The Daily Dose – 18 mile New Year’s loop to kick off 2022!

The fourth annual Gerry Blackstone

New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle.

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(tap or click pic to read)

Nobody wants to get a speeding ticket on January 1st!
The 2022 Gerry Blackstone New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle around Ft Lauderdale.

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This is an 18 mile paddling loop around Ft Lauderdale which connects the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), the New River in Ft Lauderdale and the Dania Cut-Off Canal. The route was popularized by the late Gerry Blackstone, who was an active New York City based paddler with the the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club. He loved to spend his winters paddling around South Florida and pioneered this paddle. After he passed away in 2018, this annual event has been named in his honor.

This is a great way to see what’s new in town,

and an excellent overview of Ft Lauderdale from the water!

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Happy New Year!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/events/the-2022-gerry-blackstone-new-years-day-memorial-paddle-around-ft-lauderdale/

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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!

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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!

…

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 – Looking ahead to 2022!

OMG, is it really 2022 already?

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(tap or click pic to read)

I think I woke up too early for this.
The Everglades are for the birds!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The birds of South Florida are the real super heroes.

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/wildlife/the-everglades-are-for-the-birds/

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! Bless UP

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© 2022 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.com. All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved!

…

DISCLAIMER:

The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂

The Daily Dose – Paddling has been my affordable health care plan for 30 years.

Taking care of mind, body & soul!

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Giving Thanks – 30 year Kayakversary of

“Fitness, Adventure and Art on the High Seas”.

(tap or click pic to read)

“What a long, strange Trip it’s been!”
Giving Thanks for 30 years of active paddling, adventure and photography!

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Every paddle is like a new beginning and always different –

the eternal freshness of a new beginning.

Paddling never gets old!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/reality-check/giving-thanks-for-25-years-of-active-paddling-and-photography/

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! Bless UP & TESTIFY

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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 – In 30 years of active paddling, I never forgot my first kayak love!

It was back in 1991 when I first became

a kayak beach bum with the

“Thrasher”.

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(tap or click pic to read)

Before I started wearing masks, I was bare like Tarzan! 😉
You never forget your first, well kayak – from 1991 !

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Take the time to remember your first!

I feel fortunate to have started paddling early in life in warm and sunny South Florida. A time when mistakes, accidents and misadventures tended not to leave permanent marks yet! In retrospect, those early paddling days were more formative than I could have ever imagined. Struggling through the stability and boat handling issues in those early days has paid off handsomely as I regularly paddle and surf 16 inch wide boats with ease decades later.

My first kayak started me on a lifelong journey of ..

“Fitness, Adventure and Art on the High Seas”!

🙂

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/reality-check/you-never-forget-your-first-well-kayak-from-1991/

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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!

🙂

Coronavirus Quarantine Kayaking Dose – Day 2

No paddling today,

further water access restrictions implemented in South Florida. 😦

 

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic worldwide shutdown and lockout enabled me to finish up this custom SOT foot plate project!

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(click pic for details)

RTM Disco kayak customization on Day 2 of my Coronavirus self quarantine, social distancing and involuntary vacation.
Custom SOT kayak solid foot plate for the RTM Disco!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/tech/custom-sot-kayak-solid-foot-plate-for-the-rtm-disco/

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When the going gets tough, the tough go Disco.

See you on the water!

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Bless UP!

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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!

…

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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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!

🙂

 

Coronavirus Quarantine Kayaking Dose – Day 1

So far, so good, so what?!

Self quarantine, Social Distancing and isolation going well.

Was even able to sneak in a lil surf session!

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(click pic for more craziness)

Surf’s UP – Going Full Tilt on Day 1 of my Coronavirus Involuntary Vacation!
Kayaking the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic Worldwide Shutdown and Lockout.

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/kayakfari-art/art-of-darkness-kayaking-the-final-frontier-of-imaging-and-photography/

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Bless UP!

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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!

…

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!

…

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!

🙂

 

Paddling and the Corona Virus Pandemic – bring on the private sessions!

Get on the water – where you can get to it!

The world is not ending, but access to get on the water is seriously dwindling. Many beaches have already been closed to prevent transmission of the Covid-19 “Corona” virus.

Florida State Parks remain open, albeit with reduced capacity and operating hours. One great place to launch directly into the ocean in South Florida is at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park  (formerly John U. Lloyd St Pk). The park is well known for Whiskey Creek, however it also encompasses the very last few miles of undeveloped beach left in Broward county. Pandemic or not, I’m often surprised that I hardly ever see paddlers other than myself enjoying the Atlantic!

