The Time-release Dose – A Declaration of Independence from Land!

Seeking Higher ground and

Faith in Numbers in the Lower Keys!

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(tap or click pic to read)

“Higher ground.”
Exploring a Higher Ground in the Lower Keys! Part I.

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Part I : Camping on a sandbar shoal and paddling the Barracuda, Marvin  and the Snipe Keys.

What’s real nice about a sandbar is that since it is surrounded by water and there’s no vegetation, there are absolutely no bugs to deal with. On the flip side, it gets hot under the summer sun, so it helps to bring your own shade in the form of an umbrella or a Sombrero.

If you decide to work on your tan, don’t forget to flip over.

You wouldn’t want to go home half baked!

As luck would have it, this summer trip occurred near the full moon and the tidal ranges were at the extremes for the Keys! The little sandbar shoal was just about underwater during the daytime high tide, and conversely the daytime low left the seabed exposed almost as far as the eye could see. The “top” of this shoal was smaller than a typical living room. The shape of the high ground “living room” was an interesting contoured triangle type shape that is often found repeated in nature.

Summertime kayaking and exploration of the

lower Keys backcountry.

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Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/higher-ground-in-the-lower-keys-and-faith-in-numbers/exploring-a-higher-ground-in-the-lower-keys/

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! Bless UP

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© 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 – “Watch out for them airboaters, they’re all drunks!”

That’s what the good natured airboat operator

quipped as he pulled into the hammock camp.

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(tap or click pic to read)

Miami adventurer Leah stands up in her sea kayak and surveys the sea of grass.
Grass Paddling in the East Everglades Expansion Area – History, Gladesmen & more Grass!

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The airboater was quite surprised to see a bunch of canoeists and kayakers already there at the dock, including (then) Everglades National Park Superintendent Dan Kimball!

Out on this sea of grass, it’s important to be able to stand up and see over all the tall grass! This is easy in a canoe, but much harder in a narrow sea kayak. Fortunately, the shallow depth and extensive vegetation cradle the hull and make this easier. Using the paddle as a support pole also helps.

The biggest challenge to paddling a long sea kayak in the grass is that you have to pick your line exactly and stick with it! The long kayak acts a lot like a knife blade – easy to push through the vegetation, but nearly impossible to turn sideways from a dead stop. It really helps to keep constantly moving, and you need to edge the boat because the rudder or rudder strokes are useless and unworkable in the grass. The few times I got off track I had to back up like a semi truck (beep beep .. beep beep) and start my line up again!

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Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/grass-paddling-in-the-east-everglades-expansion-area/

Revised and updated for your reading pleasure!

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! Bless UP

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© 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!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

The Time-release Dose – The key to a Higher Ground was my Faith in Numbers!

Summertime kayaking and exploration of the

lower Keys backcountry.

Part III

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(tap or click pic to read)

Between sunset and the moonrise, the low tide had bottomed out for the night on the sandbar.
Temporary tidal space and Faith in Numbers!

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Mathematics is the language of the universe,

so it makes sense to trust the numbers!

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Returning back to the little sandbar “base” described in Part One: Exploring a Higher Ground!, it was nice to kick back and enjoy the late afternoon. After hours of paddling and snorkeling, we came back as a matter of choice. Out on the sandbar with no vegetation and a steady breeze we were assured of bug-free living. Looking at my tide table notes, I realized that the night time high tide was predicted to be only about half of the daytime high. We could see where the daytime high had topped out, so I was 99% confident we’d stay dry at the very “top” of the sandbar throughout the night.

This is what I mean by Faith in Numbers!

A lot of us live out most of our busy modern lives indoors, so spending a 24 hour cycle in the middle of nowhere really helps to put everything into perspective. The psychological comfort crutches we reaffirm on a daily basis seem somewhat silly and naive as illusions of any kind of control fade away.

We all live fragilely exposed and fully vulnerable on our little planet spinning in the vast interstellar wilderness of the cosmos. For some this may seem disturbing, but I take comfort in the odds, the numbers as it were.

