Tent Camping

I've spent the last two night's tent camping at remote spots.  While in sore need of a shower, I'm pleased with my resourcefulness/frugality.  Due in main part, to my mechanical ineptitude, I had a difficult time setting up the poles for the front part...... so I rigged it with string, in order to counter against what I identified as an immenent structural demise. Spent last night 4/23 camping on a private island.  It was me, the birds, and twosizeable iguanas.  When I woke this morning, I identified that my tent had been targeted by organic seagull strafings overnight.  I took the cue and departed at 0630 this morning, 4/24.

Kayaking the Conch

Yesterday was a pleasurable day kayaking Conch Key.  The shorline was repleit with stacked lobster traps, but the most memorable catch was Laurie and her son Matthew, who own the delicatessen inside the Bayside Inn Motel.  If traveling through Conch Key, visiting Laurie and Matthew is a must.   Laurie makes a mean gyro and thick stacked grilled ham sandwhich.  Laurie and Matthew were a pleasure to chat with.  She sent me off with water jug filled, complimentary fruit for the voyage, and a seram wrapped ham sandwhich.  See Laurie, Matthew, and the lobster traps of Conch Key inthe associated imagery.

Zen and the Art of Kayaking

After departing Bob's Bunz this morning, I paddled down a scenic channel, canopied and walled by mangroves.  After paddling across a choppy bay I landed on what appeared to be a jetty of Islamorada.
I walked down "Spanish Steps" to access a private swim in the cove.  I dawned snorkel gear, dive knife, and speargun.  The dive knife and speargun were not for hunting, but rather to defend against a possible shark attack.   After swimming around for a little bit, it. felt too much like a "movement to contact".  So.... I traded my weapons for my yoga mat, sat in the sun, and enjoyed zen meditation instead.  Then I gave a devotion to Ra for the great sunshine today and thanked Poseidon for making the seas safe.  My Wilderness Kayak 120 is proving its worth.  While a larger kayak would probably be smoother, while also hosting more storage capacity, my 120 is reliable and keeps water out of the storage hold.  I'm happy to have found a free place to camp tonight.  Update on the digs in the morning.

Bob's Bunz- Mile Marker 82

Getting a late start today w/ breakfast at Bob's Bunz on Islamorada.  I've acqired detailed waterproof maps of the upper and lower keys.  GPS out.... maps, terrain association, and compass in.  I'm on the Gulf Side of Islamorada, near mile marker 82.  Today I continue south.   There are many islands that I will need to make my way around... today will be one of the more challenging navigational days.  However, I'm well rested, fed, hydrated, and outfitted with the appropriate eqipment to navigate.  Feels good to have the proper gear.  As usual, one can only do so much preparation.  You really figure out what works when in the saddle moving forward.

La Jolla Resort in Islamorada

It's 3:00 PM Easter Sunday and I've checked in to the La Jolla resort on Islamorada.  After covering 20 miles in 21 hrs I'm exhausted.  If I were to keep this pace up, and weather held, I would complete my Keys circumnavigation in 10-12 days.  After having my beach slumber interrupted by "Billy the Preacher, at 0330 and "Eastern Ireland Paradaise Cafe for breakfast".... I proceeded to haul ass until 3:00 PM this afternoon.  Today a spied a jumping Marlin, sting ray, and multiple seagulls, while thinking about sharks.
My right hand is beginning to develop a blister.  Working through it is the plan for now... I'll save the mits for paella, later.  Big event for the day was the lost capability of my nautical GPS.  Somehow the GPS slipped under my seat and the screen cracked, rendering it unreadable.  I'll drop by the Marina tomorrow, in the hope that they have waterproof NOAA Keys maps in stock.  I'm looking forward to the purist challenge of navigating by map and coast line.  Screw digital.... makes the mind weak:-)  But Blogspot sure is fun!

Feliz Easter/4-20 from Easter Island

Hello from Easter Island.  I celebrated Easter this morning on my own private island..... shared only with the seagulls and their organic presents.  I left one for them too;-)   Ate brkfst on the island: avocado, cashews, tamarindos, coffee with sterno heated H20, and my vitamins.  Think I see a creek which will take me over to the Gulf side, still on the Atlantic.  Going against the Northbound current has not been difficult. OBJ Islamorada is the goal for today.  Should be about 9 miles from current location on Easter Island.  Hoping to locate another private island to celebrate this Easter Sunday/4-20 and read Dad (Greg Kincaid's) latest book, " Tantric Coconut".  Wishing I had brought  a uke to strum.

Happy Easter

Around 1100 P.M. last night, I pulled my kayak over some imposing rocks, assuredly emplaced to keep beach crashers like myself out, and settled down next to my kayak for some shut eye.  At 3:30 A.M a truck w/ a sizeable trailer backs in.  They commence to begin setting up: stage, lights, instruments.  I chose the spot where preacher "Billy Bob" plans to host today's Easter mass.  I will not be in attendence.  No coffee.  I'm heading South in my kayak.