Adventures in a Kayak with Aj
Adventures in a Kayak with Aj
The original date for completion did not come to fruition. My original goal was to complete the 1,515 miles of the CT by September 2022, when I turn 70 years old; however, several setbacks along the way have hindered my progress. It has taken me …
There is no wind in the morning, that is okay, for the morning air is cool. Tranquil water allows me to loosen my muscles and gives me time to check my deck gear, ensure everything is secure, and adjust my course heading. Flat water, mirror-like, …
I have just started reading the book Tides: The Science and Sprit of the Ocean by Jonathan White, it got me thinking about my last outing on the CT trail and the problems I have encountered with tides, for that matter, all the tide-related problems I have encountered while on the CT trail.
I have been warned numerous times about being mindful of the tides. When hearing the warnings, the water current came to mind since river currents dominated my experience. The rise and fall of the tides create strong currents to be dealt with, but that is not all, as I have found out the hard way.
Backshores, an excellent place to camp, typically have two sets of debris lines, marked by high tide wrack and storm wrack, but sometimes those lines are blurred. It may seem understandable to camp above high tide, but locating the high tide mark when forced to camp on a narrow beach is challenging. Last fall, I set up my tent in what I thought was a wide enough backshore, only to be awakened by the sound of wavelets inches away. Without another site within miles, I had no choice but to pack up and launch into the night (another story in itself.)
I recently found myself between the mainland coast and a group of near-shore islands. We had been paddling on the gulf miles from shore, so I had lost track of the tide. The wind forced us to seek refuge and continue behind near-shore islands. The water level was high enough for us to enter the channel, but we started to bottom out in less than an hour. We could “strong arm” our way over sand and mud bars, but mud flats held us back within sight of our destination. We had no choice but to wait for the flood tide to continue. Only to be stopped yards away from the boat ramp.
Well, the impatient person and smart feller I am, I hitched a tow on an airboat. Gloating with pride at the ramp, I attempted to exit the kayak gracefully as people watched, only to slip and roll into a soup of silt and mud. Covered from head to toe with fermented silt, I was forced to walk across a county park to the outdoor showers.
For two days, I was the talk of the campground.
“Did you hear about the guy that fell in the mud?”
“That was you??” Smirk, smirk.
A blanket of dark clouds hovered over me as I stepped out of my tent. Coffee usually brightens my morning, but not this morning – the stove refused to work. Thankfully, instant coffee does dissolve in cold water, so I was still able to get …
Jun 19, 2022 Northern wind-tossed waves came at me broadside all day, forcing me to stay alert and watch my path. The winds brought with them hot, dry air, reaching 94°. Usually, a breeze will cool, but not this day; it felt like being …
Six months after stopping at St. Andrews State Park, for a Christmas to New Year’s Day break, I finally restarted on June 19, 2022.
Debbie dropped me off at the boat ramp past noon. It was late afternoon when I was loaded and ready to go.
Heavy boat traffic made it impossible to cross the Saint Andrews Bay inlet safely. At first, I stayed in the kayak, waiting for an opening to dash across the channel. After a while of watching every type of imaginable boat (pontoon boats, jet skies, fishing boats, sailboats, power boats, a boat made to look like a buccaneer pirate ship, boats with shark teeth painted on the prows), I went to the north shore and waited to watch the parties go by.
The sun had started to slide behind the horizon before it was safe to cross.
With the kayak secured to the bed and cab of the pick-up truck, on Saturday, November 27, 2021, we departed on a 421-mile road trip to Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola, Florida. Over the previous two months, I had made plans and arrangements to paddle …
The following is an article that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, Section 6, October 24, 2021. The article was written by Patrick Connolly, Central Florida Explorer. Note: The first photograph with all the kayaks was taken by John Shinner and was provided to the Sentinel …
Before I knew it, I had started the CT in sections. Julie and Lynette invited me to join them on paddling their next section. From Carrabelle ,a city in Franklin County along Florida’s Panhandle, to Ochlockonee River State Park, in Wakulla County. Julie even offered the use of one of her kayaks, for ease of transportation.
At the end of the first day we camped on a bluff overlooking the New River. We slept good without and bear visitations. We did take precautions to reduce food scents that might draw bears. In the morning we were greeted with bark howls of coyotes culminating in the group’s yipping greeting.
The following morning everything that was not properly stuffed into dry bags was wet. Our cloths were still damp from the previous days shower.
Our breakfast companion. Even a tiny spider is beautiful when one stops to admire patterns of its exoskeleton. It did not bother us, nor did we disturb it. After all, it was in its home.
Sharing the experience is part of my journey. I hope you have enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave a comment. AjR
Going back to the basics is vital. About 25 years ago, I took kayaking classes; however, I felt like a novice this weekend. In a touring kayak where one wears a spray skirt that keeps the water from flooding the cockpit, one must know how …