In the short term,

those odds are with us at least.

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/higher-ground-in-the-lower-keys-and-faith-in-numbers/temporary-tidal-space-and-faith-in-numbers/

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! Bless UP

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© 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 Time-release Dose – A Greenland stick in the tropics.

Summertime kayaking and exploration of the

lower Keys backcountry.

Part II

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(tap or click pic to read)

My favorite Greenland stick to power the Banana Boat (Seda Glider).
A Lower Keys Roundabout: Marvin Key and Snipe Point!

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Sandbar shoal camping and exploring the Barracuda, Marvin and  Snipe Keys.

My cruising kayak, the “Banana Boat” is a long boat at almost 20 feet. I’ve been using the same Greenland stick to propel her for over 20 years. At 6’2″, my body happens to be the perfect interface between my 20 foot boat and the 97 inch Greenland stick. Is it a paddle or a blade? It is both at the same time! One of the best things about this particular stick is the nice “spring” or “kick” I can get out of it when paddling. It’s very comfortable to hold without gloves and is also very lightweight and self-buoyant.

The simple beauty and smooth paddling style of the stick is really hard to beat. While it may look like a shaved down piece of 2×4, the simplicity is deceptive as the shape and motion embodies some advanced mathematical and fluid dynamics concepts. The Inuit natives who developed and refined it didn’t have to understand any of that. Out of necessity they used the sparse materials available to them to create this tool.

The Greenland stick is among those few inventions that can’t hardly

be improved upon, even after thousands of years.

The sandbar we beached on just south of the Barracuda Keys was an unexpected bonus because of it’s location near the edge of the Gulf. It made a great starting point for exploration of the nearby keys that are fairly closely clustered. For instance Marvin Key is only a mile, and Snipe Point just another couple of miles more! It made sense to check them both out in a big loop of about seven or eight miles.

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Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/higher-ground-in-the-lower-keys-and-faith-in-numbers/a-lower-keys-roundabout-marvin-key-and-snipe-point/

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! Bless UP

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© 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 – Seeking Higher ground and Faith in Numbers in the Lower Keys.

Summertime kayaking and exploration of the

lower Keys backcountry.

Part I

.

(tap or click pic to read)

“Higher ground.”
Exploring a Higher Ground in the Lower Keys! Part I.

.

Camping on a sandbar shoal and paddling the Barracuda, Marvin  and the Snipe Keys.

One great aspect of a sandbar is that since it is surrounded by water and there’s no vegetation, there are absolutely no bugs to deal with. On the flip side, it’s hot under the summer sun, so it helps to bring your own shade in the form of an umbrella or a Sombrero. If you decide to work on your tan, don’t forget to flip over.

You wouldn’t want to go home half baked!

As luck would have it, this summer trip occurred near the full moon and the tidal ranges were at the extremes for the Keys! The little sandbar shoal was just about underwater during the daytime high tide, and conversely the daytime low left the seabed exposed almost as far as the eye could see. The “top” of this shoal was smaller than a typical living room. The shape of the high ground “living room” was an interesting contoured triangle type shape that is often found repeated in nature.

The graceful curve reminded me somewhat of the pediment shapes commonly seen in Neoclassical architecture!

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Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/higher-ground-in-the-lower-keys-and-faith-in-numbers/exploring-a-higher-ground-in-the-lower-keys/

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.

! Bless UP

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© 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 – You can get there from here!

Connecting streams of the Everglades:

River – Slough – River!

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(tap or click pic to read)

My mud salvation in the Everglades.
The Lost Portage – connecting streams in the Everglades!

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The term “Lost Portage” is used to describe an

inland connection between two streams originating

from the the Shark River Slough aka the “River of Grass”.

