"Frederick Burroughs" wrote in message
...
Chris Guynn wrote:


Have you ever considered strapping a tank to your back and checking out
what
the surface of the water looks like from the other side? You might be
amazed. I've got limited kayaking experience, but I'd much rather swim
with
the fishes.


Never had the pleasure, largely because I don't get the chance.
Closest I got was snorkling in Key West. The rivers where I live are
very low volume, as in knee deep at best during the summer. Canoe and
kayak are best suited for the local aquatic niche. Scuba classes are
held in some of the local abandoned rock quarries, all on private
land. Much of the river banks snuggle up to National Forest, open to
public use and camping. So, I take advantage of what's in my backyard.
I can be on either the North or South Fork of the Shenandoah River
within 10 minutes from my home.

I lived within 15 minutes of the headwaters of the Nantahala in NC. I
enjoyed my limited kayaking, but I'd still rather travel farther to watch
the fish in their natural habitat. :-)