Keep moving through the landscape ahead of the monsters!

That one Halloween we had on the

Taylor Slough of the Everglades.

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(tap or click pic to read)

The hungry ghost of a gator snaps at inquisitive paddlers.
Halloween on the Taylor Slough.

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Grass paddling is a local Everglades specialty!

While free ranging is always possible, it’s usually best to save the energy by mostly sticking to (relatively) well established canoe and NPS airboat trails as much as possible. Poling, pushing, and paddling – it’s all good on the slough. This Halloween trip followed down the Taylor Slough and then the Craighead Pond Canoe Trail, eventually exiting at the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail. The upper part of Taylor Slough is a beautiful area, paddling amongst Cypress trees with mixed vegetation. Then the further south we went, the more open and prairie-like the landscape became. We kept moving across this wide open watery landscape until again being corralled into channels by coastal mangroves.

Then we ran out of daylight and it got real dark ..

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/sloughs/halloween-on-the-taylor-slough/

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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!

🙂

Bleached bones in the dark waters of the Everglades.

The legend of Kaya Kay Skellitonova

and the Great White Alligator.

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(tap or click pic to read)

“The Great White Alligator”
ART of Halloween kayaking – a Darkness in the Everglades!

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Kaya Kay Skellitonova was a pioneer Everglades gator hunter of old. She was the best at bringing in the big ones, right from her kayak! As the story goes, she once spotted a “Great White Alligator” that thrashed her boat and nearly capsized her. As the seasons went on, she grew more and more determined to seek out and hunt down this great beast! Eventually she was completely consumed by her quest and was never heard from again.

So the legend was born and her last words were said to be:

“Thus, I give up my euro blade paddle!”

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/kayakfari-art/art-of-halloween-kayaking-a-darkness-in-the-everglades/

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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!

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely intentional. No skeleton, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

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 – 1, 2, 3 – tripping into the wild Everglades!

We can also strive to escape

from our modern domesticated era,

if only for a brief and limited time!

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(tap or click pic to read)

Paddling just as easy as 1 – 2 – 3 ? Perhaps, or perhaps not!
Escape from Babylon into the Ten Thousand Islands.

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This trip added up to about 84 miles with a nice progression

of  11, 20, 25 and 28 mile days.

A memorable escape into the the Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades!

The Ten Thousands Islands of southwest Florida have a rich human history that dates back thousands of years. For instance, the Calusa Native Americans prospered here, living off the bounty of the coastal marine zone. Rare in human history, they achieved an advanced level of civilization that was not centered on agriculture. They also left us plenty of evidence of just how much, and how well they ate in the form the “midden mounds”. These are basically garbage heaps, of mostly shells, some reaching very large proportions! The remoteness and isolation of the 10K attracted white settlers in the last 150 years to eek out a living, often on top of those old Calusa shell mounds. Some of the so called settlers were actually seeking a place to escape to, to evade the law, perhaps permanently.

In more recent times, access to the 10000 Islands has become codified with the creation of Everglades National Park and other wildlife sanctuaries. Conveniently spaced campsites which can be “reserved” months ahead of time serve to give a familiar structure to an otherwise wild place. A few people still make a living out there, mostly to get others in and out and help them get the most out of the area.

Still, there are a few hidden gems left where the original story continues!

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Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/10-000-islands/escape-from-babylon-into-the-ten-thousand-islands/

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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 – Adventures in the Bill Ashley Jungles of the Everglades.

An invitation to paddling forgotten trails of

Gladesmen,

Gator hunters, Outlaws and Moonshiners

in the Everglades!

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(tap or click pic to read)

The “Widowmaker” meant pushing, pulling or throwing boats over mangroves as necessary!
Crossing paths of Gladesmen, Gator hunters, Outlaws and Moonshiners: An invitation to paddling forgotten trails of the Everglades!

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The Bill Ashley Jungles is an area west of the main Park road roughly between Paurotis Pond and Hell’s Bay, and we were right in the middle of it! Historically these were productive hunting grounds for both Native American tribes and later “Cracker” gator hunters and trappers. This landscape has also changed over the decades, with brackish water intruding northwards, resulting in the predominantly wet mangrove forest habitat that we saw. It certainly did not look like it to us, but back in the 1920′-30’s there was abundant game deer to be had here! Today this is a largely forgotten area, except for the Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail that runs through a part of it. This single trail probably the single most popular paddling route inside of Everglades National Park.

