My birthday was last month and I received a few interestingly titled books.  Well I grabbed one of these books today as I headed to my local mechanic to get some service done on my truck.  I chose “At the Mercy of the Sea: the true story of three sailors in a Caribbean Hurricane” by John Kretschmer.

Lenny south of Saint Croix at its peak intensity

The book takes place in November of 1999.  The protagonist is Hurricane Lenny.  “Lenny was the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded in November, and quite unusual in that it moved west-to-east across the Caribbean”.  It is remarkable timing that I should have started reading this book because right now we have Tropical Storm Ida moving in the Gulf of Mexico.

The book has a little more than two hundred pages.  And within the two hours of reading it I read almost half of this book.  I felt as I was reading it that I was becoming apart of something bigger than myself.

Aquatic suspense always draws me in for it usually defies conventional wisdom.  Anyone who has spent time on the water knows that boaters are a guest on the back of a nameless leviathan.  Hurricane Lenny is the leviathan in this book and he is as unique as the three men that were solo sailing.  This is a book about the experience of sailing through a category four hurricane.  And I highly recommend it to my fellow kayakers.  It is full of character development and suspense.  I could taste the saltwater, feel the wind, and I shared in the fatigue of Carl Wake, Steve Rigby, and Guillaume Llobregat, as they sailed.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.  – Jeff

Hi Fellow Water Lovers,
Yesterday I got to surf some really fun and powerful waves. Hurricane Ida brought with it some wonderful semi-tropical swells! The water is getting a little chilly(73 degrees), so I wore a full wetsuit and was glad I did with the 30 to 40 mph. east offshore winds. Anyway just thought I would drop this in. Waves were chest to shoulder high with occasional head high set waves(the biggest single wave to come in every now and then). Hope you all are getting some water time, too. What ever you use as your vehicle on the water: Get on it, in it, under it!!!
-Sea Turtle Sean

Yes, I actually caught two fish.  The last time I caught a fish I was 15.  It is an odd thing to admit because I have been on the water with a lot of kayak anglers.  We even shared our knowledge.  I taught them how to paddle without effort.  And they taught me how to think like a fish.  After all of my practice casting it finally worked.  My friends have always had fun with this failure fo mine.  The running joke is that the first fish I catch will probably be caught with my mouth instead of  with a lure.  Because of all of the rolling I do.

Tony and I were fishing inshore saltwater.  Within a five mile radius of an inlet island we fished on the flats, around docks, under a bridge, and at the edge of a channel.  Then before the sun set we made camp on an island.  My two fish were too small to keep.  However Tony caught some legal size ones.

With our fish we ate roasted corn, potatoes, and baked apples.  We toasted the night with a little rum and then went night fishing.  We only caught some horseshoe crabs and snails.  We cooked the snails with a little butter.  It tasted great!

I will never eat wild snails again.  It became quickly apparent that it did not agree with me.  Oops…

The sunrise completed a beautiful night.  We fished near the boat channel as we paddled back to the boat launch.  Tony caught three more redfish.  I was not so successful.

This was a rewarding and peaceful experience.  I definitely recommend everyone to try their hand at kayak fishing.  At best you catch some fish.  At worst you get a chance to play like a kid again.

- Jeff

Hey Water Junkies, SORRY this post is long overdue: It has been a stressful time recently & I had computer problems-A WORM! I’ m not talk’n earth worm either! Computer still down but I’ m finally doing this from my home computer- not the infected work computer.

Here it is, the long awaited #4 post in our Expedition Series. This post will be focusing on the food Jeff and I will be taking on our 5 day paddling expedition down the Suwannee River. Including Breakfast each morning, and Lunch and Dinner for each day. This will also include how we plan to prepare and pack it as well as the calorie count that we feel will be needed for each day. There will also be an ending paragraph on the extras- such as snacks/secret last minute desserts and must haves!!!

For starters lets do breakfast:  This will consist of  assorted instant oatmeal flavors- Calories 100 to 160 depending on the flavor. We will also be having on at least 1 day, Backpacker’s Pantry Denver Omelets- Calories 220. Also on the menu for breakfast will be assorted travel packs of cereals- Calories 120-180 depending on brand. Don’t forget a 4-6 pack of UHT(ultra high temperature) Milk in boxes- Calories 170. That should just about do it for the mornings. That would mean we will start each day at around 200 to 350 or more calories depending on what we eat. Not including any treats I.E.- fruit cup, instant coffee, juice.

