Hey all,
Since I started flip flopping and trying to reschedule I managed to get section 11 in this past week with Steve Cournoyer. It was perfect weather and an amazing paddle. I will post pictures when I return from my next trip.
With that said, I head out today for the Everglades Carl, Barb and Gus. I will also post photos and update the blog when I return. I have also changed the link for our "Spot" to Gus's for this trip so you should be able to follow us.
Everyone pray we have good weather for this trip.
See ya soon!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Well we made it as far as Jupiter Inlet and up around into Jonathan Dickinson State Park today. For some reason some of my coordinate posts made from my phone are not making it to the blog. I'm not sure why, so we'll just have to make due with the ones that make it to post. It seems like they're getting posted close to every other day.
There is now a change in plans, which is important for those of you that had intended on joining me on specific legs of my journey. I am currently taking a short break and will resume on or around April 6th. I will be picking back up from Long Key and will be paddling section 14 through the Everglades with four others.
I have decided to hop around during my circumnavigation joining other paddlers that want to paddle specific sections. I have several reasons for this. First, my paddling partner pool has dwindled and either they have left the trail already, are in the process of being done with their time allotted to paddle or are just tired and no longer interested in paddling for whatever reason. I'm starting to take this all very personally.....not really. But have met several new paddlers along the way that are like minded and will help me with the many sections that I need to complete.
With that said, the past week has been pretty awesome. There were 5 of us paddling, Randy, Ruben, Carl, Gus and myself. Carl had tried to catch up with me earlier in the trip but was unable to connect because of the phone charging issues we were having earlier on. He and Gus managed to catch up for sections 20 & 21which we completed today.
In this past short week we have all become well acquainted and have earned Trail names which I feel are necessary to share with everyone and a short reason for the names. Randy who is our fire expert and manages without fail regardless of weather conditions to get a fire going has been named "Short Stroke". The name has been chosen due to the size of his......saw. Since the saw he was using was a folding portable saw, when cutting wood he had to use short strokes. Ruben has been named "Pig Pen" after the famous Charlie Brown character. I have to say this one is self explanatory. He just feels its not necessary to shower when on long paddling trips. Randy made the comment that there's not dust flying around him like Pig Pen, but thats only because he's in or on the water and it's keeping the dust down. Gus has earned the name "But-her Butt". You've heard the saying "she's got a great body "But Her" face is aweful".....Well, gus decided that I was giving him too much grief one time while peeing and decided to moon us, sharing way more that I could have ever imagined. I have acquired 2 names. The first is "Violet" for the purple arse I had for several days due to a leak in my boxed wine bag that was located behind my seat. The second, I'm not so fond of, so we'll stick with the first, but will share the latter, that name is "Hand Job". Apparently they all think it's hilarious that I've given all my head lamps to everyone else so I have to use Randy's eco friendly flashlight that you have to shake back and forth in your hand to charge......you get the picture. And last but not least Carl. I called him "Grampa" once just trying to get back at him, I'm sure for some other snyde comment that he made, but that name doesn't quite seem to do him justice. I'm leaning towards "Paddling Nazi". However, these things can't be forced. We'll be paddling together in the Everglades so I'm sure that this will inspire a truly fitting name for Carl.
I will definitely be in contact with those of you that I was going to be paddling other sections with, via email.
There is now a change in plans, which is important for those of you that had intended on joining me on specific legs of my journey. I am currently taking a short break and will resume on or around April 6th. I will be picking back up from Long Key and will be paddling section 14 through the Everglades with four others.
I have decided to hop around during my circumnavigation joining other paddlers that want to paddle specific sections. I have several reasons for this. First, my paddling partner pool has dwindled and either they have left the trail already, are in the process of being done with their time allotted to paddle or are just tired and no longer interested in paddling for whatever reason. I'm starting to take this all very personally.....not really. But have met several new paddlers along the way that are like minded and will help me with the many sections that I need to complete.
