• Wednesday-What'sUP January 26 - 08:08 pm

Did you know that kite flying has numerous benefits for your health? It enhances concentration, encourages creative thinking and reduces stress, not to mention the great workout it is when you fly them in the middle of winter, wearing snowshoes! That's just what Brenda Leigh and friends do annually in the western unit of the Hiawatha National Forest in Chippewa County. These gals head out on their snowshoes to Crego Lake, in the middle of nowhere, as Brenda puts it, to enjoy one of only a few recreational activities that is safe, environmentally friendly and doesn't cost a fortune. Sure looks like fun, especially once you have your kite airborne, then comes the relaxing part of just enjoying it soaring through the air. These ladies sure know how to have good time!

My mom used to make kites....she used newspapers, some sort of 'woody' weed, and kitchen twine. They would last forever! Once she made one and it broke loose from the twine and was found about 5 miles away by a cousin who went searching for it. We lived on a hill with few trees so it was ideal for launching kites! ahhh, memories!

I haven't flown kites since a kid in the previous century. Do Box kites still exist? Those were awesome!

I bought a plastic Star Wars kite at a yard sale this summer and flew it at the beach every time we went swimming. It is a great conversation ice breaker and really gets kids to talking. I asked the woman that was selling it 'how much' and she said $2.00! It was unused and I grudenly paid it. She told me I've had it a long time it's an antique! LOL

Janie I've googled kites off & on as a decoration for my home. I found several sites to buy some. And they come in some great designs!Including box kites. You should see the fantastic ones flown at South Prade Island at their Festival just about this time of winter. Got some neat photos then. Wish I could put them on this machine. This ladies' day with kites sound marvelous! We used to fly kites every spring with the kids when they were young. Went out in neighbors farm field and had a ball.

Way to go ladies that looks like fun :)

Kite flying is wonderful!! We fly one from our boat everytime we are anchored on a sandbar. It is wonderful to watch it soar!!

My husband uses a fishing rod and reel to fly a kite.

Isn't it Pakistan where they have kite battles?
It is sort of a national sport. And some kind of
problem has developed with the rivalries such that the government has had to step in and control the crowds. Maybe I should have Googled first and then
wrote the comment?
When I was a kid (previous century, Janie) my older brother built a large box kite. It was impossible for me to handle. Two of us had to hang onto it.

You wanna talk kites, check out the annual kite festival out here on the west coast, at Long Beach. It's AMAZING! You'll see kites that will make you say, "Hmmm... How'd they do that?" Here's a link if you're curious. Check out the little video on the homepage to see a sample of what it looks like.
http://kitefestival.com/kite-festival/

JoAnne
Port Orchard, WA

Nice photos. That's a great idea, flying kites from your boat out in the lake, etc, Norma! I hadn't thought of that one. There are just too many trees in our area to fly a kite.

Kay, great kite info, thanks! Tom, my grandpa built Box kites for us grandkids, but my older brothers were the ones that could fly them, they were built pretty sturdy! They still are close to my heart. Those were good times back in the last century!

I'm glad to see kite flying is still popular in this age of high tech video games and texting.

On the home page photo it looks like the eagle has caught a fish. On closer inspection I see it's the kite.

You can stay in Michigan and still see fantastic
displays of kite flying. Grand Haven State park the
weekend before Memorial Day Weekend every year. Has
to be seen to be believed.

A lot of times a bunch of people fly kites on Belle Isle on the river side. I have seen them fly kites that you swear the person is going to take off with the kite over the river to Canada. One year, Chilly Willy, the penguin balloon, flew the coop from the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade and they found him on the shoreline of Canada. It was strange to see Chilly Willy deflated.LOL

As a kid I flew a kite so high, that you could not see it anymore in the sky.

Kites are great entertainment for all ages, I have one in my vehicle at all times and a spare one at home. I like flying kites because they are something that takes patience to control once they are up a few hundred feet. Once you start flying kites for fun it and you walk out of your house on a windy day you just have to try your skills. On days when there is no wind I try fishing...

I've been a kite flyer for decades and still do it at the Jersey shore. Try flying one at night. It puts a whole new perspective on using all your senses.