Paradoxically this area is at once the most visited,

yet also the least explored!

The Bill Ashley Jungles were named after a band of outlaws who hid out in the Glades in the 1910’s-20’s called the Ashley Gang, led by John Ashley and his “queen”, Laura Upthegrove. Back then almost everything in South Florida was still the “Everglades”, so whether you were in Homestead or Jupiter, you’d still be in the “Everglades”. It was more of a question of how hard it was to get in and out. By 1924 members of the close knit Ashley Gang family were either in custody or dead. Bill Ashley, one of John’s brothers was apprehended in January 1924, and was the only one who actually survived the family “business” and then lived out his years in Pompano Beach until his death in 1940.

Incidentally, on the east side of the Park road is the Noble Hammock Canoe Trail, a short but pretty three mile loop. It was named after Bill Nobles who ran a moonshine still operation on a hammock back there during Prohibition. The trail is just a small section of Still Creek which runs down into West Lake and is well worth seeing!

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Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/crossing-paths-of-gladesmen-gator-hunters-outlaws-moonshiners-an-invitation-to-paddling-forgotten-trails-of-the-everglades/

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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 – Goodbye Babylon, bye bye. Hello Everglades tripping!

Escape from Babylon into the

Ten Thousand Islands!

.

(tap or click pic to read)

This simple laminated Google Earth printout sufficed for maybe 90% of my navigational needs.
(For the remaining 10% I thanked Ted’s GPS unit.)
Escape from Babylon into the Ten Thousand Islands.

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The Ten Thousands Islands of southwest Florida have a rich human history that dates back thousands of years. The Calusa Native Americans prospered here, living off the bounty of the coastal marine zone. Rare in human history, they achieved an advanced level of civilization that was not based on agriculture! They left plenty of evidence of just how much (and how well) they ate in the form the “midden mounds”. These are basically garbage heaps, of mostly shells, some quite large! The remoteness and isolation of the 10K attracted white settlers in the last 150 years to eek out a living, often on top of the old Calusa shell mounds. Some of the so called settlers were actually seeking a place to escape to, perhaps permanently.

In the modern era, we can also strive to escape,

if only for a limited time!

With my paddling partner Kayak Ted, we hatched yet another route plan to take us further south along the Ten Thousand Islands coastline and then visit a few interior campsites on the Wilderness Waterway. One of best things about tripping with Ted is that he’s down with (some of) my oddball suggestions, and sometimes he pulls out one of his own.

Such as, let’s start our 3 night trip at 5pm, day of!

In the end we paddled about 84 miles and had a nice progression of 11, 20, 25 and 28 mile days. The conditions were mostly favorable, the bugs weren’t that bad on this adventure, and it was a great trip in the Ten Thousand Islands.

A fun escape from Babylon into the Everglades outback!

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Full story at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/10-000-islands/escape-from-babylon-into-the-ten-thousand-islands/

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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!

.

With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

The Daily Dose – Wheels, paddles, a boat and the lunatics on the Grass!

Exploring the Slough and Sawgrass Prairies

of Shark Valley.

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(tap or click pic to read)

Pedal and Paddle at Shark Valley: The kayak and the wheel, a symbiotic relationship.
Kayaking at Shark Valley – A visit to Seagrape Hammock, aka Willoughby Key!

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The lunatics are on the Grass,

Got to keep those loonies off the trail!

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Everglades exploration and photography in the style of the classic 1898 book “Across the Everglades“, by Hugh L. Willoughby.

This is a story of a “pedal and paddle” visit to a small tree island hammock in the Everglades “River of Grass”. We used bicycles, a trailer and a tandem SOT kayak to ride down the tram road and paddle through the grass to the island. The Shark Valley tower happens to be only a short distance from this tree island called  “Seagrape Hammock” in the middle of the Shark River Slough. Hugh L. Willoughby wrote about the island in his classic 1898 book – “Across the Everglades” and dubbed it “Willoughby Key”. He kept excellent records and published the accurate coordinates in his book, so we know for a fact that it is Seagrape Hammock.