With that said, the past week has been pretty awesome. There were 5 of us paddling, Randy, Ruben, Carl, Gus and myself. Carl had tried to catch up with me earlier in the trip but was unable to connect because of the phone charging issues we were having earlier on. He and Gus managed to catch up for sections 20 & 21which we completed today.
In this past short week we have all become well acquainted and have earned Trail names which I feel are necessary to share with everyone and a short reason for the names. Randy who is our fire expert and manages without fail regardless of weather conditions to get a fire going has been named "Short Stroke". The name has been chosen due to the size of his......saw. Since the saw he was using was a folding portable saw, when cutting wood he had to use short strokes. Ruben has been named "Pig Pen" after the famous Charlie Brown character. I have to say this one is self explanatory. He just feels its not necessary to shower when on long paddling trips. Randy made the comment that there's not dust flying around him like Pig Pen, but thats only because he's in or on the water and it's keeping the dust down. Gus has earned the name "But-her Butt". You've heard the saying "she's got a great body "But Her" face is aweful".....Well, gus decided that I was giving him too much grief one time while peeing and decided to moon us, sharing way more that I could have ever imagined. I have acquired 2 names. The first is "Violet" for the purple arse I had for several days due to a leak in my boxed wine bag that was located behind my seat. The second, I'm not so fond of, so we'll stick with the first, but will share the latter, that name is "Hand Job". Apparently they all think it's hilarious that I've given all my head lamps to everyone else so I have to use Randy's eco friendly flashlight that you have to shake back and forth in your hand to charge......you get the picture. And last but not least Carl. I called him "Grampa" once just trying to get back at him, I'm sure for some other snyde comment that he made, but that name doesn't quite seem to do him justice. I'm leaning towards "Paddling Nazi". However, these things can't be forced. We'll be paddling together in the Everglades so I'm sure that this will inspire a truly fitting name for Carl.
I will definitely be in contact with those of you that I was going to be paddling other sections with, via email.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Okay, straight up, today sucked. We put in at 7:30 am at the 520 bridge at Cocoa Beach and made it as far as the North end of PAFB. We had light winds at no more than 5mph out of the North to start and then a cloud that looked like it could potentially produce a small amount of rain went over and the crazy winds that were predicted hit instantly, coming out of the W NW. We made a b-line for the east shore only to have 4 ft (absolutely no exaggeration) hitting us in the face for about an hour. Not fun......again. Needless to say, we're back home, waiting out the freakin weather again, plus I had already planned on taking Thursday and Friday as "zero days" since my son will be in town. Sooo, for those of you (Carl & Gus) planning to join us on Saturday, we won't be in Melbourne until Sunday. So let us know which day you plan on joining us, or if you still plan on joining us. I'm getting slightly discouraged.............just sayin.
A quick update.....yesterday, Monday, March 5th, Rick dropped us back in Titusville and we put in around 8am. We had the wonderful winds at our back through most of the day. We were headed south down the ICW to the 528 bridge in Cocoa at which point we headed East down the barge canal to the Banana River and made to the 520 Bridge at Cocoa Beach.
Sustained winds for Tuesday are at 20 gusting upward of 30. It's not looking very good, however, we will attempt to make it the 15 miles planned to Samson Island in Satellite Beach. Will post again later.
Sustained winds for Tuesday are at 20 gusting upward of 30. It's not looking very good, however, we will attempt to make it the 15 miles planned to Samson Island in Satellite Beach. Will post again later.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Rainy miserable day just south of St. Augustine. A great time to find out that your waterproof coat has worn out and is no longer waterproof.....ugh!
Amazing house dock.
Palm Coast condo's.
Palm coast camp site.
I love this boat house.
Finally some sunshine!!!
Ponce inlet campsite. One of my favorites.
Foggy morning at Ponce inlet as a sailboat passes.
Foggy Ponce inlet.
