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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