He actually liked this island so much that he camped there twice!

Why go to Seagrape Hammock? Well there’s the historical connection already mentioned that gives us a window into the Everglades of old circa 1898. At that time, the Everglades were largely still untouched and pristine. The Seminole Native Americans were still able to live a largely traditional subsistence way of life. The Everglades were clean, bountiful and unfettered. However within a generation afterwards, the irreversible system wide alterations and damage to the Everglades ecosystem would begin. So Willoughby’s descriptions are among the last of the real Everglades as they had existed for millennia prior!

I had been fascinated with this tree island ever since sighting it during a trip down the Shark River slough in 2012. But on that trip we passed close within a mile, although couldn’t take the time for the detour. On this trip we succeeded and I had plenty of time to explore and photograph the Seagrape Hammock tree island!

Geographically, Seagrape Hammock is situated roughly halfway in between the Cypress strands of Big Cypress to the west and the higher (now developed) Pineland ridge to the east.

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“Shark Valley with a Twist!”

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/sloughs/kayaking-at-shark-valley-a-visit-to-seagrape-hammock-aka-willoughby-key/

https://awakenthegrass.wordpress.com/trips/land/everglades-hiking-with-an-altitude-exploring-the-slough-and-sawgrass-prairies-of-shark-valley/

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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 – Modes of travel in the Everglades: Yesterday, today and tomorrow!

“I know that the airboat and the kayak

can coexist peacefully!”

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(tap or click pic to read)

The neon day-glo airboat Mothership of the Everglades with kayaks!
Grass paddling and poling in the Everglades Water Conservation Areas.

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In the permanently flooded Water Conservation Areas of the Glades, the airboat is the best way to get around and reach fishing and hunting grounds and private camps. Still there is something very pure and beautiful being out on the water where it’s just you, the boat and your pole or paddle.

Moving through the landscape at a human pace can be hard work,

but can also be immensely satisfying for body, mind and soul!

Times are changing again for the Everglades, this time for the better. Let’s face it, people care most about the things they know and love. Additional human powered access whether on foot, boat or even bicycle can raise awareness and help drive Everglades Restoration efforts for generations forward!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/interior/grass-paddling-and-poling-in-the-everglades-water-conservation-areas/

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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 – Erasing the dividing line in the Everglades.

The first bridge over troubled waters.

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(tap or click pic to read)

The One-mile Tamiami Trail bridge has started a new chapter for the Everglades!
Paddling under the Everglades Skyway – the one-mile Tamiami Trail bridge over Shark River slough.

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The completion of this bridge as the first segment of an “Everglades Skyway” was a major milestone in Everglades Restoration efforts now underway. By 2024 a series of bridges will replace sections of the Tamiami Trail (Hwy 41) which has been the dividing line in the Everglades since 1928! This will help to restore historic water flow into the Shark River slough, otherwise known as “The River of Grass”. Realistically, the Everglades will never be as it was before the drastic human interventions of the last century. Too much irreversible and permanent damage has been done.

However with careful science-based research,

planning and management,

we should be able to get a functioning Everglades ecosystem again!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/sloughs/paddling-under-the-everglades-skyway-the-one-mile-tamiami-trail-bridge-over-shark-river-slough/

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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 – An inviting Everglades mangrove maze.

Mahogany Hammock – Lane Bay loop through

the Bill Ashley jungles.

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First of many mangrove traffic jams. 😮
Mahogany Hammock – Lane Bay loop of the 2017 Invitational paddle!

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This “Invitational” Everglades paddling event was held in a seemingly endless maze-like area southwest of the Mahogany Hammock Trail inside Everglades National Park. The trip was organized by contemporary Everglades explorer Terry Helmers of the Everglades Exploration Network. Terry likes to go well off the beaten path and plans these trips right near the end of the Everglades wet season, usually late October or in November.

This maze like area only allows single file paddling through

narrow creeks and water leads.

Some of these actually connect to form a path through!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/interior/mahogany-hammock-lane-bay-loop-of-the-2017-invitational-paddle/

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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 – Shine on you crazy Outlaws!

Time portal into the old Ten Thousand Islands:

(Enter at own Risk)

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Totch Brown’s Liquor Still in the Ten Thousand Islands, Everglades.
ART at Liquor Still Bay – hidden history in the Everglades.