Next lets do lunch: This will include the ever popular Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich- Calories 242. Also assorted packaged Albacore Tuna & Salmon(only the best for Jeff & I) to be put in a wrap- Calories 120-160. Don’t forget the individual packaged Cheddar Cheese slices- Calories 120. Totaling 280 to 362 calories give or take a few depending on what other goodies might be added as we see fit or as something grabs our taste buds. I forgot to mention I still have a few Military Issue M.R.E.s( meals ready to eat) that just might make it into the Lunch Line!!!!

Now for the Dinner Menu: The first night Jeff and I will be dining on Beef Tips and Green Peppers with Egg Noodles that we will pre-make at home and put in ice to be re-heated at camp the first night!! Not sure on the calories but I would guess around 350 calories. For the rest of the expedition we will be eating  20 oz. Mountain House Dinners that feed 2. They are as follows,  Spaghetti w/ meat sauce- Calories 270.  Mexican Style Rice & Chicken- Calories 480.  Beef Stroganoff- Calories 310.  And finally Grilled Chicken & Mashed Potatoes- Calories 250. These are all backpacker type just add water to rehydrate foods. One would think YUCK! They are actually quite YUMMY!

All of these foods we can either eat as they are out of the package or can use our small MSR white gas stoves to heat water and add to rehydrate as well as warm the food. As far as packing the food goes none of this will need to be refrigerated and all of it will fit nicely into a dry bag or directly into the storage areas of our kayaks as it is all contained in a small slim package of its own.

After doing research on the calorie intake that we should be consuming we settled upon 1400 to 1600 a day. This may seem a little low as compared to other sports endeavors, but remember it will be chilly( or downright cold!) and we will have a current pushing us along to aid with exertion and fatigue. Therefore we will not burn as much fuel in our bodies as if we were paddling in the heat & against a current/wind/waves in open waters. To break it down that would mean around 900 to 1000 calories, just with the 3 meals each day!! That doesn’t include snacking on things like Trail Mix- Calories about 180 per serving. Or Jeffs’ Famous Desserts- I KNOW HE’ LL BE WHIPPNG SOMETHING UP!!!!  I.E.  Orange Cinnamon Swirls, Stuffed Apples, Cakes & Cookies too! He will be using a Backpackers Pantry Outback Oven to make these goodies!

So as you can see we will NOT be Starving by any means on our little Expedition! I don’ t think we will have any problems getting enough calorie intake to keep going. I also have a feeling that somehow a can of Black-EYED Peas will make it into the New Years Eve Dinner as well for GOOD LUCK! And I KNOW Jeff and I will be toasting in the New Paddling Year with some sort of Adult Beverage- could be Champagne, could be Tequila; WHO KNOWS!?!? Thats the beauty of it. It doesn’t matter because only we will be there to experience it!!!!………….. Well us and the Spirits and Animals of the Suwannee River.

-Already dreaming of  Eating and Paddling, Sea Turtle Sean.

Next Post #5 in the Expedition Series:  The Gear.    Posting in 8 days.( I Promise )

Halloween is a great time to enjoy the rush of being scared. And the pounding of the heart lets us know that we are alive. I recommend seeing these classic and modern movies if you cannot get out on the water. You are sure to get lost in the fun of each movie.      – Jeff

Black Water (2008)

The movie is an Australian crocodile film about a rogue crocodile that attacks some tourists in their boat. As they drift into a mangrove swamp, their boat suddenly capsizes and Jim disappears. Becoming stranded in the swamp the group realizes that a crocodile has attacked them. Stranded they must somehow elude a man-eating crocodile and get out alive.

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Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

“A scientific expedition searching for fossils along the Amazon River discover a prehistoric Gill-Man in the legendary Black Lagoon. The explorers capture the mysterious creature, but it breaks free. The Gill-Man returns to kidnap the lovely Kay, fiancée of one of the expedition, with whom it has fallen in love.”

This movie was filmed in Florida on the Silver River.

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Deliverance (1972)

“On a weekend canoing trip down a river in the Georgia back country, four urban businessmen enter a nightmare in which both nature and mankind conspire to send them through a crucible of danger and degradation in which their lives and perhaps even their souls are put at horrendous risk.”

