Coronavirus Quarantine Kayaking Dose – Day 16 : Seventeen mile loop around Ft Lauderdale

Quick 17 mile paddling loop on the New River – Dania Cutoff Canal in Ft Lauderdale!

Getting some on-the-water quality time is important to me because I get most of my exercise from paddling. For the record, I did not stop anywhere, did not buy anything, did not touch anything. This session I took out my K1 trainer kayak RGB and met up with local paddlers Ross E. and Efrat A. who paddled an OC-2. We maintained safe social distancing paddling practices!

The stay at home order for the State of Florida is meant to keep the Covid-19 virus from spreading person to person. However the order specifically allows outdoor recreation and exercise as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Therefore there is nothing wrong here, in fact being outdoors on such a nice day can only improve health!!

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New River – Dania Cutoff Canal paddling loop around Ft Lauderdale is 17 miles with several places to get on or off.

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Which way to go ??
Go with the flow – the tidal flow!

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First we had to get past the manatee! 😉

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Local paddlers Ross E. and Efrat A. in “Hot Stuff” an OC-2.

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Downtown ft Lauderdale was quiet and idle though we saw several other paddlers on the water!

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Ft Lauderdale beach used to be like this!

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Efrat paddling through Ft Lauderdale.

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On the intracoastal waterway.

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Father and son fishing off a dock in Ft Lauderdale.

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Ft Lauderdale’s iconic 17th Street tall bridge!

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RGB on the shoal inside Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale. “RGB” is my versatile Kirton K1 trainer fitness kayak.
ART of Primary Colors – the RGB on my CRT!

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That’s Hot Stuff right there!! 😮

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Weekend boating traffic was steady, and remember that Port Everglades inlet is a busy 24/7 SHIPPING LANE and a FULL SPEED boating zone! Big ships can not and will not stop, and fast moving boaters may not see even you!

Be sure you know EXACTLY what you’re doing before venturing inside or crossing the inlet !!

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Ross and Efrat paddling past the virus stricken cruise ships in ft Lauderdale.

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We are all living on the Edge in Ft Lauderdale!

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Efrat and Ross paddling along the edge. 😮

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Big ship meets little ship in Port Everglades.

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Port Everglades was a ghost town on Sunday!

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Sneaking under ..

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Back into the loop .. was a nice paddle! 🙂

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Social Distancing and paddling together!
Photo credit: Ross Elder – CLICK for video!

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Be well and exercise !!

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Escape!

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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.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.

All rights reserved!

…

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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

 

Coronavirus Quarantine Kayaking Dose – Day 13 : Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ship encounter

On the water again and a chance encounter

in Port Everglades!

These days people are all cooped up and seemingly about to blow their lids. So getting some on-the-water quality time is more important than ever. For the record, I did not stop anywhere, did not buy anything, did not touch anything. I did meet up with local paddlers Ross E. and Efrat A. who paddled in their OC-2, but we maintained safe social distance practices!

The stay at home order for the State of Florida is a good idea to keep the Covid-19 virus from spreading person to person. However the order also specifically allows outdoor recreation and exercise as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Therefore we are doing nothing wrong here, in fact being outdoors on such a beautiful day can only improve our health!!

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“Hot Stuff” – Ross and Efrat cruising in the Huki V2-X OC-2

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Ross named his OC-2 “Hot Stuff” and has some cool graphics to go along with it. This made for an interesting pairing with my ‘Grey Ghost’ – a Stellar SES surfski. I wasn’t sure who would be racing whom, but it turns out we kinda took turns. I’d say in chop I could sprint ahead for a bit, while in flat water the extra waterline length and power of the OC-2 made me work hard to keep up!

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We arrived near Port Everglades just in time to see the MS Rotterdam coming into port.

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Local paddler Efrat takes a break while the ship comes in.

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I don’t think that any of us knew it, but we arrived near Port Everglades inlet just in time to see the MS Rotterdam coming in to dock. It along with the sister ship MS Zaandam have been in the news lately as no port was willing to receive them because of multiple Coronavirus cases and deaths on board! The several hundred passengers on board the two vessels will finally be able to go home and the sick will get the treatment they need. I’m glad the authorities were able to work it out and take care of all those people!

Coronavirus-hit cruise ships dock in Florida as yet more wait at sea

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Watching the action unfold with helicopters overhead.

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The Grey Ghost and the MS Rotterdam in Port Everglades, Ft Lauderdale.

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Cruise ships dock at Port Everglades; critically ill passengers will be taken to Broward Health

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The Grey Ghost meets Hot Stuff amid the pandemic !!

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Out on the ocean ..

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Necessary ocean swim break! 🙂

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The money shot of Ross and Efrat paddling on the ocean.

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Good paddling with you guyz!!

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Take some time out and remember to look UP.

There’s a show going on in the sky!

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Quick shot of the Orion Nebula M42.
ART of Darkness – Camping with the Stars! Part II

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Close conjunction of Venus and Pleiades this evening!!
ART of Darkness – Camping with the Stars! Part II

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Be well friends, this too shall pass!!

