A really big stove and the legend of the Ripster

[memaquay]

For those of you who have been around Canoetripping for a while, no explanation is needed for the Ripster legend. What you probably don't know is the impact that story has had on my life. Everyone who comes to my house, and there are a lot of folks who pass through, always ask about Brad's Spam trophy and the Special Awards Plaque, and that leads to a long story about the Ripster.

Last night was my third wedding anniversary. We have a local welder who is quite skilled in making unique things. Irene ordered this very special fire pit, and surprised me with it.


One side had the logo for our rock band cut out, very appropriate with the flames coming through.


The next side had some generic camping designs to warm the heart.


A nice canoe - fishing scene.

And finally, my favorite side, that really blew me away, the Ripster side!


For Non-Canadians, Klik is the Canadian equivalent of Spam.

Thanks again to Rippy and Robin for making that hugely entertaining contest happen, and to everyone else who participated. If you stop by my house this year, you can help me finish off a few Bud lites around the Ripster pit.

 

[Robin]

Very nice, that guy has some talent.

 

[Guest]

Mem, that is one awesome fire pit. Kudo’s to Irene’s selection of illuminated cut outs!

Best I could do here is a stainless steel Coca Cola barrel with the top third cut off lengthwise to make a long U trough. Crude, but very effective with the bunghole left open at the bottom for airflow.

BTW, Coca Cola used some serious stainless steel in their barrels. That thing has been outside for 20+ years and shows not a speck of rust.

 

[Boatman53]

That is a great fire pit, and tying in the Ripster is perfect.
I get a smile on my face just thinking about that thread.
Jim

 

[Iskweo]

Hahahaha...too cool.

 

[Canotrouge]

Too cool!!

 

[Guest]

Thanks again to Rippy and Robin for making that hugely entertaining contest happen, and to everyone else who participated. If you stop by my house this year, you can help me finish off a few Bud lites around the Ripster pit.

If that ever comes to pass I’ll bring a thirst and some hippy beer in brown bottles.

I get a smile on my face just thinking about that thread.

Me too. That was one of the funnest threads ever on a paddling board, going back to the unmoderated list serve days of rec.boats.paddle*.

I hope that raffle riff can be done again this fall or when financial support is needed.

*Rec.boats.paddle had some truly memorable contributors. This archived post from Riverman may be my favorite, and deserves its lasting notoriety.

http://www.angelfire.com/bc/rbp/joke/riverman.htm

 

[memaquay]

Wow, well he did promise to flame anyone who picked a number that was already chosen. That's a whole lot of work though, flaming someone that hard. Mike, Hippy beers are welcome around the fire pit. There are a bunch of pretentious fops who think they are my friends, and they drink hippy beer every time they visit me, trying to get me to drink the horrible horse piss with them, so that they can make me a member of their smug-faced specialty mail order beer dance- master club, but I resolutely refuse on the grounds that it tastes like chunky urine. They call me a rube, and a pleb, but in the morning when the foppish lightweights are barfing their guts out because they drank three "Northern Loggers" from the Sleeping Giant Brewery Company, I'm starting up the chainsaw, after having pushed back a couple of dozen bud lites and a pack of smokes. Beer-osexuals, that's what those wannabes are.

 

[dave0]

Well Mem, first off beautiful fire place! If I passed your way I would bring my personal draft, that being Natural Ice, yes indeed the nector of the gods IMO. I am no fan of those high falutin, heavy arsed ales that do nothing more then slide down your throat like something outta a full spitton. Nope, I like the crisp, clear taste of cheap adults beverages! Here's one to you and your bride, your anniversary and the new fire place!

dougd

 

[yellowcanoe]

Where is Rippy? He's one of the missing I think of often.. That is a bodacious fire pit Mem.. Sacrifice the house in a forest fire but run with that!
I'm a fan of heavy arsed ales but two would indeed put me in the pit. There is a reason for pee...uh Bud Lite

 

[Jim Dodd]

Too cool!!

Three COOL !!!

 

[Robin]

I wish I had the knack for words, but to see this says alot....Thanks to all those who have made Canoetripping a nice place to visit...

 

[stripperguy]

Just when I thought the legend of Rippy couldn't get any better!!
Congrats on the anniversary, and hang on to that lady...

 

[southcove]

That is so cool and thoughtful...nice!

I see the genesis of another thread here - what is the best gift you ever gave (keeping the 'canoeing & camping theme) or ever received?

 

[yellowcanoe]

That is so cool and thoughtful...nice!

I see the genesis of another thread here - what is the best gift you ever gave (keeping the 'canoeing & camping theme) or ever received?

On another forum before Christmas we gave unwanted gear to someone who wanted it. Usually it was stuff in the fifty dollar range..Sometimes less. Kind of pay it forward . I think it would be neat to do here with the recipient donating whatever they thought the value was worth to Canoetripping.

I got a very nice headlamp and donated a waterproof fanny pack that just didn't fit my needs.

 

[Iskweo]

A gear swap would be neat yeah. I bet a lot of us have some really cool stuff that we no longer use or need. The bestest thing I have acquired lately was a Coghlans folding saw that I got from Bothwell two years ago at Fort White. I have several packs and frames and such too.

 

[latremorej]

I can only repeat what everyone else has said, congrats on your anniversary and what a nice gift. Very thoughtful. It is hard to shop for someone who already has everything

Jason

 

[Odyssey]

Geeze mem, that's gotta be the coolest thing I've ever seen! A personalized fire pit!
Happy anniversary you two.