I did not mean to imply that the person with the NC Expedition was rude. I was simply making a whimsical comment on speed of the boat and the paddler. He was young and in excellent condition, and was practicing for an 88-mile race. We exchanged cell phone numbers and will probably get together to paddle in the future. As the owners of probably the two most expensive kayaks on our lake, we recognized each other as somewhat more advanced paddlers.

Unlike along the Northwest Coast, most paddlers around here think that spending more than $1000 for a kayak is pretty extravagant. Most paddlers in my area use their kayaks to 'float' rocky streams as well as paddle in lakes. The majority of the kayaks on Lake Springfield are the low-end rotomolded variety such as sold be Dick's Sporting Goods. Nothing wrong with these boats as some owners eventually move up to more advanced kayaks, as I did.