Newsletter: May 2006

www.bluem Web: oun m tai e.co no lin ut on fi pa tt @ er in s Blue Mountain Outfitters ta .n BMO un 103 S. State Road e o t em blu P il: (Rts. 11 & 15) ho -ma ne: 4 E 717- 7-007 Marysville, PA 17053 957-2413 Fax: 717-95 Happy ! Although it seems like we really didn’t have winter this year, we’re still excited to welcome Spring and the start (or continuation?) of a new Year! Welcome back to our current subscribers, and to our new ones…we’re excited to have you aboard! BMO

Finally…Cupholders BMO Gallery Wilkes Barre Dam that work! A couple years ago our good friend Update Doug’s been on a quest for years to Tim Lawson (fellow paddler and In our latest newsletter we alerted find a -friendly cupholder, and professional photographer) sent us you to a dam proposed to be has finally found it (kind of like the a framed photograph captioned the constructed on the Susquehanna Holy Grail). The Liquid Caddy comes “BMO Gallery of Fine Art”. This has at Wilkes Barre, and asked with a myriad of mounting options been followed by several others, and for your help in fighting it. Thank’s and will transfer from canoe thwart Photo by: Tim Lawson to all of you who stepped up and to chair frame, to bicycle, wrote letters. A public beach umbrella, picnic table, golf hearing was held on May cart…you get the idea. We even saw 1st. You can still voice several camo-clad guys cruising the your opposition to this recent Eastern Outdoor Show with project during a second one on each side of their belts…these (highly unusual…makes guys were PREPARED! The bottom us wonder) comment pops down to accommodate tall period that has been containers, and there’s a clever, posted for March 13 hard-to-describe interior “dial” – May 15, see details at adjustment that grips cans and bottles of all shapes and sizes to keep them the website below; your intact in the rough stuff. (Attention letters will definitely Duckheads: The “Bloody Mary” will count. This issue has come equipped with these in time for been featured recently in both “Canoe & ” your next Wye Island Race!) BMO and “Paddler” magazines, and needs your help! The Southern Comfort with his blessing, we’d like to share Susquehanna and all its inhabitants Those of you who purchased them with you. thank you! Systems Tarpon sit- on-tops or Mad River Adventure Tim, an old school Address your letters to: prior to this year, and wish kayaker and tandem canoe paddler, District Engineer you’d waited to get the new models recently added a Wenonah Encounter U.S. Army Corps of Engineers featuring padded seatbacks, don’t to his fleet and has become hooked Baltimore District despair! Our suppliers South of on solo , particularly in the State College Field Office the Border (Carolina, that is) have Adirondacks. His photographs of 1631 South Atherton Street upgrade pad kits available that will this Paddling Mecca are stunning, State College, PA 16801 easily attach to your existing seatback and we’re excited to share them and get you stylin’ with the rest of with you. Look for more to come in For more information: the folks. In stock and ready to go! future issues! BMO http://home3.netcarrier.com/ BMO BMO ~susquehanna/

