoula and Kalispell. Lakes like Flathead and Seeley are probably more what people are thinking when they hear about Montana lakes. So if anyone wants to check out a different part of Montana and come visit the desert/plains half. Swing on in and go take a session at the TRD or Yellowtail, just be ready to be hot and in the sun a lot. Regardless, it's going to be a great time, it's summer afterall, what is there to be worried about?
Most of the pictures that you'll find at the top of this blog were taken at either the Tongue, Yellowtail, or Seeley most likely.
To give you an idea of what I'm talking about. When out of staters think of Montana, most of them probably think of what we see in the western half of the state. Mountains, trees, lakes, creeks, rivers, really green foliage, etc....well that's not so much the case in the eastern half.
Not like I'm complaining by any means, because like I said in other posts, as long as I'm on a boat with some friends it doesn't really matter where I am. We have some cool lakes over there, Big Horn Canyon/Yellowtail Dam, call it what you want, is a very pretty lake with steep cliffs lining the entire canyon. Only downside is that there isn't really a shoreline so once you go out, you stay out, and when the wind picks up, watch out...it tears down the canyon hard.
Our usual spot is Tongue River Reservoir or the TRD (Turd) as we call it. It's a pretty good little spot. The reservoir is pretty big but it can get miserably hot there and believe me, that picture is generous for the amount of trees there. We always joke that the only shade at the TRD is behind someone facing the sun. So bring your sunscreen and plenty to drink because its going to be hot. So if you want a tan (or a 3rd degree burn) the Tongue is your place. Mid July is usually good for 100 plus degree days. Be sure to have a well stocked cooler when making the trip, you'll be happy you did.
These definately work and give us an excuse to get out on the lake and have some fun but they don't quite compare to the lakes found over here around Missoula and Kalispell. Lakes like Flathead and Seeley are probably more what people are thinking when they hear about Montana lakes. So if anyone wants to check out a different part of Montana and come visit the desert/plains half. Swing on in and go take a session at the TRD or Yellowtail, just be ready to be hot and in the sun a lot. Regardless, it's going to be a great time, it's summer afterall, what is there to be worried about?
Most of the pictures that you'll find at the top of this blog were taken at either the Tongue, Yellowtail, or Seeley most likely.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Motorboatin....
So I was bored in a class the other day and started browsing the net looking for anything interesting. Went and checked out Malibuboats.com and gave their Build-A-Boat a little try. If there is anyone out there interested in skiing or wakeboarding and want to buy a boat, steer clear of this if you're as broke as I am. You can put together a sweet, custom boat just the way you want it which turns out to cost a cool dollar when its all said and done. Check out mine if you want, if only I had an extra $60k laying around. If there's anyone that wants to donate to a good cause. I'll set up an account for Chris's Build-A-Boat Charity and I'll accept cash, check, or all major credit cards....I wish.
In the mean time I'll work with what's available to me, which isn't too bad at all. It's a 2005 Mastercraft X-9 and it does the trick. I'll take anything that works on water and goes fast enough for me to stand up behind it. Anything that can get me out to the lake with a good group of people and allow me to get a couple runs in will keep me a happy camper.
In case anyone was wondering or cares as much as I do....4 weeks til summer, 6 til boating season finally hits Montana.
In the mean time I'll work with what's available to me, which isn't too bad at all. It's a 2005 Mastercraft X-9 and it does the trick. I'll take anything that works on water and goes fast enough for me to stand up behind it. Anything that can get me out to the lake with a good group of people and allow me to get a couple runs in will keep me a happy camper.
In case anyone was wondering or cares as much as I do....4 weeks til summer, 6 til boating season finally hits Montana.
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