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The Descent (2005)

Six girlfriends meet in a remote part of the Appalachians for their annual extreme outdoor adventure, in this case the exploration of a cave hidden deep in the woods. Far below the surface of the earth, disaster strikes, and there’s no way out. (Directed by Neil Marshall, English, 100 min., 2005, Rated R for strong violence/gore and language).

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The Host (2006)

U.S. military scientist orders deadly chemicals to be dumped in a Korean sewer, inadvertently giving birth to a mutant monster. This film, which has won rave reviews from critics and audiences around the world, does for the age of chemical weapons and bioterroism what Godzilla did for the era of the atomic bomb. The director has been compared with Steven Spielberg for his ability to combine relentless thrills with poignant characterizations. (Directed by Joon-ho Bong, Korean w/ English subtitles, Rated R)

Island of Lost Souls (1933)

“The original version of H.G. Wells’ novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau. Charles Laughton makes a very creepy Dr. Moreau, and Bela Lugosi is equally creepy as The Sayer of the Law. If you’ve seen later versions, particularly the recent Brando remake, be sure to catch this one if you can.”

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Jaws (1975)

“Not to be outdone by Hitchcock, Spielberg managed to make people afraid of a fish. ”

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Lake Placid (1999)

“Its placid waters complement the pristine Maine wilderness it borders. This tranquil setting is probably the last place you’d expect a gruesome fatality. But then it’s also the last place you’d expect to find a 30-foot, narrow-snouted, multi-toothed, reptilian of the species Crocodylus. An eating machine more commonly known as a crocodile.”

This evening I started thinking about the history that flows from the Suwannee River.  It is All Hallows Eve and some people are tricked into wrapping themselves in consumerism.  The treats consumed tonight rots the body and does little to nourish the soul.  It is not a very happy day at all; moreover, it is a far departure for its historical and spiritual roots.  It is history that interests me and I started thinking about the people that once lived on this magical river.

The purpose of this time was to remember those who have died.  I wonder about the people who died on the 266 winding miles of water cutting through southern Georgia and Florida. I have come across some legends that say the Suwannee River in the 1780’s were full of pirates. The river also supported the lives of several Native American tribes before and after Europeans discovered the Suwannee.  And in recent history there is the ghost town of Ellaville.  We will travel under that town’s abandoned bridge during our trip.

It is possible that along the river late at night we could see spirits dancing in the moonlit mist.  Maybe we will only hear the sounds of sturgeons leaping and barred owls speaking.  No mater what we see and not see  Sean and I will treat the time on the water respectful of those who loved and died along the Suwannee River.

- Jeff

I am pursuing a MA in history focusing on an aspect of transportation.  Consequently, I am always excited to find something about kayaking.  Sean Smith gets the credit of making me aware of this video.

In 1980’s an Australian soft drink manufacture used a kayak to promote their Solo lemon flavored carbonated beverage.  I do not know if the beverage still exists but the commercial makes me thirsty.

-Jeff

Hi Paddlers,

    Well just got back from the area of Estero,Florida. What a cool area to camp and paddle. The Park Rangers were very nice and did not even give us a hard time bout nothing!!  This is an update from a small heads up posting I did last week. What follows is a brief summary of the trip and what happened while the group was there. Also some brief history on one of the weirdest state parks I have personally ever been to!

    The trip started on Friday morning, Oct. 16th. I met KayakKev and KayakPeggy at Peggys’ house around 9:30 a.m. After some minor packing and loading our 3 kayaks on the MOOSE- (our affectionate name for Kevins’ LARGE Ford Truck with giant Thule Hull-a vator roof racks), we headed to get the trailer. After grabbing the trailer- which by the way looked darn good with its new highspeed wax job, we were headed south on Interstate 75; headed toward Ft. Myers. After about 2 hours and 40 minutes of smooth driving, we got off on our exit and headed straight for our campsite(#15) at Koreshan State Park! Upon arrival we met up with Judy and Roy- who by Saturday morning had had enough of the rain and packed up and left early. More about that later. Kevin & I set up the trailer and camp as quick as possible, while Peggy started warming up dinner- my wife Shellys’ famous Cuban Picadillo. Did I mention I also had to rush to set up my tent!!