The reason for going through this Lost Portage is to go directly between two of the most remote Everglades backcountry campsites – Canepatch and Camp Lonesome. Any paddler considering camping at these sites would think it obvious that there should be a direct inland connection between them, but officially there is not! So the typical Wilderness Waterway paddler is directed to either head out into the Gulf, or go through a mangrove creek called the “Nightmare”. Either option means a long paddle out and then back in, closer to the interior. A direct connection is much shorter though probably more challenging!

Before they become actual rivers of the Everglades:

connecting the Broad River and the Harney – Shark Rivers.

Due to the distances involved, logistics and time constraints during the winter Holiday break, I laid out a 4 day and 3 night weather balloon shaped route. It was the only realistic way to run this trip, as neither me nor my paddling partner were willing to take off a whole week.

This fairly ambitious schedule would have us close the gap in the

shortest amount of time with some long daily paddling miles!

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Full story:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/the-lost-portage-connecting-streams-in-the-everglades/

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! Bless UP

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© 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 down the River of Grass in the heart of the Everglades.

Adventures on the endless

“River of Grass”!

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(tap or click pic to read)

Paddling down “Main Street” in the middle of Shark River Slough in the Everglades.
Kayaking the River of Grass – a Shark River Slough Expedition.

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Out here, you hear EVERYTHING! There is silence here, but more often than not, we would hear distant rumbles and the sounds of machines.  Airboats  from the “Everglades Ecotours” tourist rides just east and north of the park, the buzz of many small and private planes flying and training overhead .. airliners on final approach to MIA. The Shark River Slough feels remote, but is not nearly as quiet as the Taylor Slough.

Paddling in this upper section of the Park is true grass paddling, a seemingly endless realm of water and grass punctuated only by tree hammocks of various sizes. Many of the larger ones were used in the past by native Indian tribes, and later by Gladesmen as hunting camps, etc.  On our route we came within just a few miles SE of the Shark Valley tower, and we could see it’s distinct shape in the distance.

On the critical section where we would come to intersect what is called “Main Street”, which is a well defined airboat trail that runs down the middle of the slough.

This trail would takes us all the way into Bottle Creek on the southern edge of the slough!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/kayaking-the-river-of-grass-a-shark-river-slough-expedition/

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/paddling-and-exploring-south-floridas-wilderness-the-sloughs-of-the-everglades/

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! Bless UP

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© 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 – The Cane patch rest stop on the “superhighway” of the Everglades.

A a large clearing with a small dock

deep in the Everglades.

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Good morning sunshine, the air is sweet at the Cane Patch!
Canepatch camp site deep in the Everglades – a former Indian Mound (Avocado Mound).

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Canepatch is far away from everywhere,

but as they say – location is everything.

The Cane Patch  is a large clearing with a small dock maintained by the Park Service as an official campsite. Formerly known as “Avocado Mound”, it was cultivated and occupied by native peoples for hundreds of years at least, perhaps thousands. It’s location along the transition between the salty coastal mangrove forests and freshwater slough (The River of Grass) of the Everglades would be akin to a rest stop on a superhighway today. High, dry ground can be scarce to find in this region, and this site was cleared and built up as a mound by native people who also cultivated some crops. It was one of several in a network of mounds that natives built up, maintained and seasonally lived on. Certainly right up to the establishment of Everglades National Park itself there were people living and farming at Cane Patch, with the name itself giving away at least one of the crops commonly grown by cracker settlers in the Everglades!

Evidence of cultivation can still be readily seen in the vegetation which is like a small botanical garden!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/interior/canepatch-indian-mound-avocado-mound/

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! Bless UP

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© 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 – Trick or Treat!

What’s in your cauldron?

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Happy Halloween cooking! 😮
Tasty & Quick Cooking for backcountry kayak campers!

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It sets the tone for your well being!

You won’t believe how good food tastes when you’re out camping. After a day or two of paddling and exploring, your taste buds will reset & you’ll notice subtle flavors and more textures that often get drowned out in much of today’s commercially made meals! You won’t even miss the extra salts and sugars that you might be used (or addicted) to .. this is your body telling you

“thank you for satisfying my genuine hunger with wholesome food!”

Salud !