Our first night out, on a spoil island, just south of Nassau River.
First nite.
Dinner at Dutton Island, our second nite. Just joking. John's daughter actually brought us Pizza & Beer! She's the bomb!
Dutton Island.
Bat box directly above our campsite on Dutton Island.
Dutton Island Campsite.
Todays words of wisdom: The bag in a box of wine is not puncture proof, particularly whilst behind a kayak seat.
Randy and Ruben north of the St. Johns River
Hey ya'll! Well.....Saturday morning we put in at Haulover canal without a problem....until we got out of the canal. Sustained winds yesterday at 15 to 20 in our face out of the SW. Not fun. It took us 3 hours to just cross the bay. We made it to the Wilson train bridge just before Titusville Marina and had to turn around. Washing machine waves on the other side of the bridge were at least 4 ft. Not gonna do it! We had Rick pick us up. Rain this morning with dropping temps made the decision to take out until Monday the right one. The front that is currently passing will turn the winds around to NW...YAY! Finally winds in our favor. We've only had a day or two of that so far. We'll put back in tomorrow (Monday) morning.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Our attempt at putting back in at Haulover to "paddle on" today was thwarted by a trailer with other plans. We spent the day repairing and will "hopefully" be back on the water at Haulover tomorrow. We plan to paddle to the island just south of the 405 bridge. I'll post coordinates tomorrow evening.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Soooo much has happened in this first five days of paddling. First let me begin with an apology for everyone that we told to keep tabs on us but we haven't kept up our end of the bargain. But this is because of all the details.
We actually started out on the 19th at Ft. Clinch and paddled across the river to a camp site were we were able to set off from early in the morning. So we set out on the 20th in a little less than favorable conditions. Winds were stronger than we anticipated but it was at our backs so that much was good. We had a couple small rough areas that we managed and made it to our first camp site which was at exactly the same spot as our last attempt just south of Nassau River. John set off the spot but apparently we've been told that there's a glitch and it wasn't and isn't showing our where abouts. Again, apologies.
Second day wasn't quite as rough but the wind was in our face. No incidents. We made it as far as Dutton Island which is south of the St. Johns River. John's daughter was a saint. She lives very close to the area where we camped and kindly brought us PIZZA & BEER!! OMG!!! This could be the best thing I've ever had to eat and in my entire life!!! This is only day three and one would think we hadn't eaten in a month.
Day 3, we have a change in status. John has decided that this might not be the trip for him and decided that he will have his daughter pick him up from the campsite later in the day. We are sad to see him go(anyone interested in purchasing a used kayak?). We're hoping he will join us for sections of the trail when he's up to it and in better weather. We camped in a wonderful site along the beach south of the rt 202 bridge. We called Jan, who we stayed with on our last attmept, she is truly wonderful!!! For some reason I thought that her place was just past the 202 bridge so we called her and told her we would be there later in the evening........
Day 4, wind in our face. John probably made the right decision since it's been a very tough day. We made it just north of the St. Augustine inlet to a campground that we stayed on our last attempt also. They have a camp store with everthing in it....even chocolate....OMG!!! Had to call Jan again, apologized profusely and tell her we weren't were we thought we were and we would be yet another day before arriving.
Day 5, were to start.....how about with UGGGHHHHH!!! That works. We had tide and wind and just about every element known to man kind against us. Winds were constant at around 20 with gusts around 25 and then some, definitely not my idea of fun. We left camp at 9:30 am staying in the lee of the wind for about half of the day at which point we arrived at a bay where all hell broke loose. We were traveling at less than 1 mile an hour for over 30 minutes, waves crashing up over us completely soaking us and everything in our posession including every bit of electronics (did I mention never bring any electronics on a kayak under any circumstances).
We finally made it to Jan's. I love Jan!!!
