In Memoriam – RIP Keith Wasserman Everglades explorer and mentor.

EEN (Everglades Exploration Network) co-founder

passes on to paddle in peace forever more..

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I was saddened to recently learn that contemporary Everglades explorer and mentor Keith Wasserman had passed away on February 3, 2017. Aside from co-founding the GladesGoDeep (EEN) community site, Keith was well known for his detailed exploratory site – the evergladesdiary.com (no longer active).

http://gladesgodeep.ning.com/forum/topics/in-memoriam-keith-wasserman

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Keith Wasserman (standing in front) during a paddling break on Craighead Pond.

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Keith’s exploratory trips in the Everglades were an inspiration to me as well as many others. The comprehensive everglades diary site was a pioneering achievement early in the digital era when little information was otherwise available. Likewise the founding of the GladesGoDeep network has created a community of dedicated Glades explorers!

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Keith in the lead canoe on a run down the Taylor Slough, with Terry Helmers, Charlie Arazoza, Frank Fernandez & Jose Rosado.

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I remember when I first signed up for the EEN site, I received a PM from Keith asking me what my intention in joining was. My reply was simply “to explore the Everglades”. It’s understandable that he was a lil confused because this site (kayakfari) did not yet exist and my profile only made a reference to an electronic music project I was toying with. It must’ve seemed like an unlikely combination to him! 😉

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Grass paddling on the Taylor Slough in the Everglades, Keith in front canoe.

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I wish I had more pictures of Keith, but I only had a chance to paddle with him on a few occasions. I believe the last time I saw him was in 2013 when he graciously re-opened the gate for me as I was running late for the Grass Paddling in the East Everglades Expansion Area invitational paddle.

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Keith paddling the mangrove mazes near Mahogany Hammock.

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Keith Wasserman after a successful transit of the Lost Portage in 2009.
Image credit: Charlie Arazoza

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Keith, along with Terry Helmers and Charlie Arazoza also made the first recorded transit of the Lost Portage connection in this century (December 2009) !

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Keith paddling the short grass at Mahogany Hammock.

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https://www.southfloridaparks.org/news/in-memoriam-keith-wasserman/

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Keith in his covered canoe.

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Although the excellent evergladesdiary.com is no longer active,

thanks to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine all the information can still be accessed at:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170914134219/http://evergladesdiary.com/

(snapshot dates from Sept 2017 – takes a few moments to load)

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RIP Keith Wasserman – paddler of the Everglades. Thank you!

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Through his efforts, exploits and writings Keith Wasserman

has left a lasting gift for all South Florida paddlers!

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BLESS!

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© 2018 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.com / decoratedreality.com. All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

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DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

With that said..
Blessings friends!