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Hidden history in the Everglades at Liquor Still Bay.

((( cue soundtrack )))

This site was cleared and built up by John J. Brown, who essentially created his own “shell mound” on this secret spot by hauling in fill to raise the elevation above the high tide line. John was the father of sometimes famous, sometimes infamous lifelong Chokoloskee resident and true Gladesman Loren G. “Totch” Brown. The Brown family lived in an 8 x 14 foot tar shack that stood just behind the still. As a young boy, Totch learned to hunt, trap, fish and survive in the Everglades any way he could. The moonshine produced was true ‘Everglades Whiskey’ and the fresh run liquor was aged stashed in the mangroves for about six months! This clandestine moonshine operation was probably only active for a few years and after which Totch’s father moved his family to live nearby at the former homestead of Ed Watson, which is now a backcountry Everglades campsite called The Watson Place.

Totch Brown himself went on to live a “free life” as he called it,

perhaps one of the very few and last people who got to

live a full life in the original Everglades!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/kayakfari-art/art-at-liquor-still-bay-hidden-history-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!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

The Daily Dose – That one Halloween on the Taylor Slough.

Poling, pushing, paddling is all good

as long as you keep moving through the

landscape ahead of the monsters!

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The hungry ghost of the gator snaps at paddlers, is it lunch time yet?
Halloween on the Taylor Slough.

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Paddling down the Taylor Slough and on the Craighead Pond Canoe Trail, exiting at the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail inside Everglades National Park. The upper part of Taylor Slough is a beautiful area, paddling among Cypress trees and mixed vegetation. The further south we go, the more open and prairie-like the landscape becomes. Grass paddling is one local Everglades specialty, and usually entails taking advantage of any existing airboat or other trails. Free ranging is possible, but it’s best to save the energy on longer trips such as this one by mostly sticking with the well established NPS airboat trail.

After we paddled off into the sunset, it got dark, real dark!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/sloughs/halloween-on-the-taylor-slough/

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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!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

The Daily Dose – A Darkness in the Everglades!

The dark legend of Kaya Kay Skellitonova

and the Great White Alligator.

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“The Great White Alligator”
ART of Halloween kayaking – a Darkness in the Everglades!

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Kaya Kay Skellitonova was a pioneer Everglades gator hunter of old. She was the best at bringing in the big ones, right from her kayak! As the story goes, she once spotted a “Great White Alligator” that thrashed her boat and nearly capsized her. As the seasons went on, she grew more and more determined to seek out and hunt down this great beast! Eventually she was completely consumed by her quest and was never heard from again.

So the legend was born and her last words were said to be:

“Thus, I give up my euro paddle!”

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/kayakfari-art/art-of-halloween-kayaking-a-darkness-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!

🙂

Everglades Exploration Network 2017 Invitational paddle at Mahogany Hammock.

Paddling the 2017 EEN Invitational with the

“Pa-Hay-Okee“!

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(Click pic to enter)

Paddling in the transition zone between the open ‘Glades prairies and the mangrove coastline through a maze of creeks and water leads!
Mahogany Hammock – Lane Bay loop of the 2017 Invitational paddle!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/interior/mahogany-hammock-lane-bay-loop-of-the-2017-invitational-paddle/

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BLESS!

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© 2017 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!

October is Halloween month, and this year I will entertain the Darkness!

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Let’s start with a dark legend of the Everglades:

‘Kaya Kay’ and the Great White Alligator!

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(click to enter)

CLICK for story: ART of Halloween kayaking – a Darkness in the Everglades!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/kayakfari-art/art-of-halloween-kayaking-a-darkness-in-the-everglades/

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A spooky Halloween kayaking apparition in the Everglades.

NSFK – Not Safe for Kids!

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BLESSed 8 bit Sabbath!

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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!

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, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

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!

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

 Contemporary Everglades exploration series:

“Chekika Island”

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Click on any pic to enter inside!

Dude, where’s my kayak?

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The tallest trees on Chekika Island are the many fine Mahogany specimens.

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Sawgrass is sharp as a razor when it rubs you the wrong way! 😉

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A nearly forgotten place,

yet an important piece of Florida history!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/chief-chekikas-not-so-secret-island-hideaway-in-the-everglades/

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Enjoy!

