Fish Creek Kite Company

Every time I drove to the Door County YMCA, I would pass by a kite store. It brought back memories of traveling to Cape Cod with my family as a child. The one thing that has always stuck in my head, besides the release of "Jaws", was Dad spending time in a kite shop selecting just the right kite.

I was curious and always intended to stop, but put it off until later. Well, later finally came. I stopped in the Fish Creek Kite Company and was accosted by colored wings, banners, flags and kite trick videos. It was overwhelmingly fascinating. I had to be really cognizant of my wallet because it was easy to get wrapped up in all that was available.

The shop owner had been in business for 35 years. Definitely a kite nut, he has a lengthy mailing list of other kite nuts ranging from kids to neurosurgeons. A PT Cruiser in the parking lot attested to his passion.

He shared a new design that is intended to fly inside. That's right, no wind. Just a yank on the strings and it is in the air. Completely a trick kite, outdoor multi-string experience is highly recommended. I was intrigued and very tempted to buy an indoor kite for school. But, the pro talked me out of it because the material is so light weight and susceptible to tears.

But, I did find a toy called the X-Zylo. It was a contraption that John had mentioned to me on the sailboat. It looks like a piece of manufactured bulletin board border make out of plastic. It is in a loop with a 3-4 inch diameter. With one throw of the arm, it can travel up to 600 feet. It is like a football without the struggle of finding a grip. Can't wait to try them at school.