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/quick-tasty-cooking/

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! Bless UP

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© 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!

🙂

There’s something fishy about this!

A new way of fishing the Everglades,

Ten Thousand Islands, Florida Bay and the Keys!

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(Click pic to enter!)

Staying Alive in the heat at north Nest Key ..
On the fine ART of living in a lens Bubble!

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Fisheye tales from the Everglades!

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! Bless UP

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© 2017 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!

With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

Paddling and exploring South Florida’s wilderness – the sloughs of the Everglades!

Adventures on the endless “River of Grass”:

The Everglades’ sloughs!

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Exploring the sloughs of the Everglades – satellite view!

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(Each pic opens a story!)

Taylor Slough:

Running down the Taylor Slough!

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Halloween on the Taylor Slough!

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Craighead Pond Canoe Trail connector to Taylor Slough.

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East Everglades:

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

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Grass paddling and poling in the Everglades Water Conservation Areas.

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Chief Chekika’s not so secret island hideaway in the Everglades!

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Paddling under the Everglades Skyway – the one-mile Tamiami Trail bridge over Shark River slough.

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Shark River Slough:

Kayaking the River of Grass – a Shark River Slough Expedition!

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The Lost Portage – connecting streams in the Everglades!

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Pahayokee to Main Street – probing into the Shark River Slough!

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Kayaking at Shark Valley – A visit to Seagrape Hammock, aka Willoughby Key!

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! Bless UP

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© 2017 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!

With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

Adventures in mud on the Lost Portage of the Everglades!

Connecting streams of the Everglades:

River – Slough – River!

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(click on any pic to enter!)

The Lost Portage – connecting streams in the Everglades!

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The Lost Portage – connecting streams in the Everglades!

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The Lost Portage – connecting streams in the Everglades!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/the-lost-portage-connecting-streams-in-the-everglades/

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! BLESS

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© 2017 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:

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!

A short tale about the 2016 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous in Flamingo!

2016 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous in Flamingo, Everglades National Park.

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The Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous go back as far as the 1980’s when paddle clubs from around the state would have informal get togethers. Today, it is a multi day paddling and camping event, each year hosted by a different local club in a beautiful area.

This year’s rendezvous was hosted by Charlie Arazoza of www.bushpaddlers.org and held at the Flamingo Campground at the “end of the road” on December 2-4, 2016. Some of the sponsors included the Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA), and the event was set to benefit the South Florida National Parks Trust.

There were many guided scheduled paddles, camping activities and social gatherings throughout the long weekend. I was able to participate for two days and one night, and co-lead two trips on the Bear Lake Canoe Trail and on Florida Bay!

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Welcome to the 2016 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous in Flamingo, Florida – at the end of the road inside Everglades National Park!

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One thing that quickly became apparent was that this was also the site of the 2016 Florida Mosquitoes’ Rendezvous! 😉

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Who would’ve thunk it that the 2016 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous would be held at the same time and same place as the 2016 Florida Mosquitoes’ Rendezvous!

What are the odds?! 😉

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This year, everybody participated in the blood drive at Flamingo! 😉

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Suited up, en-route to the launch spot for the Bear Lake Canoe Trail.

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Bear Lake Road is a narrow dirt track leading up to the old Homestead Canal launch. I could see swarms of more mosquitoes outside the windows!
Note that the gate to access this road is often locked. You will need to call the Ranger station and inquire ahead of time if you want to launch there!

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There were many guided Everglades paddles during the Rendezvous. Some of the trails and paths used were pioneered and mapped by contemporary backcountry explorers Keith W. and Terry Helmers, among others at the Everglades Exploration Network (EEN). This site is an excellent resource for all Everglades trips related and we all owe them a debt of gratitude!

My part was to co-lead a trip on the Bear Lake Canoe Trail along with Miami’s Esther Luft of the Virginia Key Outdoor Center (VKOC). Due to the multitudes of mosquitoes we had a small turnout, but a great time nonetheless – even if we had to paddle in bug jackets the whole time!

