So far I've been lucky! She has not noticed as of yet....

We ended up spending the afternoon riding the 4 wheelers on about 55 miles of local 2 tracks and forest roads. Just got home and we are both pretty "spent" after bouncing around for the past 4 hours! The next calm stretch of weather we get I plan to nudge her towards kayaking and we'll see if any sparks fly!

Sounds like a great time, the four wheeling. We have a side by side but with Susan’s back being messed up current I haven’t used it yet this season.
Now the other thing , maybe go with the safety route if you catch any heat. Heck that might even score points!

The absence of the compass has bugged me from day one...and she knows it!

I agree with you on that front papa jack...when you know that the boat traffic is going to be heavy...why go out if you don't have to! We retired about 4 years ago, so we do have some latitude about planning but sometimes it's also fun just to head out and join in the festivities of it all.

I had a little "fun" this morning in the garage while my wife was sipping on her morning coffee...

If you look closely at the foredeck hatch on my wife's kayak pictured above you'll notice the absence of a compass. When she bought that kayak, her first words to me were..."Now I want it to stay "stock"...no accessories please...I know that your first plans will be to tweak it all out like your's...so you have an alternate to go fishing in". Of course this was somewhat in jest...but with a grain of seriousness too. It's been five years and thus far I had honored her request...

Well, what's a retired guy to do after breakfast on a gloomy day...perhaps install that spare compass you've had on hand from the supply box?! Yep...I'm taking a chance but we'll see how "step one" of adding some accessories goes once she notices! She is like a lady version of Sherlock Holmes...nothing get's by her... so by days end I'll probably be apologizing and taking her out for a nice dinner! Unfortunately there will be 4 small holes in the fiberglass hatch cover so I plan to leave it intact and take the flak!

Have a great week ahead!