    The rest of Friday night was pretty typical of a night around the camp. Then the 1st COLD FRONT of the year came through and it POURED ALL NIGHT!!!! Luckily my 9 year old tent did not leak one bit. I was up about every hour thinking the GREAT FLOOD was going to start any minute. In the morning to my amazement some other paddlers had come in, they were: Sandy & her husband Bob, Katy, Grayson, John, Carol, Kathy & Jim. Sandy and Bobs’ tent leaked in the deluge of water, although they looked as though it had not phased them. After sending Judy & Roy off, we all decided to go for a paddle up the Estero River. What a beautiful South Florida river this was with many airplants in the trees and an exotic feel about it. The rain had stopped and we all enjoyed our day on the water. Hope to paddle more of this area at a later time. As we paddled,  Sandy and I talked about how we both would swear a babbling creek was running through our campsites the night before!!!!!! When we returned to the boat launch I gave a brief demo of self rescue techniques, despite the signs warning of BIG Alligators!!!!(I personally never saw one) BUT, I know for a fact Katy was looking for them!!!!

    Later on Saturday night we did a potluck kinda dinner, although Kev, Peggy, & I did opt for our own meal, (Peggy-it was delicious). It was during the food prep that Bob asked me about Beam Seas( side waves) coming at the boat and how to handle them. As I began to explain, he was pouring about 20 Gallons of LIGHTER FLUID in a Habachi grill & threw the match- WOOOMMPPFF!!!! The 8 foot fireball that flew out caused Bob to lean away from the Inferno! AH HA, I exclaimed “Lean AWAY from the FIRE, and Lean INTO the WAVES!”.

“What a great way to remember that!”, Bob said. That became the Mantra of the rest of the trip! Later on Sat. night the group went for a late night nature hike. I decided to try to scare them. Here I am wondering around in all black, when I finally jumped out to scare someone; I tripped on a root and landed in the middle of the path flat on my back laughing like a FOOL! All of the sudden there was a bright light over me and Grayson says, “Hi Sean.” Too Fricken FUNNY!!

    Sunday was spent touring the Koreshan Settlement and relaxing around the camp with my Buddies! Monday was pack up day- and the dreaded arrival back in civilization! All in all what a great weekend with GOOD PEOPLE!! Thank You to all who were there and I hope we can all do it again sometime!! KayakKev & KayakPeggy I Love You Guys!! Last but not least we really missed Sue, Karen, Dan & of course my Jeffie!! 

    This state park was sold to the state by the Koreshan Unity- a religious cult from the late 1800’s till approx. the early 1960’s. They believed the world was on the inside of a sphere, and were led by Dr. Cyrus Teed, who was knocked out by high voltage electricity and claimed to have been approached by male/female GOD telling him that he was the Messiah and to start the Utopian city of New Jerusalem in Estero, Fl. I do have appreciation for his right to freedom of religion from persecution. BUT, could not help thinking– What a Wack Job and the closeness of his religion name to a certain other Wack Job from WACO, Texas……… David Koresh.   Hmmmm makes one think doesn’ t it!!

                                                                                           - Sea Turtle Sean

I almost forgot to mention: Robert the awesome dude fishing at the boat ramp who watched my yak when I went to get the bike trailer. Also our neighbors in site 14:  Keith and Maria who I would like to Thank for the Gumbo Limbo firewood & Great Conversation!! I hope to hear from you all soon!!

I know some of our readers are waiting on 2 posts to come out! One on my trip to Koreshan State Park and #4 in our Expedition post; The Menu. I have gotten a little behind but I promise to write them both over the weekend! Check back frequently as they will definitely be up by MONDAY.
– Sea Turtle Sean

Just wanted to let everyone know that we will miss the Jeffster on our Koreshan camping/paddling trip this weekend! He was supposed to go but had something come up at work– Ughh!! When LIFE gets in the way, but as paddlers it happens to the best of us; and we have ALL been there. Jeff to you we send a solid SALUTE and raise our Paddles to THEE! I feel like I’ m cheating on my second wife. Oh, well I’ ll see you when we get back!!!!
-Sean

Good Day Paddlers,

Here it is Post #3 in our expedition series! In this post I am going to cover our initial arrangements to get where we are going, who is taking us to the launch site of our journey; why we chose them(shuttle), and a brief description of our start time and place. Followed by where we hope to be by the end of the first day of our paddle! Also a brief summary at the end telling you where we hope to be each day of the trip, and the # to call to arrange your Rivercamp places to stay!