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Escape!

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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.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.

All rights reserved!

…

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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

 

Federal Law Forbids Sale or Re-use of This Bottle!

I found a liquor flask in the Everglades

so I drank it!

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“Federal Law Forbids Sale or Re-use of this Bottle”
Post Hurricane Irma high water paddling in the Everglades!

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April Fools’!

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OK, so it was empty, but a cool find none the less!

This is actually the second one that I have found, this time along the shores of Florida Bay.

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“FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR REUSE OF THIS BOTTLE”

The embossed text on the bottle/flask pertains to a Federal law that went into effect in 1935 and was on the books until 1964.

The law was intended to prevent illegal distillers from refilling legitimate bottles with their moonshine!

So this is a vintage bottle from the post-Prohibition era.

Whether or not it was part of a clandestine moonshine operation or just somebody’s personal refuse we shall never know. But there were many moonshine operations in the Everglades for decades!!

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Read more at:

Post Hurricane Irma high water paddling in the Everglades!

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Real liquor still site hidden deep in the Everglades’ 10000 Islands:

ART at Liquor Still Bay – hidden history in the Everglades

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Crossing paths of Gladesmen, Gator hunters, Outlaws & Moonshiners: An invitation to paddling forgotten trails of the Everglades!

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Grass Paddling in the East Everglades Expansion Area – History, Gladesmen & more Grass!

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“You want blood?”

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Be well friends!!

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Bless UP!

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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.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.

All rights reserved!

…

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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

 

Cabin Fever – feat. Four Walls & the Eyes!

The .. walls .. have .. eyes! 😮

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The Coronavirus global pandemic of 2020 has forced many people to isolate themselves to prevent transmission on the novel Covid-19 virus. Necessary, drastic steps as not seen in living memory! Many are stuck indoors in apartments and homes looking at the four walls around them.

Some years ago I experienced something similar living in a tiny cedar cabin while guiding in northern Michigan. The sparsely populated small town of Cedarville was quite a change of pace from urban S Florida!

The walls of my cabin were lined with planks of cedar, and eyes literally popped out of the wood work.

The eyes of the forest were looking back at me!

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(click pic – eyes are waiting!)

I’m in bed with a fever – cabin fever .. that is.
Cabin Fever – when the walls have eyes!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/humor/cabin-fever-when-the-walls-have-eyes/

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Be well friends!!

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Bless UP!

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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.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.

All rights reserved!

…

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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

.

With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

 

Coronavirus Quarantine Kayaking Dose – Day 5 : I escaped!

::: Day 5 :::

Escape from Fortress South Florida!

When it seems like people are all cooped up and about to blow their lids, getting some on-the-water quality time by yourself is more important than ever. I was able to get out today by myself. I did not stop anywhere, did not buy anything, did not touch anything. I did meet a fellow escapee paddler and a couple on SUPs, but we maintained safe social distances!

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Things are really changing fast – a week ago I was still beach launching my Stellar SES !!
The launching of the Grey Ghost (Stellar SES Multisport surfski).

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Is it wrong to want to be out on the water by yourself?

No!

I love paddling and working out in my Stellar SES surfski, aka the ‘Grey Ghost‘. I often paddle solo fitness sessions, so the current social distancing measures have not changed my paddling except that it’s now hard to find a place to launch from. I understand the serious situation we are in, however I also feel that getting on the water is important for mental well-being to get through this crisis.

There is no better way to self-isolate than to be paddling!

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The Independence of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world was in Port Everglades today.

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The huge ship has it’s own water park entertainment on top!

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A serene scene which hides the chaos that is unfolding before us now .. 😮

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Self quarantine, Social Distancing and isolation?

Yes. Another day fitness paddling!

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Just offshore, south of Port Everglades inlet.

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Enjoying a refreshing swim in the Atlantic alongside the Grey Ghost. I needed this!!

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Independence of the Seas is so big, it can’t hope to hide behind the MJ Park vegetation.

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The desolate beach and large cruise ship remind me of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma back in 2017.
Hurricane Irma aftermath at Dania Beach and Mizell Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park.

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Huge cruise ships like the Independence can set off dangerous currents in and around this inlet!!
Rip current hydraulic – a cruise ship so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!

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Traffic was light today, but remember that Port Everglades inlet is a busy 24/7 SHIPPING LANE and a FULL SPEED boating zone! Big ships can not and will not stop, and fast moving boaters may not see even you!

It’s best not to venture inside or cross the inlet unless you know EXACTLY what you’re doing!!

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The Grey Ghost meets the Independence of the Seas! (As close as I will get ..)

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The impressive stacks of the Independence of the Seas.

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The Port is Alive with Music! (Industrial type music, that is..)

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Paddling the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic worldwide shutdown and now stay-at-home / lock-out!

It takes a crisis of this magnitude to expose the incompetence, inequalities and hypocrisy we otherwise put up with, day to day. One of these is the lack of adequate put-ins for paddlers and the dismal quality of our waterways!

