Hi Rick, thanks again for your note. Where did you look up the GEM story? Could you please point me in that direction? Thanks so much, yours, tom

I can't help myself, I had to lookup the story of the GEM. The history of river running is fascinating for me. I would bet that you have spent some time on Southwestern rivers? I spent my early river running days in the Northwest and Central Idaho. No wooden boats then just big rafts, kayaks and open 1-man canoes. However my later day river running has been in pursuit of fish. I didn't say catching, just pursuing. Some days I can catch some but I spend a lot of time behind the oars as my fishing partner fishes. So it goes. However my interest in Wooden boats may lead me back to Central Idaho. time will tell, the desire is there, the money isn't and I have two boats to finish. the Lazarus as someone suggested you can see on these pages. The other hasn't been started but the parts await me in the garage. Now I just need to make enough space to get in the garage as well as work there.


I received great welcomes from other members of this site and I feel it is important to welcome others in a similar fashion. Welcome aboard.