Acknowledgement #2

Additionally, I would like to thank the following people for the thoughtful contributions to my kayaking journey:

Barbi....  photographer, family friend, realtor extraordinaire. Thank you for the dry box and "Keys Connections".  Your assistance with my properties, rather deployed overseas, or kayaking, has been so thoughtful and appreciated!

Tim and Janet..... Thank you for the timely connection to Joel and Brandi.  I enjoy the time that I get to spend with you guys in FT. Lauderdale.

Corey.... Thanks for picking me up at the end of my journey.  Spearfishing and motorboating with you was a great way to segway from the kayaking.

Molly..... Thank you for all of the late night chats, inspiration, and intriguing thoughts. I always looked forward to catching up with you while away.

Joel and Brandi.... To the best sailboat hosts!  It was so fun to stay with you guys on your sailboat.  You are a really fun couple and I look forward to future adventures with you.

Thanks to all those who provided thoughtful suppport and light for this trip.  Hope this chapter of my blog adventure provided some enjoyable moments for you.  It has been an honor to share my travel with you.

Signing off.

Jonathan Kincaid

Acknowledgements #1

Many people contributed to making this trip a success. I would to expecially thank the following people:

GMA Aften, thank you for lending me your infinite wisdom on the the trip planning side of the house.  You are incredibly kind, and most appreciated,  to have joined me at Pennekamp for my launch on your 73rd birthday. You are awesome!  Also,thank you for imbuing in my siblings, and I, a love of travel, foreign language, and the arts.... the finer things in life.

GMA and GPA Kincaid, thank you for turning me on to outdoor adventure!  You two are a testimony to all for healthy living.   Your frequent communication and support are always appreciated.  You've taught me the virtues of unconditional love and reliability. I so look forward to hiking in S. Dakota with you!

Hannah.... you are awesome!  I couldn't ask for a more intelligent, fun, and interesting sister.  You've found great symetry between your stimulating work and conscious living.  I'm very proud of you!  The solar panneled cell-phone charger is most valued.  Thank you!

Mom..... thanks for all the great encouragement along the way!  Your text messages and blog sharing were fantastic. I also really appreciated the generous REI gift certificates, that you and Greg provided, which assisted in outfitting my journey.  You have always been so supportive and positive for all of my endeavors.  You are appreciated!

Dad.... Thank you for providing great literature for the journey!  You've always done a great job of ensuring that your children have educative and enriching experiences. Your first book, "Death Walk at Acoma" was dedicated to me...... "To Jonathan, my eldest son, may you always find adventure".   Thank you for all of your support and inspiring/progressive ideas.  I'll continue to find adventure.

Circumnavigation Complete

Yesterday, 06 May, around1230 P.M., I completed my circumnavigation of the Keys at John Pennekamp Park,which served as both start point and terminus to this adventure. I was met by my neighbor/friend Corey. We went out spearfishing and snorkeling from Corey's boat.  It felt damn good to be in a motorboat, and out of the kayak.  I got my first confirmed spearfishing kill.  I speared a "Sheepshead" fish, host to two sizeable fillets.  Corey and I will head back in a week or so to continue the hunt, looking to do a neighborhood "fish fry" after the next one.

I slowed my paddle stroke yesterday, as I flowed in to the channel which runs to Pennekamp. It was hard to believe that this journey was about to end.  After 208 miles, countless paddle strokes, bushwacking to camping sights,  surmountable setbacks (broken GPS) and beauty abounding.... my journey was over, yet just beginning.

Throughout this journey, I met a lot of interesting people.  Many of whom shared that they had always wanted to do something similar, but life, work, etc.... had disallowed them.  This journey was for all of those who are not able to journey,  for reasons imagined or otherwise. 

May we always pursue the courage to adventure, intestinal fortitude to persevere, wisdom to enrich others lives along the way, and open-mindedness to transcend the trappings of a proscribed existence. (JCK)

Less is more.  Live under your means. Happiness, nor true financial freedom, is determined by expensive cars, flashy jewelry, or the latest clothing line.  Build your appreciating assets and let your money money work for you.

Thank you for all of your support for my circumnavigation of the Keys by kayak journey.  I've loved receiving blog feedback from you all. I hope that my blog and travel adventures afforded you some pleasurable moments throughout your days.  Writing about the people and adventures certainly made for a rich/memorable experience, for me.

Please check out my final blog post for an "acknowledgements" page.... a tribute and thank you to all that have assisted, advised, and enriched my journey.

Future adventure's, with accompanying titles, I'm contemplating are:

1.  A Soldier's reflections on the Appallachain Trail
2.  Jonathan motorcycles America (Pacific Northwest concentration w/ Napa Valley tour)
3.  You can have your Paella and it, too (Adventures from Spain).
4.  Jonathan re-discovers the Gringo Trail (Adventures from Mexico"
5. USAA Road-Side Assistance to an 18 Wheeler: country cafes, strawberry wine, catfish, and driving myself to a PhD

Mile Marker 84

I began this morning with breakfast at "Shula's 2" around MM 84 in the "Postcard Inn" marina.  Following a yogurt parfait, bagel, and breakfast potatoes, I will push to complete my circumnavigation of the Keys, today.  Only 20 miles remain to John Pennicamp, start point and terminus to this adventure.

