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!
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!
From the interior EVERGLADES to FLORIDA BAY and the KEYS, TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS, BIG CYPRESS & Beyond!
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Let’s start with a Ranger-led Pour*!
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Each pic is clickable for a story or link.
Starting with a Ranger-led pour makes me feel hoppy!
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Yes, the Ranger leads a fine pour! Even if this is a smaller, American-sized beer~ ouch
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The pour may be over, but the tour is just about to start. La Dolce Vita!
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A behind the ART scenes Snapshot. Is it ART or is it bird shit? CLICK for story!
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Camp trifecta – Canoe Paddler vs 420 vs Kalik. Camping on the Johnson Key platform in Florida Bay CLICK for story!
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Oh snap, the flash went off! Harvest moon, Super moon, Blood moon and High Tides of the final tetrad Eclipse of 2015! CLICK for story!
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Dinner with Sweetwater beer and sunset. Tasty & Quick Cooking CLICK for story!
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Here’s an Urquell tribute to a pilsner I know .. the full size 0.5 litre Euro bottle. She’s a whole lotta Kayak – A tribute to Rosie and all the plus sized kayaks out there! CLICK for story!
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Nothing but Rampant sunshine! The hold up at First National Bank in Florida Bay CLICK for story!
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Sometimes I just feel like bringing the Pub to Florida Bay. Across Florida Bay: Flamingo to Long Key round trip Adventure CLICK for story!
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Is it Red Bull that gives you wings? Red Bull Flugtag Miami – Paddling to a downtown kayak, boat & plane party! CLICK for story!
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Here’s to Stiltsville. Cheers! Kayak Miami: Stiltsville Village in Biscayne Bay CLICK for story!
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“Bitte ein Bit“ ART of Cape Romano – The curious inhabitants of Australopithecine Island CLICK for story!
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Just a Sunday Nooner on Florida Bay. Little Rabbit Key – a camping jewel in Central Florida Bay CLICK for story!
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Budweiser can found on tree island hammock with a design circa 1999 – please pack out all your trash! Grass Paddling in the East Everglades Expansion Area – History, Gladesmen & more Grass! CLICK for story!
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The message in this bottle says: Please don’t litter! Whiskey Creek & John U Lloyd State Park in Dania CLICK for story!
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A toast to Totch Brown and all Gladesmen! Camping Hell in the Ten Thousand Islands CLICK for story!
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When a Trippel turns into a triple, but certainly NOT a tripple! Winter birthday triad on Florida Bay with the ‘Banana Boat’! CLICK for story!
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On Cloud Nine at the beach at Bahia Honda. Bahia Honda State Park – Kayaking through history along Florida’s lower Keys! CLICK for story!
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The Florida Bay Mental Health Plan.. 🙂 Chickees and Keys in Florida Bay – Kayaking, Camping and Nice Dreams! CLICK for story!
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Please don’t panic, it’s organic! Kayaking to Alligator Light Reef (lighthouse) .. of Fishes, Wreckers, Pirates and Keys History! CLICK for story!
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You’ll not see nothing like this mighty grin after being out in the Everglades!
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Raise a toast:
CHEERS!
Salud!
Na zdraví!
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Wishing you Hoppy Holidays*!
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Bless!
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*Please drink responsibly! It’s OK to have a beer or two on the water, but it is against the law to be inebriated in your watercraft.
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!
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!
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 one is all about the feet, many various feet. So follow along – each pic is clickable for a related story!
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Most paddlers don’t think much about their feet. They tend to focus more on their arms, their hips and their paddles. But the foot is an important and integral part of kayaking and any paddling in general. Along with the hips and thighs, the feet anchor a paddler in or on top of the craft. Foot protection and footwear come in many forms and styles. As with distinctive paddling hats, footwear also sets paddlers apart!
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All toes on board at Whiskey Creek in Dania Beach, Florida. CLICK for story!
The feet will let you know when there is a problem or a mismatch with foot pegs or foot pads. Whether fixed, adjustable or sliding, a properly customized fit ensures maximum control and comfort while on the water. In a sit on top you’ll always be looking at your feet. In a traditional kayak, you might not see them but you’ll be feeling and using them – or should be! Sea Kayaks and traditional sit inside kayaks usually have adjustable foot bars or foot pegs. Most sit on top style kayaks have several fixed molded in foot braces. In either case you want to adjust your foot position so that your feet are pushing your butt back into the seat. This will help to keep your lower back straight and in a slightly forward leaning position.
I often see paddlers sit in their boat and immediately lean back as if at home in a recliner. You never want to be leaning back into the backrest unless you’re taking a break! Otherwise you’ll be in the wrong position for actual paddling and harmfully compressing your spine! You may need to readjust or re-position your seat straps to accomplish this. The lean forward position is not only good for paddling, it’s also really good for your lower back.
The feet are the key for proper paddling posture!
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Counting toes and bugs while camping in Hell! CLICK for story!
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!
Day and night spin around 360 panoramas from the Johnson Key chickee in Florida Bay.
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“A sea of Tranquility in Florida Bay.” Full spin-around view from the Johnson Key chickee platform in Florida Bay. CLICK for full screen VR 360 Panorama!
“Midnight chickee chilling on Florida Bay.” Spin-around panoramic view in the still of the night from the Johnson Key chickee platform under a full moon. CLICK for full screen VR 360 Panorama!
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Paddling there is like living inside a Dali painting:
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Camping on the Johnson Key platform in Florida Bay!
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!
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!
In the zone – proper focus on Florida Bay. For illustration purposes only – your kayaking mileage may vary. CLICK for Story!
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Achieving and maintaining proper focus is important for safe and efficient distance paddling (or any kind of endurance sport). It really doesn’t hurt to be kayaking in as beautiful a place as the wide expanses of the marine wilderness of Florida Bay!
Early summer can be a great time to paddle. The seas are often flat and the afternoon monsoon thunderstorms haven’t regularly started up yet. The chickees are free and bug levels are still tolerable. Quality time spent outdoors is key to balance and good mental health. Cheers!
She ain’t exactly pretty She ain’t exactly small Eleven’eleven, thirty’four, sixty’one lbs But you could say she’s got it all ..
Rosie, she’s a whole lotta Kayak!
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(click each pic for a story!)
Snorkeling in Biscayne Bay, Rosie is like a personal sized dinghy! CLICK for story!
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We all love to see the sleek, fast and sexy boats. There are times however when a shorter “plus size” sit on top style kayak fits the bill! This is a humorous-musical ode to mine, which I shall call “Rosie”. She’s an Ocean Kayak Peekaboo, and yes, she’s been used and abused, and generally not pampered. With a shallow-vee and nearly flat hull, she’s the ultimate in stability on flat water! She has a large viewing port, and a jump seat in the front meant for a small child. She could carry two light adults in a pinch, but isn’t rated for it. I personally like to ride Rosie Standing UP style for visibility and photography. The downside to all this stability and generous girth is speed. She will cruise with a 230cm kayak paddle at a little over two knots, less when paddling SUP style. She does respond well to leaning and will turn on a dime with practice. Her long tracking keel does it’s job but will tend to catch on roots and grasses when backing up. Rosie can carry a lot of gear for camping, she likes to go snorkeling, she likes taking her time on flat water and she’s an excellent platform for standing.
I don’t always ride Rosie, but when I do we’re in love! 😉
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Entering a lush mangrove canopy atop Rosie. CLICK for story!
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!