Jeff and I bounced around many thoughts & ideas on how we should get up to the Suwannee River area(about 4 hr. drive from Pinellas Cty.-our home). Originally we were going to drive separate vehicles and park 1 in Branford & 1 in White Springs so we would not have to spend money on a shuttle service. After much bickering like an OLD Married Couple we decided that we not only would spend more on gas than if we only took 1 vehicle, we would also have to worry about safe parking of 2 vehicles- not to mention thats twice the pollution-( not that we are totally green, but we try to keep our impact on the environment down as much as possible).  We agreed(not like a Married Couple) that we should price out the shuttle service and see if we could get up to White Springs from Branford(1 hr.5 min. give or take), thus only leaving 1 vehicle to worry about and saving gas/money & lessening our impact on the environment.

I made a few phone calls and we soon settled on AMERICAN CANOE ADVENTURES as our outfitter of choice for our  shuttle ride.

http://www.aca1.com/

They are very fairly priced not to mention Mr. Wendell Hannum  the owner was very accommodating & they have a very informative website and can even do all the planning of an expedition or a day paddle for you, I also must mention that I called a couple of weeks earlier and spoke with a very nice young lady who gave me the initial price- her name Corinna (hope I spelled it right). I will be giving them half with my credit card by phone and the other half when they come get us in Branford on Dec. 27th.   Price: less than a GOOD PFD (life jacket)!   Distance:  like 40 or 50 miles!

So as it stands now we will be leaving Pinellas County at O4:00 or O5:00 hrs. “What does the “O” stand for? O my [Gosh], it’s early! (Adrian Cronauer: Good morning Vietnam)

On Dec. 27th and heading to Branford in one of our vehicles. We hope to arrive at our safe parking destination and ending point of the expedition at between 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. Mr. Wendell should arrive to pick us up around 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. , to whisk us off to the starting point of our expedition. Hopefully if all goes well we should be in White Springs at the U.S. 41 bridge within an hour or so to launch and begin the trip down the AWESOME Suwannee River, as stated on American Canoe Adventures Website- the Paddle of a LIFETIME!!

Jeff and I hope to be at the Woods Ferry Rivercamp by the end of the first day,(paddling distance 12-13 miles) remember we only have half a day to make it to camp/dinner and sleep! We will be up bright and early the next day for a full day of paddling!

Our chosen  schedule, if you want to call it that should be as follows::

• Day One-  Woods Ferry Rivercamp
• Day Two-  Holton Creek Rivercamp
• Day Three-  Dowling Park Rivercamp
• Day Four-  Peacock Slough Rivercamp
• Day Five- Adams Tract Rivercamp

All of these camps should be roughly 20 miles apart from each other, in the event we do not make it to the camps; we will be primitive camping on the side of the river bank.  To reserve the camps the # is 1-800-868-9914 or go to the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail website.  I hope you all enjoy the latest post in our series and please keep reading, YOU the Paddler/Reader are why Jeff and I write!

Excited!  -Sea Turtle Sean

Next Post in 8 Days- Expedition Planning : The Menu!

Hi Paddlers,

Just wanted to drop in a small post about Koreshan State Park here in Florida. This Friday thru Monday(10/16-10/19) Sean as well as KayakKev & KayakPeggy will be camping and paddling along the Estero River and surrounding mangrove islands. Not real sure who put the whole trip together- I believe it is a group of paddlers who are usually affiliated with Bill Jacksons- Shop for Adventure. Anyway will have more details and a new post when we return after Monday! Hope to meet some new paddlers!!

-Sea Turtle Sean

YO!

Well here it is post #2 in the Expedition Series, just as promised. This post is going to focus on the actual route we are going to be paddling and how the choice to paddle the section of river we are doing came about.

When Jeff and I first decided to paddle the Suwannee River, we thought about doing the entire length- a distance of 213 miles. Starting in the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia and ending at the Gulf of Mexico, in the Big Bend region of Florida.