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So what happens when you get to the put-in and one of your paddlers locks himself outside of his running vehicle?
You call on Esther to find a way to open it up! 😉

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Bear Lake Canoe Trail details.
Note that you can also access this put-in via a short portage from the Buttonwood Canal!
CLICK for large readable version!

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Bear Lake Canoe Trail launch spot and old dock.

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Paddling on the Homestead Canal dug in the 1920’s.

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Paddling in bug suits, still smiling for z camera!

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There are always bugs, and then there are even MORE bugs!

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The canal is easy straight ahead paddling in chocolate color water.
Unfortunately it does NOT smell like chocolate!

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Paddler Lisa H. enjoying the sights along the Bear Lake Canoe Trail.

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Esther Luft and Lisa H. paddling on the old Homestead Canal.

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Bear Lake though the mangrove canopy of the old Homestead Canal/Bear Lake Canoe Trail.

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Popping out of the mangroves and out into Bear Lake!

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Your 2016 Rendezvous host Charlie Arazoza of  www.bushpaddlers.org  paddling on Bear Lake from a previous exploratory trip.
CLICK: Go West to East Cape – an interior route via “Spoonbill Pass” and Raulerson Prairie!

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Bear Lake is a good sized body of water, and after paddling out about 50 feet into the breeze we were able to unzip the skeeter netting and have a snack. This area is actually very pretty and worth exploring once the South Florida winter cools off a bit more! For more from this region, check out:

Go West to East Cape – an interior route via “Spoonbill Pass” and Raulerson Prairie!

Also see SUP paddler Scott Baste’s Mud Lake Trail adventures album (Facebook login required).

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Along the edge of the lake, these tiny oysters cling to the long mangrove roots like pearls!

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Safely zipped up back inside my bug shirt, we paddle back!

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The Bear Lake Canoe Trail (Homestead Canal) was cleared out for us to enjoy by the volunteer efforts of the Swamp Apes led by Tom Rahill who otherwise hunts down invasive Pythons!

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There are lots of pretty epiphytes like these Bromeliads all along the trail!

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Plants that live in the air on the Bear Lake Canoe Trail / Homestead Canal.

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Old dock at the Bear Lake Canoe Trail put-in on the Homestead Canal.
Note that there is no parking here – it is a loading area only! Parking is slightly further back in a clearing along the Buttonwood Canal!

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Dock signage straight outta the 70’s!

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Meanwhile back in camp .. Charlie relaxes inside his bug suit and under his distinctive hat!

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Who is this foxy lady from the Virginia Key Outdoor Center?

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Esther and Kayak Ted (Spiritwalker) at camp in Flamingo.

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Saturday night’s dinner was truly a feast! BIG thanks to all who prepared the delicious dishes!!
The only remaining question was who ate better – the people or the mosquitoes?! 😉

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Our host Charlie Arazoza with kayaking musician Bob Bonnen who entertained us all night with his extensive repertoire! 🙂

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Bob Bonnen playing in the spotlight at the 2016 Paddlers’ Rendezvous in Flamingo. Bob also led some trips during the day!

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Ian W. kept our fire going all night and thus didn’t need any bug protection.. 😉

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Then there comes the morning! You are looking at the skeeters OUTSIDE of the tent netting!
The one’s inside my tent were massacred previously during the night! 🙂

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Aerial bird’s-eye view of main camping field at Flamingo, Everglades National Park with the ill-fated Eco Tent.
The 2016 Rendezvous site was similar but in the reserved lot area.
CLICK for spin-around 360 view!

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Florida Bay & Keys Aerial VR Panoramas

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Aerial view of the Flamingo boat launch ramps in Everglades National Park. This is where most paddlers launch out into Florida Bay!
CLICK for superwide interactive panorama!

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Despite the easterly winds of 15-20 knots, a group of 19 paddlers assembled themselves at the Flamingo boat launch ramps for the last paddle of the 2016 Rendezvous on Florida Bay. I was very glad to have the assistance of paddler Tom Bonnen sweeping up this group of enthusiastic kayakers!