BMO News ~ Page 1 The Dark Side first title “Girls at Play” was aimed Just In…Tilley Hats! primarily at established boaters; this Want the ultimate in head one will be helpful for those just A couple years ago Mary was and face protection with the look starting. Look for a lot more gals on perusing the Eastern Outdoor Show of Darth Vader? Enter the LecTor the water after this! in Lake Placid and checked out ProTektor from Shred Ready; the Tilley Endurable Hats. Top notch ultimate Creeking helmet, with “This is the Sea Two” Anyone who product, but not sure it would be a breakaway mouth and nose guards. thinks touring paddling is boring had fit in our store. The rep had enough (Straight jacket not included.) better check out this new DVD from confidence in us that he gave her a Dinner, anyone? BMO Justine Curgenven and Cackle TV hat, and said he was sure she’d come back. Well, it’s been two Darth Eric. Photo by: Mary (Love that name!) Follow up to “This is the Sea” years, and many customers asking (didn’t guess that, did ya!) for Tilleys (which we didn’t have) this is over 90 minutes of so we’ve finally made the leap, and edge-of-your-seat sea we think it’s a great one! action that will give whitewater a run for These hats are as indestructible as its money. they get (have you ever bought another hat that came with a Just out from Heliconia lifetime warranty? And if that Press are three new doesn’t convince you, can you think books; “Sea Kayaking of any other hat that would survive – The Essensials”, being eaten, and eliminated, by “”, and an elephant…true story, from an “Recreational Kayaking”. elephant trainer!) Enough said! It’s not just about They all include a little Velcro whitewater anymore! pocket in the crown for your contact info., along with anything else you New since our last want to include (Mary’s always newsletter (I think… has enough money for a round in timelines are getting case we find a riverside , and blurry) is the long-awaited everyone’s wallet is at the takeout.) DVD’s, Books, and “Susquehanna River West Branch AND, this year they’ve introduced River Guides Water Trail Map”, which joins the a Hemp Hat…cool, indestructible, and…well, we’ll leave the rest up In addition to the new Jacksons Middle & Lower section maps to give to you! BMO listed in the “Sweeeet” article, us 335 miles of mapped Susquehanna Spring brings us a host of other great paddling. Still coming, Mary in her Tilley. Photo by: Doug instructional DVD’s and reading the North Branch, material to keep us going on and off and Juniata River. the water: For bird lovers (and “Solo Open ” believe me, after Veteran whitewater paddler and visiting some of these instructor Tom Foster has put together places if you aren’t almost two hours of detailed open one already, you’ll get boat WW playboating instruction hooked!) Audubon with something for everyone, from Pennsylvania brings beginners to advanced paddlers. If us the “Susquehanna you already open boat, or River Birding and aspire to join the “single bladers” Wildlife Trail”, a this is a must have DVD! stunningly illustrated guide to over 200 “ Basics for bird and wildlife Women” Before “girls night out”, sites, trails and scenic check out “girls day out…on the drives along the water” with Anna Levesque’s second Susquehanna River women’s paddling DVD. Anna’s corridor. BMO BMO News ~ Page 2 Eat, Drink and Be Sweeeet!!! Feel the need for speed? Or looking to go after the gold for the Red, Merry Jackson continues to get happier, White and Blue? Coming soon Aside from boats, nothing gets our with their newest piece of outfitting, to a Jackson Dealer near you, the attention quite as much as FOOD! Sweet Cheeks! Standard in all adult Ricochet…3.5 meters of pure, Slalom size 2006 whitewater , this Here’s a few “camp kitchen” goodies Speed & Fun! BMO we found