KAYAK

 I'd been without a kayak for far too long, and was having withdrawals. My main concern with purchasing a kayak, was how to transport it to and from the water. When I had my Explorer, I just threw the kayak in the back and tied the hatch down. Now I drive a RAV4. The only way to transport a kayak on this vehicle is on the roof. I stand 5 feet tall and I'm not very strong. There is no way I can pick up a kayak and hoist it onto the roof.

After doing a little research, I found a way to do it...so I bought a sit inside kayak. It took a little practice, but I can get it done pretty easy now. 

I use the foam pads that attach to cross bars.

I then take the kayak cart and tie it to the back. It has to be tied tight so it doesn't move around.

An old rug is put under the nose of the kayak, so it doesn't get scuffed on a rough surface. A tether connects the back end of the kayak to the bumper, to keep the kayak from sliding when the free end is lifted to the vehicle. I made a rope the perfect length with a carabiner on each end, to make the process quick.

The free end is lifted up and laid on the cart. The wheels on the cart are going to guide the kayak in place as I pick up the tethered end and push the kayak up and it lays on the pads.

I secure the kayak with cam tie-down straps.

Remove the tether and kayak cart, and I'm ready to go. On my paddle today, I saw a beaver. Yes, you read that right. I saw a beaver in the waters of Lubbock, Texas. It was so quick, I could not get a picture. To some, that just means IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I need to get my GoPro mounted before my next adventure!