After doing some research the biggest factor in deciding not to do the whole river was a time limitation. The trip has been made in 15 days at a steady pace and possibly as fast as 5 days at a marathon sprint(non-stop  paddling, done by Terry Tomalin, George Stovall, Kasey LaLomia & Jon Willis, Dec. 2001 ). Jeff and I like to enjoy our time paddling so trying to do the whole river in 5 days was out of the question!!

Reason #2 is there are large class 3 rapids just north of where we decided to put in, and we do not want to destroy are precious Sea Kayaks! The 3rd reason is the Suwannee River Wilderness Paddling Trail starts just south of those rapids in a town called White Springs, and I found out it is the most scenic part of the river anyway.

The 91 miles from White Springs to the little town of Branford being the most scenic and uncrowded part of the river as well as being the best part of the Suwannee River Wilderness Paddling Trail had our minds made up!! We can average anywhere from 15 to 25 miles a day paddling, that puts us at just about 5 days worth of paddling. PERFECT!!

Another cool deciding factor was awesome camping opportunities along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, about every 15 to 20 miles they have either a Hub town or River camp- each camp has 6 roofed and screened decks for sleeping. At this time they are—- FREE to the paddling/camping public. The Hubs are usually at a State Park or Town where you can pay to camp. In addition there are many white sandbars/beaches to pitch a tent on for primitive camping. This makes it SOOO EASY that a Cave Man can do it!(SORRY GEICO) Ha Ha Ha Ha.

Guess What? That still leaves us 122 miles of river that we can always go back and do at a later time in life when we run out of other places to paddle- YEAH RIGHT!

So there you have it, now our destination and the route in which we will be paddling has been revealed! I hope our readers are getting at least half of the thrill and excitement Jeff and I hope to get from all this expedition stuff. I also hope this is helping and inspiring other paddlers to “Have a Thought” and “Plan a Trip”. Then GO Out and Get R’ Done!

Still Planning- Sea Turtle Sean

Next post in the series in 8 days; Expedition Planning: Making Arrangements.

Hi Fellow Paddlers,

As promised this is #1 in our Expedition Planning series! The title of the post I believe should say it all. This statement is somewhat of an oxymoron if you ask me, kinda like Military Intelligence or a waterless carwash-HUH? It all started when my cellphone rang about the middle-ish of August, give or take a few days in either direction. Jeff was on the other end (what a surprise) when I answered it.

He said “Hey, what you up to? (standard BRO-mance greeting).  I said “not a whole lot” and “You?” Before I could say anything else, Jeff starts rambling on about water and something about the proper alignment of the Paddling Universe— then he just BUSTS OUT with “We should go paddle the Suwannee River a day or two after Christmas!” I was kinda shocked and did not know if he was serious or just baiting me!

“Hello, Sean?” Jeff said.
“I’ m here, are you serious?” I said.
“AH, Yeah, we should take 5 days and just disappear to work on skills and enjoy a trip down the Majestic Suwannee River!”
“OK, lets plan and do it!” I said.
First we need to get permission from the Bosses at home as well as the bosses at work!!!! DONE!!

When one thinks of the word EXPEDITION and what that word means; it conjures up thoughts of weeks, even months surviving out in the wilderness living, eating, sleeping, and who knows what else; just to stay alive. All in the name of either science, research, ego, or any of 1000 other great excuses! Well an expedition does not have to be weeks or months, it can be 2 days or 2 years. An expedition simply means that a person or group of persons are setting out on a trip to accomplish a common goal- whatever that may be!

The expedition could be to collect specimens for science, or to showcase a beautiful natural location.  Or “Just because its there”- sorry Burt Reynolds (Deliverance) or for spiritual reasons- “Spirit Treks” (Native American Indians).

Whatever the reason one chooses to go on an expedition, it is the journey not only that you actually take, but also the planning and getting there that also makes it what it is. The EXPEDITION is the CROWN JEWEL that you get to keep after all the planning and preparation are over. When the EXPEDITION is over, you get a lifetime of memories and accomplishments that no one can take away from you!

Bottom line: Out of a quick thought, that takes only seconds to materialize. Comes months of planning and preparation, followed by more time Paddling and enjoying oneself- then a lifetime of bittersweet memories!

Planning like Crazy!
-Sea Turtle Sean

Next Post in the series in 8 days! Expedition Planning : The Route!

