Holiday lights with camera and night paddling action – Rejoice in the moments of Season’s past!

Happy Paddling Holidays!

(tap or click pic)

HAPPY PADDLING HOLIDAYS!
Kayaking a Parade of Lights (Seminole Winterfest Boat Parade)!

.

The Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade has become of the top 20 world-wide parades to see with over ONE MILLION cheering spectators lining up in Ft Lauderdale along the 12 mile route in boats and on shore.

The year 2023 marks what would have been the

52nd annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade

However due to prolonged extreme inclement weather the event had to be cancelled. The strong 25 to 35+ knot easterly winds and driving rain have postponed or cancelled all of South Florida’s 2023 Holiday Parades! 😦

.

HAPPY PADDLING HOLIDAYS !

.

My own Holiday Parade paddling goes back to 1997 with the crew from the “Waterways Kayak” shop in Hollywood, which was then and still remains to this day the biggest kayak pro shop that South Florida has ever seen!

.

Happy Paddling Holidays from 1998 with the Waterways Kayak crowd! 🙂

.

Late 1990s Winterfest Holiday Parade run with the Banana Boat and Stick or Wing. 😉

.

Since moving back to South Florida in 2006, I have paddled the main Winterfest Parade every year except for 2012 when I was photographing and “spectating” in a canoe. The 2020 Winterfest was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and now 2023’s Winterfest also cancelled due to seriously bad weather. The Ft Lauderdale Winterfest Parade route has not changed since 2007 when it was extended to start in downtown Ft Lauderdale rather than by Port Everglades in years prior to that. In 2008 the Parade organizers started placing all non-motorized watercraft at the head of the Parade, instead of the tail end.

So as paddlers,

we are always leading the Winterfest Boat Parade! 🙂

Through the years, the former Kayak Jeff shop in Dania also organized a run of the Parade in 2008. However it was with the South Florida Kayaking Meetup that all the subsequent yearly runs have taken place, and it was at this time that the late Whitney Turner took the helm as organizer along with Kayak Ted. Currently it’s Kayak Ted of the Palm Beach Water Yaks group who organizes the Winterfest Parade paddling event. Ted also organizes paddles of the other two South Florida Holiday Parades, namely in Boca Raton and Pompano Beach. I have had the great pleasure of participating in all the events listed below and owe a debt of gratitude to both of the aforementioned gentlemen! It has also given me much joy over the years to document these events, all the while having fun experimenting with with different photographic techniques for you viewing pleasure!

.

Please enjoy and

HAPPY PADDLING HOLIDAYS!

🙂

Holiday waterfront decorations in Ft Lauderdale.

.

Ho Ho Ho – Happy Holidays, Florida style!

.

“Paddle to Paradise” with Kayak Whitney and Kayak Ted flying the KayakJeff.com shop banner.
Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade flashback to 2008!

.

“I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas”!🙂

.

Beautiful colors and lights of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade!

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the South Florida Kayak Meetup crew!

.

Watching the Seminole Winterfest Boat Parade procession from kayaks – the best seat in the house!
CLICK for interactive panorama!

.

Have you been a good boy / girl ? (choose one)

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Happy Kayaking Holidays South Florida! 🙂

.

I’m just sitting here in my kayak watching the boats go round and round.
Ft Lauderdale Seminole Winterfest Boat parade panorama.
CLICK for superwide interactive panorama!

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“Om, sweet Ohm!“

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Watching the Boca Raton fireworks show in my kayak.

.

This one goes out to you Kayak Whitney. Paddle ON!

.

Kayak Ted : “The Boat Parade is coming, the Boat Parade is coming!”

.

“The Grinch“!

.

Whipped It Good – Winterfest Boat Parade 2018!

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Winterfest Boat Parade and Ft. Lauderdale are you ready for this?
Aliens – check, Sombrero – check, Holiday spirit – check!

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Are we not paddlers? We are DEVO !!
Image from GRAPEK Photography Online used by permission.
Whipped It Good – Winterfest Boat Parade 2018!

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Santa is off and paddling into Boca!

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Kayak Ted styling with Rudolph leading the way in the Pompano Holiday Parade!

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Paddling CLOUD9 on the 2020 Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade!
Great photo provided by RG Iossi of fksa.org, used by permission.

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Rudolph enjoying the 2022 Winterfest Christmas Parade.

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A kayaker’s Holiday tribute to the humble and versatile Sombrero!

.

.

The South Florida Holiday Parade paddling events:

Prior to 2013 all the previous Parade runs were condensed into my original story:

Kayaking a Parade of Lights (Seminole Winterfest Boat Parade)!

.

.

Kayaking the Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade (2013).

.

Kayaking the 2014 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade.

.