recently: amazing breakthrough is also ideal for any whitewater, touring or rec Canoe Paddling… Coleman brings us a nifty little kayak, upping the comfort factor for folding table, the “Exponent all. Basically an adjustable “beanbag” Sort Of Backpacker’s Table & Gear System” type seat cushion, Sweet (whew!, long name!) Made to strap Cheeks allows you to around a tree, this light but sturdy custom fit your kayak table will hold your cooking gear seat to YOUR seat. at a comfortable level; no more Snuggle in, re-arrange hunkering down over the ground (a those magic little beads, task that gets harder as the years go and say “ahhh”. As in by, and usually involves Poison Ivy… “ahhh, that feels good!” Mary can attest to that.) Looking Supports you on the at our typical island campouts, Erik back, sides, and legs, immediately envisioned each of and also allows height us buying one, then setting up a adjustment. What buffet…Hor-d’Oeuvre tree, main could make us happier? dish tree, cocktail tree, desert tree, Hmmmm…we’ll just and River Bamboo coffee & tea tree; the possibilities are have to wait and see what EJ & Co. Photo of and by: Topher Reynolds come up with next! as endless as the participants! Solo canoe paddlers new to the sport often come to us Speaking of which, also new at After years of experimenting with frustrated with trying to keep Jackson for 2006 is Boat Rome Industries Pie Irons (the debate their boat tracking, and wonder Outfitting, arguably the stiffest continues, round or square, but we if it’s “okay” to try a kayak on the market. Held up to EJ’s all agree, cast iron) we tried their paddle. At the risk of being Landcruiser (okay, most folks put cast iron Wilderness Hamburger Grill drawn, quartered, and hung their boats on top of their vehicles, last summer and fell in love with it. out to dry by the traditionalists, not vice a versa, but it did prove Kid tested and mother approved! the answer is, yes! Must be a point!); it should hold up to Not just for hamburgers, this baby catching on, because Bending whatever you can dish out to it. Also makes grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, Branches introduced a paddle out is their new promo video, with you name it, as easy as, well, pie! this year just for that purpose, an in-depth product tutorial and Another item that caught our eye was the Sun Shadow Solo. Two sizes lots of fun on-water footage. Free their Pioneer Adjustable Grill; swivels (one long enough for even the with all 2006 boat purchases, it’s left to right, up and down, in and widest canoe) it’s an eye-catcher also available to view at all Jackson out (kind of like the Hokey Pokey) as well; might even get those dealers. And coming soon, revised, Erik liked it so much it went on his traditionalists drooling! Christmas List. And here’s a hint for improved “Playboating Basics” and “Advanced Playboating” DVD’s; in blueberry or cherry mountain pie And, for the ever-growing the meantime, grab a deal on the lovers…try adding whipped cream canoe poling crowd (Topher has originals…only $19.95 while they cheese…Yum! gathered quite a following here!) last. Cool-It with a Cozie a couple new poles to add to As a rule we try to stick with cans for the home-made ones. Foxworks our Island Camping beverages, but offers a laminated wood pole sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a cold, (in keeping with their fine local Microbrew, and our favorite, canoe & kayak ) for the Tröegs, comes in bottles only. SO, traditionalists who want to step to keep those babies cold (as well as up from the “closet pole”, and water bottles for on-water time) we Scotland’s Lendal offers a canoe brought in a new neoprene Bottle pole version of their popular Cozie to go with our Can Cozies. Paddlok kayak paddle in both Cool! BMO Fiberglass and Carbon fiber. BMO

