The Jackal Winter

Whenever I tell someone I'm part of a floating society most people think that we go on a couple of float trips in the summer, come up with a t-shirt, and that's as far as it goes. This belief couldn't be further from the truth. One doesn't just decide that they want to go on a kick ass float trip by getting in the truck, driving to the creek, and pointing their boat downstream. While this has resulted some good times, the real trips are a product of long winters of longing for the water and figuring out just how you are going to top last year. There is so much more than deciding which rivers we are going to take. The anticipation that builds during the off season is what creates the energy that the Jackals bring on the water.

The Man-Barn is a wellspring of ideas for summer float trips. Aside from what the newest Jackal attire is going to look like, one of the favorites has been determining what weapon we will bring. Last year the blade was featured as the centerpiece of the float trips with machetes and a folding saw being the Jackal favorites. Through serious consideration it was decided that the tomahawk should be the Jackal symbol for 2011. A Native American weapon for striking fear into the enemy and versatile tool, it was a natural fit. During the planning process the Jackals decided that these should be a product of their own two hands. In December the plan was put into motion and blanks were cut out so that each Jackal could shape them to their desired specifications. In January the hoard gathered once again and heat treated the tomahawks in a cinder block forge constructed outside the Man-Barn. Recently I was able to put the finishing touch on two tomahawks by wrapping the handles and putting the final edge on the blade. I took a picture and posted it here to share our handiwork with the readers. We have big plans for the 2011 float season and hope that everyone has a chance to make it on some trips with us, whether you have a tomahawk or not.