So, with that said, we no longer have the "spot" since it's with John. We will once again have it after we arrive in Cocoa and set up a new one. In the mean time, we have worked out details on how to keep everyone informed on our whereabouts. My phone will be kept off and we will check messages once daily in the evenings. If you need to contact us then simply leave a message and I will make return calls in the evenings. We will also post our coordinates for the evening until we have the new spot set up. If however, you don't see coordinates posted then the phone is not charged and we will not be answering messages either.
We actually started out on the 19th at Ft. Clinch and paddled across the river to a camp site were we were able to set off from early in the morning. So we set out on the 20th in a little less than favorable conditions. Winds were stronger than we anticipated but it was at our backs so that much was good. We had a couple small rough areas that we managed and made it to our first camp site which was at exactly the same spot as our last attempt just south of Nassau River. John set off the spot but apparently we've been told that there's a glitch and it wasn't and isn't showing our where abouts. Again, apologies.
Second day wasn't quite as rough but the wind was in our face. No incidents. We made it as far as Dutton Island which is south of the St. Johns River. John's daughter was a saint. She lives very close to the area where we camped and kindly brought us PIZZA & BEER!! OMG!!! This could be the best thing I've ever had to eat and in my entire life!!! This is only day three and one would think we hadn't eaten in a month.
Day 3, we have a change in status. John has decided that this might not be the trip for him and decided that he will have his daughter pick him up from the campsite later in the day. We are sad to see him go(anyone interested in purchasing a used kayak?). We're hoping he will join us for sections of the trail when he's up to it and in better weather. We camped in a wonderful site along the beach south of the rt 202 bridge. We called Jan, who we stayed with on our last attmept, she is truly wonderful!!! For some reason I thought that her place was just past the 202 bridge so we called her and told her we would be there later in the evening........
Day 4, wind in our face. John probably made the right decision since it's been a very tough day. We made it just north of the St. Augustine inlet to a campground that we stayed on our last attempt also. They have a camp store with everthing in it....even chocolate....OMG!!! Had to call Jan again, apologized profusely and tell her we weren't were we thought we were and we would be yet another day before arriving.
Day 5, were to start.....how about with UGGGHHHHH!!! That works. We had tide and wind and just about every element known to man kind against us. Winds were constant at around 20 with gusts around 25 and then some, definitely not my idea of fun. We left camp at 9:30 am staying in the lee of the wind for about half of the day at which point we arrived at a bay where all hell broke loose. We were traveling at less than 1 mile an hour for over 30 minutes, waves crashing up over us completely soaking us and everything in our posession including every bit of electronics (did I mention never bring any electronics on a kayak under any circumstances).
We finally made it to Jan's. I love Jan!!!
So, with that said, we no longer have the "spot" since it's with John. We will once again have it after we arrive in Cocoa and set up a new one. In the mean time, we have worked out details on how to keep everyone informed on our whereabouts. My phone will be kept off and we will check messages once daily in the evenings. If you need to contact us then simply leave a message and I will make return calls in the evenings. We will also post our coordinates for the evening until we have the new spot set up. If however, you don't see coordinates posted then the phone is not charged and we will not be answering messages either.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Finally
It's time again to attempt this "thing"! We will once again be attempting to circumnavigate the state of Florida by kayak. There will be four of us: John Hussey from Cocoa Florida, Ruben Biezeman from the Netherlands, Randall Rule from Cocoa and myself, Lisa Rennert from Cape Canaveral and we will have Steve Cournoyer joining us on the west coast from the Marco Island area to the Big Bend area.
We will be leaving on February 20th, 2012 from Ft. Clinch again and head south to Key West, then head back up the west coast to Pennsacola.
You can check our progress daily if you click on the "spot link" in the right hand column. Every night we will send off a signal with "spot" so you can see exactly where we are.
We look forward to everyone following us and hope you will all post often. The posts help keep things interesting and give us something to look forward to.
If anyone would like more information on contacting us please post on our blog prior to our departure and I will give you further information.
Stay tuned...........
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