::: Day 5 :::
Escape from Fortress South Florida
When it seems like people are all cooped up and about to blow their lids, getting some on-the-water quality time by yourself is more important than ever. I was able to get out today by myself. I did not stop anywhere, did not buy anything, did not touch anything. I did meet a fellow escapee paddler and a couple on SUPs, but we maintained safe social distances!
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Things are really changing fast – a week ago I was still beach launching my Stellar SES !!
The launching of the Grey Ghost (Stellar SES Multisport surfski).
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Is it wrong to want to be out on the water by yourself?
No!
I love paddling and working out in my Stellar SES surfski, aka the ‘Grey Ghost‘. I often paddle solo fitness sessions, so the current social distancing measures have not changed my paddling except that it’s now hard to find a place to launch from. I understand the serious situation we are in, however I also feel that getting on the water is important for mental well-being to get through this crisis.
There is no better way to self-isolate than to be paddling!
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The Independence of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world was in Port Everglades today.
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The huge ship has it’s own water park entertainment on top!
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A serene scene which hides the chaos that is unfolding before us now .. 😮
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Self quarantine, Social Distancing and isolation?
Yes. Another day fitness paddling!
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Just offshore, south of Port Everglades inlet.
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Enjoying a refreshing swim in the Atlantic alongside the Grey Ghost. I needed this!!
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Independence of the Seas is so big, it can’t hope to hide behind the MJ Park vegetation.
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The desolate beach and large cruise ship remind me of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma back in 2017.
Hurricane Irma aftermath at Dania Beach and Mizell Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park.
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Huge cruise ships like the Independence can set off dangerous currents in and around this inlet!!
Rip current hydraulic – a cruise ship so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!
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Traffic was light today, but remember that Port Everglades inlet is a busy 24/7 SHIPPING LANE and a FULL SPEED boating zone! Big ships can not and will not stop, and fast moving boaters may not see even you!
It’s best not to venture inside or cross the inlet unless you know EXACTLY what you’re doing!!
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The Grey Ghost meets the Independence of the Seas! (As close as I will get ..)
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The impressive stacks of the Independence of the Seas.
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The Port is Alive with Music! (Industrial type music, that is..)
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Paddling the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic worldwide shutdown and now stay-at-home / lock-out!
It takes a crisis of this magnitude to expose the incompetence, inequalities and hypocrisy we otherwise put up with, day to day. One of these is the lack of adequate put-ins for paddlers and the dismal quality of our waterways!
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Another escapee from Fortress South Florida – local paddler Eric Z. in his beautiful custom wooden sea kayak.
Note that we are maintaining a safe distance!
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Sneak shot of Eric on his way back to the put-in .. keep on paddlin’! 🙂
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Upon returning home, I learned that Broward county is now under a stay-at-home order! The order however allows for individual outdoor exercise while maintaining social distancing guidelines. So it appears that we can keep paddling! 🙂
I am truly thankful to have escaped for a couple of hours of paddling today.
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Be well friends, this shall pass!!
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Escape!
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© 2020 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / plasticworlds.com. All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.
All rights reserved!
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DISCLAIMER:
The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No skeleton, no barbie, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!
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With that said..
Blessings friends!
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kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i ) 