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! Bless UP – Stronger

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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!

.

Panoramas from Chief Chekika’s Island aka ‘Hanging People’

Panoramic previews of a visit to

Chief Chekika’s Island hideout in the Everglades.

A nearly forgotten place,

yet an important piece of Florida history!

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(each image opens into a new tab)

Chekika Island one mile away from the L-67 levee south of Tamiami Trail.
FWC chopper on patrol!
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Dragonfly aerial view of Chekika Island hammock in the Everglades.
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Final approach to Chekika Island!
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Gorgeous lush and wet pond-trench along the perimeter of the higher interior of Chekika Island.
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Dry interior “clearing” on Chekika Island with mostly Mahogany and some Gumbo-limbo trees.
Note the old scientific equipment!
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Near the southern end of the dry interior of Chekika Island.
Is this where the camp once stood?
CLICK for interactive panorama!

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Visiting Chief Chekika’s island hideaway in the Everglades!

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Where in the world is Chekika Island? What’s the big deal?

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Why is it important?

Click for full story:

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

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/chief-chekikas-not-so-secret-island-hideaway-in-the-everglades/

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More panoramas at:

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

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! Bless UP

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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!

.

A kayak journey under the Bridge – the One-mile Tamiami Trail bridge!

Water under the Bridge – a new chapter in the story of the Everglades!

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Paddling under the Everglades Skyway – the one-mile Tamiami Trail bridge over Shark River slough
CLICK for story!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/everglades-national-park/sloughs/paddling-under-the-everglades-skyway-the-one-mile-tamiami-trail-bridge-over-shark-river-slough/

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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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Under the Bridge
! Bless

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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!

With that said..
Blessings friends!

Shark Valley with a Twist! (On the Grass with wheels, bicycles and paddles)

Video account of a short adventure that took all day.

Kayaking to Seagrape Hammock, aka Willoughby Key in the Everglades!

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“Shark Valley with a Twist!”

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Read full story here:

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

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Experimental Everglades exploration and photography in the style of the 1898 classic book “Across the Everglades“, by Hugh L. Willoughby.

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Special thanks to David Warfel for collaborating and creating this entertaining video!

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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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! BLESS – Breathe in the Air

The Dead can kayak in the Everglades – Dia de los Muertos edition!

Dia de Muertos en los Everglades.

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Some people have a skeleton in the closet, but I have a skeleton in my kayak!

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CLICK any pic to enter!

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“Are we having fun yet?”
Kayakfari ART Photography – Kayaking Dia de los Muertos in the Everglades!

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“This is my good side”
Kayakfari ART Photography – Kayaking Dia de los Muertos in the Everglades!

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“Dia de Muertos en los Everglades”
Kayakfari ART Photography – Kayaking Dia de los Muertos in the Everglades!

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The Dead can paddle the Everglades !

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/kayakfari-art/art-of-dia-de-muertos-en-los-everglades-the-skeleton-in-my-kayak/

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Enjoy!

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BLESS All Souls!

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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!

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, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

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!

A Dark Sabbath in the Everglades: The Halloween legend of “Kaya Kay”!

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The dark legend of Kaya Kay and the Great White Alligator!

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A spooky Halloween kayaking apparition in the Everglades – NSFK. Not Safe for Kids!

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This year Halloween falls on the Dark Sabbath!

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CLICK any pic – if you DARE!

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“Kaya Kay – the ghost paddler of the Everglades”
Kayakfari ART Photography – a Darkness in the Everglades!

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“Never too dark to paddle”
Kayakfari ART Photography – a Darkness in the Everglades!

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“Great white beast of the dark depths”
Kayakfari ART Photography – a Darkness in the Everglades!

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“The Darkest Sabbath”
Kayakfari ART Photography – a Darkness in the Everglades!

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May your Halloween paddling be filled with fright and darkness!

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BLESS 8 bit Sabbath!

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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!

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, nor person, nor kayak was harmed in the making of this work. The author is sorely responsible for the contents of this work!

…

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!

Poling and Paddling: Everglades Conservation Areas – the case for Grass Paddling!

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Modes of travel in the Everglades:

Yesterday, today & tomorrow!

