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!
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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!
“You keep on knocking, but you can’t come in!” Of Bugs and Men, Chapter 1 – Noseeums.
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I termed this story “Of Bugs and Men”, though they will bite anyone with equal opportunity. They do not discriminate, and to them we are all gender neutral.
The only exception might be first time virgin campers of the Everglades which noseeums consider a delicacy! 😉
As with mosquitoes, only the females feed on the blood of vertebrates, which they need for their eggs to mature. They can also easily fly for a couple of miles and will be lured in by the CO2 that we all exhale. So unless there’s a strong breeze or you are on an offshore sandbar island, chances are you will encounter them.
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!
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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!
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!
Don’t let your feet get angry .. Your feet are the key to proper paddling posture!
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Many paddlers don’t seem to think much about their feet unless they happen to step wrong on something. The focus always seems to be more on their arms, their hips and their paddles. But the foot is an important and integral part of kayaking and all paddling in general. Along with the hips and thighs, the feet position a paddler in or on top of their craft and provide an anchor point for optimum paddling motion.
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!
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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!
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!
Shark Point Chickee is the tallest in Everglades National Park and feels like an outback condominium! The Shark Point Chickee condominium on Florida Bay.
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Shark Point Chickee
When there is no moon out, it gets very dark indeed! A calm night on the Shark Point Chickee may possibly be the ultimate in camping tranquility. There is an absolute stillness and a total lack of any kind of background noise which is pretty special in today’s world and something not soon forgotten.
You can see the lights from the Florida Keys towns on the horizon to the south as they stretch out in a wide arc!
However the chickee is also a favorite resting place for sea birds and as such it will most likely be covered in bird guano, so bring several tarps to stay clean and scent-free!
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!
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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!
First National Bank appears to have been named in jest by Flamingo residents of old (along with many other funny names). There are several other ‘banks’, but First National is very interesting due to it’s geographical position in Florida Bay and the thousands of birds that make a living out there.
The bank is located in Western Florida Bay which experiences extreme tidal swings and huge sections of flats can get exposed for several hours. They can easily be several miles across.
It’s very easy to get stuck out here accidentally, so it’s best to always be crossing with a rising tide! For planning, go with the East Cape tide models.
Don’t try walking across the bank – it’s really slick soft mud, almost like quicksand. It will tear the shoes off your feet .. best to wait it out!
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!
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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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i ) 