04 May 2014 - Evening Time

As I lie here in my tent, the hour is just past 9:00 p.m. I've bushwacked again for my camping spot.  I'm pleased, having found a grassy knoll on the shoreline to pitch my tent, very comfortable and free.  It's hard to believe that I've almost finished a circumnavigation of the Keys by kayak.  I believe myself to be around MM 85.  My starting and ending point, John Pennekamp, is at MM 104.  I anticipate finishing this journey tomorrow evening or the following morning.  This has been an incredible journey.  There are many great people to which I'm thankful.  (Credits page and future adventure update still to come:-)

I'm looking forward to my return to FT Lauderdale.  Upon return, I plan to revel in a cozy bed, my guitar, and a good book.  Then I will embark upon a 48 hr meditation/fast to fully complete and reflect upon this kayaking journey.

Long Key State Park "Remote Camping"

Long Key State Park for "remote camping" is totally the way to go.  I paid $8.13 for my remote camping spot, which is a wooden deck elevated above the mangrove, accessible either by kayak, or a long wooden bridge.  The sight is joined by great nature trails, and a conveniance store only a 1/2 mile N. Down the road on US 1.  Great price, remote camping on platforms, friendly Park Ranger.... Long Key State Park "remote camping" sights are the way to go.  The park is located around MM 67 just off of US 1.

Brandi, Joel, and Sahara Dust

Last night, darkness quickly approaching, I was met by family friends Joel and Brandi fromthe top of their dock.  Joel was scouting for me.  Joel and Brandi are incredibly fun, hospitable, and free-spirited. They hosted me on their beautiful sailboat, "Sahara Dust".  Brandi and Joel both work in the IT field, smart folk who live in their sailboat year round, comfortable accomodation, too! 

Last night we went to Sparky"s Bar and Grille for good convo., live music, fish tacos, flatbread salad, and beers.  This morning, over coffee, Joel pariently taught me the "big three" of knot tying: bowline, clove hitch, and cleat hitch.  I'm feeling much more knowledgeable and confident in my knot tying skills.  Thanks CPT Joel! Brandi made us breakfast burritos this morning, delicious and hearty.

Janet, thank you for connecting Joel, Brandi, and me!  Joel and Brandi are great people and wonderful hosts.
After reviewing the maps, Long Key State Park is the goal for today.  It hosts tent camping.

Pictures below include: Joel, Brandi, me holding a freshly tied Bowline knot, and Sahara Dust

Celebration at the Sunset Grille and Raw Bar

After finishing a gruelling paddle of the waters spanning the 7 Mile Bridge, which connects Ohio Key to Marathon Key, I've landed for celebratory sushi, beers, and a swim at the "Sunset Grille and Rawbar". (MM 49).  I'll put in some more miles today, planning to continue to stay on the Gulf Side, which is far less choppy.

Bahia Honda State Park (Bilge Break)

With 20 knot winds and whitecaps, kayaking the Atlantic was a battle this morning. Continuing on the Atlantic side today lies in the pause between"screw" and "that".   I'll continue on the Bay side, today.  Winds are forecasted to die down tomorrow.

I've found Bahia Honda State Park, from where I currently write.  After a coffee, protein rich tuna sandwhich, and a powerade; I'm ready to hit the seas again. 

Pictures are of Bahia Honda State Park (MM 38)

Mile Marker 35

I continue to kayak north along the Atlantic.  I've stopped for the evening around mile marker 35, which was five miles short of my goal for today.  I think the late start and leisurely breakfast at "Mangrove Mamas" put me a bit behind  my usual pace of 20 miles per day.  I've found a great camping spot, hiked out to an enjoyable dinner, and plan to rise early for another 20 miler tomorrow.  I scored a beautiful conch shell while kayaking the flats in low tide today.

Hardcore Pineapples.... We do it right!

I just stopped for an organic pineapple lunch w/ almonds at a beach spot around MM 28. New discovery on how to most enjoyably eat a pineapple.... skin it, and eat around the core, rotating it like corn on the cob.  No more of these dainty fork and knife bites.  I bit in deep, getting succulent juicy mouthfulls of this pulpy fruit, and it was so enjoyable.  One can rotate it around, eating to the core, choosing along the way which fun juicy bites to take.  Perhaps I'll start a food truck selling "pineapples on the cob".  Any ideas on brand names?  Perhaps I'll roll it into my LLC.  I'm thinking "Hardcore Pineapples.... We do it right!"  Any interested investors.... talk to me.  We can get this going for 10-15K.

Mangrove Mama's

Mangrove Mama's,  nestled in at mile marker 20 is home to an outstanding breakfast, friendly waitstaff, and breezy outdoor/covered patios; I highly recommend dropping by Mangrove Mama's on your way down to Key West (MM 20) just south of the bridge on the west side of the road. (Pictures below)

So, I arrived at the Sugerloaf KOA campground around 6:00 P.M. last night.  My intent was pure and prudent.  I just wanted to drop by The KOA restaurant, in order to calorie binge before heading out to find another camp sight I could bushwack too. Well folks, I sucombed to the KOA laundry facility, showers, aloe vera sunburn gel, and 10% military discount.  My time in Key West has made me weak, and easily succeptable to the allure of fresh water to bathe and wash my clothes in. 

Okay, time to hit the kayaking trail today!  I'll remain oceanside.  My goal is another 20 miles, today, putting me around MM 40 by nightfall.

I've been getting great feedback on this blog! If you have any questions/comments, feel free to send them directly to my personal e-mail:  Jonathan.Kincaid1@yahoo.com