Kayaking the 2014 Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade.

.

Paddling the 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade through Ft Lauderdale.

.

Paddling the windy 2016 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade on the New River!

.

Kayaking the 2016 Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade with Rudolph!

.

Kayaking the 2017 Winterfest Boat Parade through Ft Lauderdale!

.

Whipped It Good – Winterfest Boat Parade 2018!

.

Paddling the 2018 Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade – Santa Claus is paddling to town!

.

Paddling the 2019 Winterfest Boat Parade – seeing the Light(s)!

.

Paddling the 2020 Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade.

.

Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade 2021 – First Annual Whitney Turner Holiday Parade Paddle.

.

Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade 2022 – the second Annual Whitney Turner Holiday Parade Paddle.

.

More on paddling the main Winterfest Parade:

Kayaking a Parade of Lights (Seminole Winterfest Boat Parade)!

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2023 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.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!

…

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!

🙂

 

 

The Time-release Dose – Boca Chita Key and lighthouse on Biscayne Bay.

In many ways Boca Chita Key remains to this day like a

“Fantasy Island”.

Whereas in the past it was private playground for the

rich and famous, today anyone can visit this island.

.

(tap or click pic to read)

In front of Boca Chita lighthouse aboard “REDRUM”, my Nigel Foster Silhouette.
Boca Chita – kayaking to a Fantasy Island on Biscayne Bay!

.

Black Point to Boca Chita Key:

Twenty one miles of open water paddling on Biscayne Bay!

Most visitors come by powerboat. a few by a tour boat and fewer still by kayak. This is because it’s a 10 mile open water paddle across Biscayne Bay to get there!

This is a kind of semi urban paddling, where you can get away from the city and yet always see the Miami area skyline on the horizon.

Once out there on the barrier islands of Biscayne National Park,

you are truly on island time!

.

Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/florida-bay-keys/boca-chita-kayaking-to-a-fantasy-island-on-biscayne-bay/

.

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2022 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂

The Time-release Dose – Paddling in the Rain!

I’m happy again…

Just Paddlin’ in the Rain!

.

(tap or click pic to read)

Wet surfski workout session paddling through Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale.
Paddling in the Rain, Just Paddlin’ and Campin’ in the Rain .. sing along!

.

(** Cue music **)

Sing along to the music, ya’ll can paddle if you want to ..

Sing along .. Paddling in the Rain, Just Paddlin’ and Campin’ in the Rain!

.

Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/thematic/paddling-in-the-rain-just-paddlin-and-campin-in-the-rain-sing-along/

.

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2022 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂

The Daily Dose – “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.”

Black Point to Boca Chita Key:

Twenty one miles paddling on Biscayne Bay.

.

(tap or click pic to read)

Sexy kayaks on Boca Chita beach surrounded by the clear waters of Biscayne National Park.
Boca Chita – kayaking to a Fantasy Island on Biscayne Bay!

.

In many ways Boca Chita Key remains to this day like a “Fantasy Island”. Whereas in the past it was private playground for the rich and famous, today anyone can visit or even camp on the island. Most visitors come by powerboat. a few by a tour boat and fewer still by kayak. This is because it’s a 10 mile open water paddle across Biscayne Bay to get there!

This is a kind of semi urban paddling, where you can get away from the city and yet always see the Miami area skyline on the horizon.

Once out there on the barrier islands of Biscayne National Park,

you are truly on island time!

.

(Title quotation from Ralph W. Sockman)

.

Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/florida-bay-keys/boca-chita-kayaking-to-a-fantasy-island-on-biscayne-bay/

.

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2022 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂

The Daily Dose – Sand from far away, coming to a beach near me!

Moving sand from Lake O. to Dania Beach,

one truck at a time.

.

(tap or click pic to read)

At the end of 2021, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is a construction zone!
The shifting sands of time – Beach erosion and re-nourishments in Dania Beach.

.

The quiet* and beautiful Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is currently undergoing a months long beach re-nourishment plan!

Formerly known as John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, it also includes Whiskey Creek – a very popular paddling spot.  The Park is the last remaining undeveloped beach and quite possibly the nicest natural place in all of Broward County.

The sand is being trucked in from large sand deposit pits near Lake Okeechobee, with about 22222 hauled loads needed to complete the project.

This means that for six months a truck will be rolling into the Park every three minutes!

.

(* Quiet not available until May 2022!)

.

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/reality-check/the-shifting-sands-of-time-beach-erosion-and-re-nourishments-in-dania-beach/

.

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2022 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂

The Daily Dose – Holiday lights, my camera and night paddling action.

Happy Paddling

South Florida’s Holiday Boat Parades!

.