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Another escapee from Fortress South Florida – local paddler Eric Z. in his beautiful custom wooden sea kayak.
Note that we are maintaining a safe distance!

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Sneak shot of Eric on his way back to the put-in .. keep on paddlin’! 🙂

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Upon returning home, I learned that Broward county is now under a stay-at-home order! The order however allows for individual outdoor exercise while maintaining social distancing guidelines. So it appears that we can keep paddling! 🙂

I am truly thankful to have escaped for a couple of hours of paddling today.

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Be well friends, this shall pass!!

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Escape!

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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.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.

All rights reserved!

…

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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

.

With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

 

Coronavirus Quarantine Kayaking Dose – Day 3 : on the water again!

::: Day 3 :::

Kayaking withdrawal!

What happens when you stop paddling?

Kayaking has what doctors call a euphoric and calming effect on your system. It enhances brain and body function and changes the way your nerves interact with each other.
Over time, your central nervous system adjusts to being on the water all the time. While your body works hard, your brain stays in a more relaxed state.
When kayaking activity suddenly stops, both your body and brain are left in a state of limbo.

It’s the anticipation that causes the withdrawal!

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It’s getting tough to find a place to launch in Broward county, Florida.
I had to dig deep into the mid-90’s to remember this spot! 😉

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What Are the Symptoms?

Mild symptoms can show up as early as 24 hours after you put down your paddle.

These can include:

I began to acutely experience all the withdrawal symptoms and

knew I had to get my kayaking fix on – and get it FAST!

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Free at last and on the water again! Just one Fix, PLEASE! 🙂

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Self quarantine, Social Distancing and isolation?

Yes. Another day on the water!

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Things are changing fast – less than a week ago I was beach launching from MJ Park..
Paddling and the Corona Virus Pandemic – bring on the private sessions!

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Now, Florida State Parks are closed – no water access!
Paddling on Whiskey Creek at Mizell-Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park in Dania Beach.

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MJ Park paddling concession shut down.
Paddling on Whiskey Creek at Mizell-Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park in Dania Beach.

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“You can get FREE Wi-Fi, but you can’t stay here!”
Paddling on Whiskey Creek at Mizell-Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park in Dania Beach.

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Paddling the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic worldwide shutdown and now lockout!

It takes a crisis of this magnitude to show bare to all the incompetence, inadequacies and inequalities we otherwise put up with, day to day!

It also shows us how little (or no) consideration paddlers receive in South Florida. We may think there’s a lot of us, but there are many more boaters. As the authorities close down all water access to the boaters, we are also left out!

Is it wrong to want to be out on the water by yourself?

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Paddling north on the intracoastal waterway. Industrial Port Everglades on left, MJ State Park on right.
Paddling on Whiskey Creek at Mizell-Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park in Dania Beach.

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WTF! Go paddle America!!
(or pedal, in this case..)

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As expected, traffic on the water was very light. I did come across two other “paddlers”, but I’m not sure if they count.

One was in a motorized canoe, the other was pedaling, not paddling! 😉

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Out in the open Atlantic and the wild blue yonder! 🙂

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The beach was vacant, noting but footprints.

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“Why don’t we all just self-quarantine together?!” ( j/k )
Rip current hydraulic – a cruise ship so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!

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“RGB” is my versatile Kirton K1 trainer fitness kayak.
ART of Primary Colors – the RGB on my CRT!

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Low tide beach cove inside Port Everglades inlet was a good place to pop out for a refreshing swim.

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Port Everglades is a busy shipping channel 24/7 !

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Seawall on the north side of the inlet – definitely stay away from here under normal conditions!

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Ever changing sandbar where the inlet meets the intracoastal waterway. It was a slow day, as expected.

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I be remiss if I did not point out the tricky currents and conditions around this inlet!!
Rip current hydraulic – a cruise ship so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!

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Traffic was very light today, but remember that Port Everglades inlet is a busy SHIPPING LANE and a FULL SPEED boating zone! Ships can not and will not stop, and fast moving boaters may not see you!

It’s best not to venture inside or cross the inlet unless you know EXACTLY what you’re doing!!

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Loading cranes at Port Everglades.

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Wouldn’t this be something? Stay well!

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My sanity has been restored after just a couple of hours of paddling.

Be well friends!!

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Just one Fix!

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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.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.

All rights reserved!

…

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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

.

With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

 

Coronavirus Quarantine Kayaking Dose – Day 2

No paddling today,

further water access restrictions implemented in South Florida. 😦

 

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic worldwide shutdown and lockout enabled me to finish up this custom SOT foot plate project!

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(click pic for details)

RTM Disco kayak customization on Day 2 of my Coronavirus self quarantine, social distancing and involuntary vacation.
Custom SOT kayak solid foot plate for the RTM Disco!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/tech/custom-sot-kayak-solid-foot-plate-for-the-rtm-disco/

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When the going gets tough, the tough go Disco.

See you on the water!

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Bless UP!

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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.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.

All rights reserved!

…

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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

.

With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