BMO News ~ Page 3 Laid Back Comfort Happy New Year! Through the years we’ve tried a Okay, we know it’s already over, but had to update you on our latest Annual myriad of camping chairs and have New Years Float (on the Susquehanna this year, since it wasn’t frozen). 18-1⁄2 found many we liked, but Kris kept paddlers (Steph was pregnant) turned out at the Crack of Noon (well, okay, shaking his head and telling us they 2 pm) to celebrate 2006 in our traditional way, on the river, in a combination just didn’t compare with the one of solos, tandems, and (of course!) the Bloody Mary War Canoe. Even more he’s used (and abused) for years. special, this was the first Duckhead trip of the (calendar) year! BMO We’ve seen it in action and tended to agree, but it wasn’t available any longer. Good news! Crazy Creek (of “Don’t just do something, Sit There!” fame) has purchased rights to the BMO Gang original, and is resurrecting it as the NYD 2006. “CradleLounger”. Our first shipment Photo by: was half spoken for by our staff, but Topher there’s still plenty to go around. BMO Reynolds

Sit on It! Break out the Margaritas and bring on the Flamingos! Sit-on-tops have come into their own, and BMO is creating a “boardwalk” area to Contest: No Gimmicks, No feature them. From to Name that Disaster Hype, Just Fluid to just plain hanging out in the sun, Those of you who know the Welcome to BMO’s newest WW these boats are just going to get more notorious Pat Reilly, River Rat kayak line, Fluid. In addition to and more popular. Check them out! Extraordinaire, will not be surprised playboats in three sizes (S, M, & L We recently received the nicest by the following photo; he didn’t Flirts…Doug definitely fits the last really think it was necessary to tie category, as a flirt, that is!), South his boat up after finishing a training Africa’s Fluid includes two creek run, but Mother Nature had other boats: the Small Solo, a great creeker things in mind. So…for future for paddlers from 100-230 lbs.; reference, this is what happens and the Large, which will handle a when an unmanned kayak runs the paddler up to 275 lbs. The Large Dock Street Dam. A $25 BMO Gift Solo is also available in an Expedition Certificate goes to the writer of the model, with a sealed stern storage best caption for this photo. Also, an compartment for multi-day trips and additional $50 bounty (in the form WW expeditions. Exciting for parents of a BMO Gift Certificate) goes to who aren’t sure about introducing looking recreational/touring sit-on- the paddler who can retrieve and their kids quite yet to a full-on WW top that any of our staff has seen return the remaining piece of the boat, the Vaya is a forgiving kids sit- to date…the Current Designs Kestrel puzzle…the bow, probably located on-top that will let the tots test the 140 SOT constructed with CD’s somewhere between Harrisburg and waters, flat or moving, with little Composite Hybrid layup. How does BMO the Chesapeake! investment. BMO 36 pounds sound for a 14 foot sit- http://www.fluidkayaks.com/ on-top? We wanted to write a note Name That Disaster. Photo by: Kris telling you to come in and check it out, but, within two days of putting River Cleanup it on display, it sold and went out Mark your calendars for th the door. We have more on order September 16 (seems like a but we have a sneaky suspicion (not long ways away, but if the based on word from Current Designs summer goes as fast as the - just our feelings) that demand for winter did, it’s just around this very nice boat will out-pace the the corner!) BMO will be production rate. We’ll keep you partnering once again with posted. BMO the GVP Chapter of the Sierra Club for their annual

BMO News ~ Page 4 (continued from page 4) Susquehanna River Cleanup. (We provide boats and shuttle, they do the work; I think we’re getting off easy on this one!) If you’d like to volunteer or provide support in any other way (food, garbage bags, donations, etc.) contact Jack Flatley at [email protected] or 717 921-2708. BMO Thanks! That’s it for now, just wanted to thank all of you for hanging out with us, and (once again…just have to throw this in!) if you are receiving this newsletter by mail, Please, Pease, Please give us an E-mail address so we can cut down on paper, time, and postage in getting it to you. Thanks! Hope to see you at the shop and on the Water! The BMO Crew BMO DEMO DAY Paddle - Pedal - Pole - Play Test the Latest Canoes and Kayaks

! Paddle your choice of craft -- discover the differences that words cannot explain. ! Pedale the Hobie MirageDrive® -- put those big muscles to work and free-up your hands. ! Pole canoes from the standing position -- get a better view of the world. ! Play till your hearts content -- the explicit purpose of whitewater boats. SUNDAY MAY 21, 2006 NOON - 5:00 PM MARYSVILLE LIONS CLUB POND

Factory representatives for many of our product lines will be available to show their wares and answer your questions .

DIRECTIONS: From I-81 take Exit 65 & follow Rts. 11&15 North into Marysville. 1.6 miles north of I-81 turn left onto Park St.; it's immediately before Specialty Bakers. From the north, follow Rts. 11&15 South to Marysville. 0.4 miles south of Blue Mountain Outfitters, turn right onto Park St.; it's immediately after Specialty Bakers. Behind Specialty Bakers and just past the swimming pool is an unpaved road that bears off to the right at a narrow angle. Follow this road downhill to the pond. There will be signs to point the way. Questions? Please wear old footwear Call Blue Mountain Outfitters and plan to get wet! at (717) 957-2413 or check our web site at Hope to see you there! www.bluemountainoutfitters.net

Copyright© 2006 Blue Mountain Outfitters, Inc. All rights reserved. Prices and specifications are subject to correction and change without notice.

BMO News ~ Page 5