Due to the stiff head wind, we hugged the mangrove shoreline heading east to have a peek out over Snake Bight. The tide was also dropping, so we didn’t have much time. Large parts of this area become exposed mud flats on low tide, especially with a strong east wind!

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Group heading out in the lee along the shoreline of Florida Bay.
This trip was 100% bug-free! 🙂

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As we rounded Christian Point, we were looking out across Snake Bight into conditions similar to this. Naturally, this was the turn-around point!

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Hundreds of White Pelicans miles away in the distance over another flats bank in Florida Bay.
CLICK for: Welcoming the fall arrival of White Pelicans in Florida Bay!

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The Everglades are for the birds!

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Another scene of birds feeding on flats banks similar to what we saw in the distance on Snake Bight.
CLICK for: The hold up at First National Bank in Florida Bay!

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Paddling back to Flamingo with the wind, but with only inches of water under the boats!

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For more on paddling Florida Bay, check out:

Chickees and Keys in Florida Bay – Kayaking, Camping and Nice Dreams!

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Paddler and wood worker Tom Bonnen in his custom Black Pearl Greenland-style kayak in front of the Flamingo Ranger Station.
We closed out the 2016 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous!

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BIG thanks to Charlie Arazoza, the Bush Paddlers and sponsors, the Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA) and all the great people that made this a success. I will look forward to the next Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous!

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More pictures from the event:

SLACKERS meetup – Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous

Miami Kayak Club – Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous

Facebook event – Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous

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Enjoy!

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! BLESS

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© 2016 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!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

Happy Thanksgiving from all the Birds!

Thanksgiving message of hope from the birds of the Everglades!

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The President says

“I hereby pardon you for your crimes ..”

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A Heron at First National Bank in Florida Bay.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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“Crimes, what of crimes?”

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Herons like to perch on top of mangrove trees in the Everglades.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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“We would just like to say”

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“Dances with Doughnuts” – flying over Florida Bay.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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“That we are”

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Coming in for a landing atop a black mangrove tree.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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“That we are innocent!”

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White Pelicans gathered along the shorelines of the Everglades.
Welcoming the fall arrival of White Pelicans in Florida Bay!

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“We live free”

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Sandpipers frolic along the Everglades shoreline.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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“We move freely”

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Roseate Spoonbills flying over First National Bank in Florida Bay.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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“Free like the wind!”

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Roseate Spoonbills flying over Florida Bay.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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“We fly because the sky is free!”

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Looking for big birds up in the sky over the Everglades.
Welcoming the fall arrival of White Pelicans in Florida Bay!

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Oh but wait, not so fast!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

🙂

More @ The Everglades are for the birds!

Birding and bird portraits kayaking the Everglades, Florida Bay/Keys, Ten Thousand Islands & more!

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(click pic to see the gallery!)

A White Heron catches an eel on the flats of Florida Bay near Little Rabbit Key.
CLICK for full Gallery – The Everglades are for the birds!

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Peace is Now ! Bless

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© 2016 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.

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!

With that said..
Blessings friends!

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More of ‘Camping with the Stars’ from the Everglades!

This week on ‘Camping with the Stars’.

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Now with even more fantastic imagery from the darkness of the Everglades!

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(click any pic for more!)

Temporary tidal space and Faith in Numbers.
Full moon camping on a sandbar in the lower Keys!

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The bright full moon with Jupiter and four of it’s largest moons, winter 2016.

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Closeup of Jupiter and it’s Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

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ART of Darkness – Camping with the Stars!

 

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Introducing the 14% larger and 30% brighter supermoon rising over Florida Bay!

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A very cool planetary alignment in the southern sky just before dawn.

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Afterglow of the sunset and a nearly whole sky view as the stars come out to play!

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Bright Venus rising above Johnson Key in the eastern sky before dawn.

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ART of Darkness – Camping with the Stars!

