Charest Family on the Web Posts

A view of Ron Charest's homebuilt cart for a Native Watercraft Slayer Max Ten kayak.
Licensed CC-BY-NC
Homebuilt Dolly for Native Watercraft Slayer Max Ten Propel Kayaks

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

I enjoy my Native Watercraft Slayer Max Ten Propel kayak, once it’s on the water. Getting it in the water, and out again, is a problem. Although it’s only ten feet long, it’s wide (for a kayak), and weighs about 95 pounds with the pedal drive unit loaded. I’m already resigned to using a trailer instead of car-topping it. But, moving the kayak around is another problem.

After trying out some commercial kayak carts that didn’t work out, I designed and built my own. I ended up with a cart that weighs 9-1/2 pounds, and costs about $100 in parts. This is my “How-To” building a Native Watercraft kayak cart.

How-To

On The Road to Damascus

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Last week Winnie and I took a two-night RV trip up to Damascus, Virginia, and rode our bikes. The ride, on the Virginia Creeper Trail, was on one of the most beautiful “Rail-to-Trail” lines I’ve seen. It also was the longest one-day bike ride I’ve made. Winnie and I ended up a bit sore afterwards, but it was well worth the trip.

Family Stories

A Brand New Toy - Trophy 126 Fishing Kayak
The Trophy 126 Recreation/Fishing Kayak

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

My first kayak was a Trophy 126 fishing/recreation kayak. I didn’t know anything about kayaks at the time, but this was advertised as an “easy learner,” and had the added advantage of included fishing rod holders. So, we (Winnie and I) bought it and started our love affair with kayaking.

I hadn’t done a review on this boat as the original manufacturer went out of business a few years after I bought it. But, I recently discovered that a new company is manufacturing this same boat, still with the “Trophy 126” model name. So, here is my long-overdue review.

On The Water Reviews

This and That Mad Hatter Cartoon celebrating Ron Charest's senior retirement
This and That In Retirement

And the days go by, one at a time. I’m not in the “another day’s useless journey spent” as per “Days of Future Passed.” I am into learning one day at a time how to be really retired. How to schedule my time, focus on what is important for any given day, and work on little projects that before, I’ve always felt too rushed to do.

Most importantly, after working and earning my own money since I was thirteen, I’m in a position to do things that are fun. This is perhaps the best thing I can learn.

Family Stories

Ron wearing an orange coat and beige headcover, holding a snow shovel, standing in snow next to a white Jeep Cherokee.
Ron Having Fun in the Snow

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

This past weekend our lovely Queens City of Charlotte had a close encounter with winter. Being a nominally “southern city,” this is not the place people expect to see snow. As a matter of record, Winnie and I chose to retire here partially based on believing we’d see less wintery stuff than in Woodbridge, Virginia.

However, snow has now come to Charlotte. It’s not nearly as exciting as that may sound.

Family Stories

My New Garage Workshop
My Garage Workshop

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Being an officially a retired person conferrs a lot of free time. Which means I no longer have excuses reasons for not doing a lot of projects I’ve been putting off for, well, most of my adult life.

One particular project is building my home workshop. After fits and starts and early iterations in previous homes I’ve lived in, I’m finally building my dream workshop.

Family Stories

Trans-Siberian Orchestra cover of their "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" album
Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Today is another Christmas. A day that rolls around once each year to remind us of peace and joy and goodwill to all mankind. Also another day to gather with family and friends to exchange gifts, eat, drink, and have lots of family fights… No scratch that “family fights” stuff…

Anyway, since I’m still not feeling inspired to write much, I thought to share a bit of Christmas holiday music from one of my favorite groups.

Just For Fun

The Good The Bad and The Ugly movie poster
The Good The Bad and The Ugly

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I’ve been in a state of transition over these past several months since retirement. One result has been my complete inability to write anything in this humble blog. Not because there’s nothing going on, but because there’s too much. These times overwhelm me with the relentless pounding of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

So, in an effort to break out of my writer’s block I’ve decided to reflect with a bit of music for these times.

Just For Fun

Farmer riding a tractor. Trump supporting family farmers are losing their farms, but no sympathy for them. Photo by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels.com
Our American Farmers

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

I recently answered another Quora question that has received pretty strong positive response. This question related to farmers who are now facing foreclosures and loss of their farms due to Trumpian policies. The kicker, of course, is that Trump swept most rural communities in his 2024 election victory.

My answer is pretty harsh against a community of professionals I once had great respect for. Such is the life in Trump’s America.

Opinions & Commentary Quora Re-Posts

man in black jacket wearing black headphones. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com. Celebrating Retirement
Celebrating Retirement

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

And so, it finally happened. After over a year of false starts and running up a down escalator. Last week, Friday August 29, my office held a small but pleasant retirement ceremony for me, then I was gone.

I am now officially retired from full time work and back home in Charlotte. I guess, let the fun begin?

Family Stories