Unfortunately, today on Bay News 9 they are reporting another death from a rare lake organism. The Amoeba that causes brain swelling. Jeff just did a more in depth post on this earlier this week and please read IT! This makes fatality #2 in less than a week. Be careful in Freshwater right now as the summer comes to a close.

-Sea Turtle Sean

I like to eat simply and enjoy rich flavors.  In outdoor cooking this is hard to achieve however this complete meal recipe for Salsa Chicken, Zesty Rice, sticky sweetcorn muffins, and salad hits the spot.

• Served First
  • salad
  • Catalina dressing
  • with peach tea or a Mexican beverage

• Use a Backpackers Pantry “Outback Oven Ultralight” to cook the Salsa Chicken(cooking times vary due to temperature, elevation, and type of stove)
  • Chicken from Alpine Aire Foods or frozen / precooked chicken breasts
  • taco seasoning packet
  • Backpacker’s Pantry Spicy Salsa or  a jar of chunky salsa
    • after the chicken is cooked mix the salsa dripping in to Alpine Aire sour cream powder to make an exciting sauce
    • a wedge of lime for added zest

• Zesty Rice
  • taco seasoning packet, 1 ounce
  • white rice
  • stewed tomatoes, small can
  • diced tomatoes and green chilies, combined in one small can
  • sweet onion

• When the Salsa Chicken is done Use a Backpackers Pantry “Outback Oven Ultralight” to cook sticky sweetcorn muffins
  • Alpine Aire sweetcorn or a can of sweetcorn
  • sweetcorn cake mix

Your tastebuds will enjoy this complete meal, Jeff

People who kayak in Florida are aware of sharks and alligators posing a danger to ones’ life.  Unfortunately, a killer lurks in shallow water that is unnaturally warm and sometimes around power plants.  It is the Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as an Amoeba.  It does not sound scary but an amoeba can get into a person’s nose and cause an infection in the brain and spinal cord.

“Amoebae that live in warm water, soil, and vegetation around the world. N. fowleri may infect humans when water is forced into the nose by diving or jumping into, or swimming underwater in warm, fresh water, stagnant ponds, or lakes, or inadequately maintained public heated swimming pools.  Springs are considered safe because their water temperature consistently remains below 80 degrees, and the organisms need hotter water to thrive.  Once the amoebae enter into the nose, they travel to the brain, causing a disease called Primary Amoebic Meningitis (PAM).  It is a very rare, but serious, disease with a 95% mortality rate, and has been linked to more than 180 deaths worldwide since it was identified in 1965.  It cannot be spread from person to person.”

Another death caused by an amoeba infection prompted this post.  If you are planning to practice your wet exit, self-rescue, and rolls, think about using nose plugs.

-Jeff

More information about amoeba infection, Primary Amoebic Meningitis, caused by Naegleria fowleri…

• Facts
• Man’s death blamed on amoeba infection, Thursday, September 24, 2009
• Central Florida News

Well, Jeff and I have kept it a secret long enough. We just wanted to make sure the trip would be a definite GO!

WE ARE OFFICIALLY HEADED TO DO 5 DAYS, AND JUST UNDER 100 MILES ON THE SUWANNEE RIVER,FLORIDA. I will be doing a series of blogs on our planning and eventually leaving for 1 of the premiere paddling experiences in North America. Launch date: 12/27/09 to 01/01/10. Liquid Rhythm is starting the New Year off Paddling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey All, Just wanted to get this post in as soon as possible. Today on Saturday the 19th of September, Liquid Rhythm paddled the Braden River in Bradenton, Fla. This is a Great area to paddle not only for the really neat water and wildlife that you will soon be surrounded by; also for the simple fact that if you live in Pinellas County,Fla.(as we do) it is just south of the Skyway Bridge on State Road 70 and Braden River Road. The launch is at a place called Jiggs Landing located on Ward Lake. The access to the water is quick and easy at the boat ramp, and its FREE! This may change as the need for upkeep at the landing arises.

When we arrived it was 8:45 a.m. and the weather for the day was expected to be in the upper 80’s to low 90’s. We were greeted by the “Welcoming Committee” , a group of about 60-70 Black Vultures! There are warning signs to secure your vehicle and belongings as the vultures will take interest in these things!!