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(click pic)

Grass paddling and poling in the Everglades Water Conservation Areas.
CLICK for story!

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Enjoy!

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! BLESS

Pedal and Paddle in Shark Valley: The kayak and the wheel, a symbiotic relationship.

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A short adventure that took all day..

kayaking to Seagrape Hammock, aka Willoughby Key in the Everglades!

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(click pic)

Aerial dragon fly view of Seagrape Hammock aka Willoughby Key in the Shark River slough.
CLICK for story!

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Experimental Everglades exploration and photography in the style of the 1898 classic book “Across the Everglades“, by Hugh L. Willoughby.

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Enjoy!

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Green Grass & High Tides
BLESS!

 

The neon day-glo airboat Mothership of the Sawgrass Prairies!

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PREVIEW:

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I know that the airboat and the kayak can coexist peacefully !

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(click pics)

On the neon day-glo Mothership of the Sawgrass Prairies!
CLICK for interactive airboating panorama over the endless sawgrass expanses!

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The airboat – kayak Mothership of the Otter Clan!

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Siempre Loving the Everglades! 🙂

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Special thanks to Houston Cypress and Renée Manyari of

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 Love the Everglades Movement,

an organization  which promotes awareness of Everglades ecosystem restoration efforts and issues.

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Stay tuned for follow up story ..

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Try more interactive panoramas here:

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

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Different Colors – ONE People. BLESS!

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© 2015 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, poling and camping on a Miccosukee tree island hammock in the Everglades!

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PREVIEW:

A visit to a special tree island hammock in the Everglades – with interactive panoramas!

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(click pics)

Paddling around a small tree island hammock on an airboat trail in the Everglades.
CLICK for aerial 360 spin around view over the sawgrass expanses!

Enjoy these interactive panoramas from a recent visit to a small tree island hammock paradise in the Everglades.

This special place is called “Antooch-chokole” in the native Hitchiti-Mikasuki language – translated as “Where the little Pot sits”. It has been sacred ground for generations of Miccosukee Native Americans.

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(from AwakentheGrass.com)

View of the island from the kayak on the trail.
CLICK for super-wide panorama of the tree island hammock in Water Conservation Area 3A.

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Chickee huts in the interior of the island hammock. On the horizon is the eastern boundary of Big Cypress National Preserve!
CLICK for aerial view of private hammock tree island interior in the Everglades.

In the above aerial panorama you can spot our host Houston Cypress – at home with his iPad! He is a member of the Miccosukee Otter Clan, who’s family owns this sacred land. Houston is also one of the founders of Love the Everglades Movement, an organization  which promotes awareness of Everglades ecosystem restoration efforts and issues.

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Incredible star gazing in the Everglades on a sacred Native American Miccosukee tree island hammock in Water Conservation Area 3A.
CLICK for starry night super-panorama!

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Special thanks to Houston and Renée Manyari for sharing this special place with me – and allowing me to present a slice of their world to you! 🙂

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Stay tuned for a story to follow real soon..

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Try more interactive panoramas here:

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

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BLESS – Respect!

 

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An invitation to paddling forgotten trails of Gladesmen, Gator hunters, Outlaws & Moonshiners in the Everglades!

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Everglades Exploration Network Invitational 2014 paddle

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An invitation to paddling forgotten trails of Gladesmen, Gator hunters, Outlaws & Moonshiners in the Everglades!

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(click pic)

What’s in your Lard Can?

 

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Adventures in the Bill Ashley Jungles: I’ve seen the Paurotis, but where is my Lard Can?

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“Roots Paddling”, yeah?

Enjoy!

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“Law Fe De Outlaw!“

 

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Everglades Exploration Network 2014 Invitational paddle – Paurotis Pond and Lard Can aerial panoramics!

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Everglades Exploration Network Invitational 2014 paddle – a teaser.

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Enjoy these interactive aerial panoramas from the trip! 🙂

Kayakfari ART photography

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(click pics)

On the way in the Bill Ashley Jungles, but where is my Lard Can ?

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Good morning – the “Widow maker” welcomes you!

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Stay tuned, full story to follow real soon..

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In the meantime, try more interactive panoramas here:

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

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CLICK Sharp Blessings!

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