(click pic)

East on-shore winds at 12-18 knots, seas 2 – 5 feet : fine conditions for paddling the Grey Ghost (Stellar SES).
The water really is fine at Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park!

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The park is also one of the very, very few places where a short portage can take you from the ocean to the intracoastal waterway – or vice versa. The water quality is generally really good and clear and a refreshing swim is always nice.

Solo sessions – just do it !!* 🙂

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(* Please remember to paddle within your skill level and remember your limitations. It’s easy to over estimate your abilities until you get chewed up and spat out of the surf zone. Be confident of your remounts and/or rolls before heading out into the Ocean. It’s always a good idea to leave a float plan with someone who loves you!! )

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/urban-paddling-in-south-flaariduh-florida/whiskey-creek-john-u-lloyd-state-park/

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Bless UP!

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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!

…

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!

…

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!

🙂

 

2020 New Year’s Loop – The second annual Gerry Blackstone New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle

Paddling into the New Year,

not putting up with any more sh*t !!

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It may be hard to believe that no fewer than six main sewer breaks occurred in Ft Lauderdale going into the third decade of the 21st century! Spilling over 125 000 000 gallons of the stinky stuff into the local waterways. A direct consequence of neglect, over development and passing the buck. The Miami area is not much better, sadly with ongoing line breaks and releases into Biscayne Bay. In many way South Florida is a microcosm of the United States as a whole in terms of crumbling infrastructure that we all depend on, every single day!!

As such this annual event was re-staged as a 12 mile loop further down south in Hollywood instead.

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The second annual Gerry Blackstone New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle was held at West Lake Park in Hollywood, Florida. This paddle, always held on the first of the year is an 18 mile loop through Ft Lauderdale – connecting the ICW, Dania Cutoff Canal and the New River. The route was popularized by the late Gerry Blackstone, who was an active New York City based paddler with the the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club. He loved to spend his winters paddling in South Florida and pioneered this paddling loop.

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(click pic for more!)

Ted Perron aka “Kayak Ted” – the organizer of the second annual Gerry Blackstone New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle.
The second annual Gerry Blackstone New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle – 2020

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/events/the-second-annual-gerry-blackstone-new-years-day-memorial-paddle-2020/

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! BLESS

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© 2020 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!

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!

…

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!

🙂

Reality check – between a rock and a hard place!

Kayak vs Cruise ship – hydraulics & rip currents.

The MS Oasis of the Seas is so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!

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(click any pic to enter)

Rip current hydraulic – a cruise ship so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!
CLICK to enter!

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Rip current hydraulic – a cruise ship so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!

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Rip current hydraulic – a cruise ship so big that it actually drains the water out of Port Everglades inlet!
CLICK to enter!

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Be safe and enjoy your paddling!

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! BLESS

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© 2017 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.com . All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved!

…

DISCLAIMER:

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!

Paddling and Playing on Whiskey Creek at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park.

Paddling and Playing on Whiskey Creek in Dania Beach:

What’s in a new name?

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The recently renamed Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, formerly John U. Lloyd State Park is still the same jewel of Broward County – but now with even more history!

The new name is to commemorate two civil rights activists who worked to integrate beaches for all to enjoy. The new name reflects the combined efforts of civil rights leaders Dr. Von D Mizell and Eula Gandy Johnson, both of whom played key roles in the creation of what would later become today’s park. Firstly in the establishment of a “colored” beach and eventual road access to the current location. Secondly, both were then instrumental in the desegregation of Ft Lauderdale’s beaches in the early 1960’s! Although done for a good cause, the name change met with some controversy as neither John Lloyd’s widow nor his heirs were even notified. It is unfortunate that John U. Lloyd’s name has been completely dropped, since as an attorney, he was ultimately responsible for transferring the undeveloped property into the state parks system to keep it out of developer’s hands. This is why the park had been named after him since 1976! Hopefully his long standing name can be re-instated on another level, perhaps as a new name for the Dania Beach Blvd bridge as has already been suggested!

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(click on any pic to enter!)

CLICK for story:
Paddling on Whiskey Creek at Mizell-Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park in Dania Beach.

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CLICK for story:
Paddling on Whiskey Creek at Mizell-Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park in Dania Beach.

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CLICK for story:
Paddling on Whiskey Creek at Mizell-Johnson (John U Lloyd) State Park in Dania Beach.

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Revised and Updated for your Paddling Pleasure!

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https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/random-gallery-2/florida-south-florida/urban-paddling-in-south-flaariduh-florida/whiskey-creek-john-u-lloyd-state-park/

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! BLESS

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© 2016 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.com . All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved!

…

DISCLAIMER:

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!