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NIGHT LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY and DIGITAL ART from the EVERGLADES, FLORIDA BAY, TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS, BIG CYPRESS & BEYOND!

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Enjoy!

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© 2016 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!

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!Moonlight – Bless

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Paddling around Bahia Honda State Park in Florida’s Keys!

Bahia Honda State Park – Kayaking through history along Florida’s lower Keys. 

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(click to enter)

Bahia Honda State Park – Kayaking through history along Florida’s lower Keys!
“Mind the Gap!”
Also available from Kayakfari ART Photography!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/florida-bay-keys/bahia-honda-state-park/

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Try these interactive panoramas:

Aerial and VR Panoramas from Kayakfari.com

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/360-vr-panoramas/

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Happy Virtual Paddling – Enjoy!

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BLESS!

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© 2015 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.

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!

With that said..
Blessings friends!

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Kayaking Bahia Honda Key – Florida’s lower Keys paddling panoramas!

Three views kayaking around the iconic Bahia Honda Key bridge gateways to Florida’s lower Keys. 

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A lil crashing surf on the limestone rocks of Little Bahia Honda Key frame Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad bridge in this Keys colors panorama.
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Panorama from the top of the sectioned double decker Bahia Honda bridge and the Overseas Highway.
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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A serene 180 panorama from the ocean side beach of Bahia Honda Key with the Seven Mile Bridge in the distance.
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Try more interactive panoramas:

Aerial and VR Panoramas from Kayakfari.com

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/360-vr-panoramas/

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Happy Virtual Paddling – Enjoy!

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BLESS!
“Buscándote”

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© 2015 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.

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!

With that said..
Blessings friends!

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Seeking Higher ground in the Lower Keys and Faith in Numbers!

Part Three:

Temporary tidal space and Faith in Numbers!

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Summertime kayaking and camping in the lower Keys backcountry on a temporary sandbar base location. 

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(click to enter)

“Red tent, Blue tent”
Higher ground in the Lower Keys and Faith in Numbers!
Part Three: Temporary tidal space and Faith in Numbers!
CLICK for story!

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You take the blue tent, the story ends here. You wake up on your thermarest and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red tent, you stay in wonderland, and we’ll just see how deep that rabbit hole goes.

This is your last chance!

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Happy Paddling – Enjoy!

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BLESS!
“Red tent, Blue tent”

 

Seeking Higher ground in the Lower Keys and Faith in Numbers!

Part Two:

A Lower Keys Roundabout!

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Summertime kayaking and exploration of the lower Keys backcountry from a sandbar base location. Featuring kayak photography and paddling and snorkeling Marvin Key and the Snipe Keys!

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(click to enter)

Higher ground in the Lower Keys and Faith in Numbers!
Part Two: A Lower Keys Roundabout!
CLICK for story!

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The Keys are a paradise world of delicious blue-green aquamarine colors and hues.

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Select images available from Kayakfari ART Photography!

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Happy Paddling – Enjoy!

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BLESS ! Yes – Roundabout

 

Seeking Higher ground in the Lower Keys and Faith in Numbers!

Part One:

Exploring a Higher Ground in the Lower Keys!

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Summertime kayaking and exploration of the lower Keys backcountry. Featuring a sandbar shoal, and paddling the Barracuda Keys, Marvin Key and the Snipe Keys!

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(click pic)

Higher ground in the Lower Keys and Faith in Numbers!
Part One – Exploring a Higher Ground!
CLICK for story!

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The Keys are a paradise world of delicious blue-green aquamarine colors and hues.

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Available from Kayakfari ART Photography!

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Happy Paddling – Enjoy!

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BLESS ! HIGHER GROUND

 

Happy Thanksgiving from Florida!

The  tide has turned, time to start cooking!

(click pic)

Thanksgiving Key Largo style!

Remember to paddle off all those extra helpings – that’s a Flariduh tradition! 😉

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Enjoy!

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BLESS + Give Thanks!

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