We awaited are other members of the paddle and gathered our gear. Soon we were in the water and paddling a beautiful blackwater Florida river. As we paddled the talk turned to the swirling breeze that seem to blow down the river just to keep us comfortable as if turned on at the headwaters of the river. May have been in the 80’s, but it sure felt much more comfortable! YES, Fall is coming to Florida! Only us true natives can smell & feel the change in the air. Sorry Transplant Paddlers.(ha,ha)

The group stopped at Linger Lodge, a really cool old Florida Restaurant. We did not eat there, although many people do. Jeff made a wonderful Salsa Chicken drizzled in a white Mexican sour cream sauce with rice and stewed tomatoes and salad and sweet cornbread. Topped off with Peach tea or A Corona Beer! We ate on a white sand beach along the river next to the restaurant, under a tree. Jeff AWESOME LUNCH! dude.

After lunch we paddled back the way we had come with the same breeze pushing us gently back to Ward Lake and Jiggs Landing. Along the way we saw an Alligator, many Turtles, Lesser Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, a rare Tri-Colored Heron, and many White Egrets. There was also splashing often; apparently made by some pretty large fish! We made the full trip in about 4 hours with lunch stop included.

What a FUN time we had on the water and we made a new friend: Rebeca – Thank You for the fun paddle and conversation. We hope to see you again soon! So there you have it! If you live in the Tampa Bay Tri-City Area and would like to go do a neat paddle thats fairly close yet makes you feel like you went far away, CHECK OUT Braden River!!!! Don’t tell me your too busy- GO GET WET!!

-SEA TURTLE Sean-

The last few weeks I have been working with a guest that wanted to learn how to roll their kayak.  It is always interesting to learn why someone wants to learn this skill.  I have also been reading Pam Forsyth’s blog posts about her journy of learning to roll: Rolling as religion, Both sides of the story, . And these things got me thinking on my own evolution as a kayaker into a paddling coach.

Some people roll for attention, others roll for necessity, and a number of paddlers know how to lessen the need of rolling.  I roll for the body awareness, stretching, and abdominal strengthening that can occur when the maneuvers are done correctly.  It can be like yoga with a boat attached to you.  However, Sean thinks that the below cartoon is why I roll.  See, he does not know how to roll…

Bubble Street - 06 June 2006

…without a paddle float…LOL

I never thought I needed a roll until one day the motion of the ocean taught me humility.  I had been paddling for two years…I came out of my kayak in four foot breaking swells between Mullet Key and Egmont Key, Florida.  I was shocked because I had paddled in more challenging waters.  But this time I went over, came out of my boat, and could not get back into it without the assistance of Sean.  I doubted myself, and I was a little fearful of paddling again…

View Larger Map

After that I put my energy into perfecting emergency reentries in rough water, and learning how to roll.  It took me a long time to learn to roll.  I just could not get the rhythm down and it was painful.  Then after several rolling instructors, I met a paddling  coach that told me a secret to rolling.  It was that rolling should not be painful; furthermore, rolling was not important.  A successful roll was a sign of an unsuccessful brace.  Hence, a brace was the key to having fun on the water.  For braces truly let you naturally move without thinking.

I practiced my brace in rough and confused waters near friends that could assist me with a bow, stern, or put-across rescue.  I practiced sculling for support with a modern euro blade paddle.  Then I discovered Greenland Qajaq traditional kayak techniques and learned how to perform side sculling and chest sculling with a Greenland paddle.

balance brace

After all of those hours of practice playing on the edge between clouds and sea grass I discovered that I had not had an unplanned capsize for over a year.  But I had also developed water on the brain.  I fell in love with the allure of Greenland kayaking because it rejects modern technology to embrace the technology of history.  I also think I could have been a seal in a past life… so I started to learn how to roll with a Greenland paddle.

Bubble Street - 12 Feb 2008

I can perform, as well as teach, twelve capsize maneuvers.  But I have realized that the perfect roll always looses against the perfect brace in real life applications.  Rolling improves balance, timing, and bracing.  And a perfect roll in eye shot of a non kayaker can scare off or entice them into trying out this lifestyle.

Nevertheless, playing between air and water does put things into an interesting perspective, and I always have fun when a guest learns how to lessen the chances of an unplanned capsize.

-Jeff