(tap or click pic)

HAPPY PADDLING HOLIDAYS!
Kayaking a Parade of Lights (Seminole Winterfest Boat Parade)!

.

The Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade has become of the top 20 world-wide parades to see with over ONE MILLION cheering spectators lining the 12 mile route in boats and on shore.

The year 2021 marked the

50th annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade

.

My own Holiday Parade paddling goes back to 1997 with the crew from the “Waterways Kayak” shop, which was then and still remains to this day the biggest kayak pro shop that South Florida has ever seen! Since moving back to South Florida in 2006, I have paddled the main Winterfest Parade every year except for 2012 when I was “spectating” and in 2020 when it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ft Lauderdale Winterfest Parade route has not changed since 2007 when it was extended to start in downtown Ft Lauderdale rather than by Port Everglades in years prior to that. In 2008 the Parade organizers started placing all non-motorized watercraft at the head of the Parade, instead of the tail end.

So as paddlers,

we are always leading the Winterfest Boat Parade!

🙂

Through the years, the Kayak Jeff shop also organized a run of the Parade. However it was with the South Florida Kayaking Meetup that all the regular subsequent runs took place, organized by the late Whitney Turner and currently by Kayak Ted of the Palm Beach Water Yaks group. Ted has also organized and pioneered additional runs of other South Florida Holiday Parades, namely in Boca Raton and Pompano Beach. I have had the great pleasure of participating in all the events listed below and owe a debt of gratitude to both of the aforementioned gentlemen! It has also given me much joy over the years to document these events, all the while having fun experimenting with with different photographic techniques for you viewing pleasure!

.

Please enjoy and

HAPPY PADDLING HOLIDAYS!

.

The Parade paddling events:

Prior to 2013 all the previous Parade runs were condensed into my original story

Kayaking a Parade of Lights (Seminole Winterfest Boat Parade)!

.

Kayaking the Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade (2013).

.

Kayaking the 2014 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade.

.

Kayaking the 2014 Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade.

.

Paddling the 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade through Ft Lauderdale.

.

Paddling the windy 2016 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade on the New River!

.

Kayaking the 2016 Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade with Rudolph!

.

Kayaking the 2017 Winterfest Boat Parade through Ft Lauderdale!

.

Whipped It Good – Winterfest Boat Parade 2018!

.

Paddling the 2019 Winterfest Boat Parade – seeing the Light(s)!

.

Paddling the 2020 Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade.

.

Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade 2021 – First Annual Whitney Turner Holiday Parade Paddle.

.

More on paddling the main Winterfest Parade:

Kayaking a Parade of Lights (Seminole Winterfest Boat Parade)!

.

.

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2021 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂

 

 

The Daily Dose – Paddling has been my affordable health care plan for 30 years.

Taking care of mind, body & soul!

.

Giving Thanks – 30 year Kayakversary of

“Fitness, Adventure and Art on the High Seas”.

(tap or click pic to read)

“What a long, strange Trip it’s been!”
Giving Thanks for 30 years of active paddling, adventure and photography!

.

Every paddle is like a new beginning and always different –

the eternal freshness of a new beginning.

Paddling never gets old!

.

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/reality-check/giving-thanks-for-25-years-of-active-paddling-and-photography/

.

.

.

! Bless UP & TESTIFY

.

.

© 2021 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂

The Daily Dose – Cheers to the hardworking tugs on the Miami River!

I never planned to escort a freighter out

the Miami River,

but it proved to be an interesting experience!

.

(tap or click pic to read)

Metals recycling in action along the industrial Miami River. Some of this ends up as cargo on freighters bound for the Caribbean islands.
Escorting the Betty K VIII out the Miami River and into Biscayne Bay!

.

The Betty K VIII is a 250 ft long freighter with a 43 ft beam, launched by the Betty K Line company in 2014 to make regular runs between Miami and the Bahamas.

Two powerful tugs thread her up and down the Miami River three times a week!

The front tug pulls the freighter at kayaking speed, while the rear tug does most of the steering and braking.

Two lines are used to rein in the ship with the rear tug constantly swinging from one side to the other to keep the ship in the middle of the channel.

It’s really impressive to see the action firsthand!

.

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/reality-check/escorting-the-betty-k-viii-out-the-miami-river-and-into-biscayne-bay/

.

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2021 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂

The Daily Dose – Hot Manati Lips!

The Manati Tugs on the Miami River are

always ready for a Tug job!

.

“Hello Hot Lips!”
ART of the River – Hot Lips that kissed Miami Ships!

.

“You can put lipstick on a tug, but it’s still a tug!”

.

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/kayakfari-art/art-of-the-river-hot-lips-that-kissed-ships/

.

.

.

! Bless UP

.

.

© 2021 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.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!

…

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!

🙂