I got my patch!

 It's been month since I last paddled at a National Park.  Now that the pressure is off I did a bit of kayaking on the Braden River a couple of weeks ago.  Although the weather has gotten cooler it doesn't look like I'll get a chance to kayak at Everglades or Big Cypress before the Years' end, much less the Dry Tortugas.   I has yesterday off from work so I did a noon time paddle  rather than my usual early morning as its in the sixties in the morning , great for running but not so much for sit-on-top kayaking.

 It was high tide and a bit choppy and windy.  I did see some mullet jumping, which was about it for wildlife.  I did cross paths with a couple of other kayakers but more of a friendly nod then anything else.  When I got back to the Park I ran into Ranger Kyle who handed my my official Centennial Paddle challenge patch.

Mullet jumping.

The Memorial is planning for something of a presentation ceremony before the end of the year for the few of us locally who have completed the 100 miles.  But at least now I have had the chance to add the patch to my kayaking backpack.

I seem to be overly fond of orange.

 

 

 

 

DESO

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

Derp

I mostly used a decade  old Olympus waterproof camera for taking the requisite selfies for the  Centennial Paddle Challenge.  Unlike modern smart phones this camera does not have a front/rear view camera setting, so my selfies were taken by holding the camera out at arms length and taking a bunch of photos and hoping that some would turn out usable.  I think I got to about a one out of five postable pics by the end.  In addition to face cut off, blurry, bad lighting etc. there were others that were in daughter's terms "derp"

 Of course even one someone else takes the photo you may still wind up with derp face or worse.

Bradenton Area Half Marathon October 15, 2016

DERP

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

Final Paddle Miles

Post hurricane Matthew and Columbus Day weekend seemed as good a time as any to finish up the National Park Service Centennial Paddle Challenge.  That the temperature had dropped into the low 70's made it just that much better. 

Hurricane Matthew was just a minor wind event in these parts.  The only thing I noticed at the park was an overturned bench along the beach.  Although whether it was the result of wave action or minor mischief I know not.

There wasn't much boat traffic early in the morning so I paddled across the river to Emerson point.

Headed for the washed up sailboat that's been grounded for months.

As I headed back towards the memorial the wind had picked up quite a bit, and it got quite rought as I headed to the cove area.

On an intercept course for the Ranger led Kayak Tour

In the cove I hit the 100 mile mark and took my selfie - actually I took a lot but this one turned out best.

Two miles into today's paddle and I hit the 100 mile mark!

 

DESO

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

Low Tide

I'm getting close to finishing up the 100 mile paddle challenge.  I think I've now explored every nook and cranny  in around the waters of De Soto National Memorial, but for a change when I arrived it was low tide, damn close to to MLLW.

Low Tide at  De Soto National Memorial

 I ended up dragging my kayak out into the grass flats quite a ways just to get enough water to paddle. For my birthday my wife bought me a camera chest harness, so I played with it a bit on this paddle.

  The biggest problem is that trying to keep the paddle from being  directly in front of the camera lens leads to a rather awkward stroke.

 

 At this extremely low tide, fallen columns from the "lost temple" become exposed.

 

 

 Even at low tide I can not find any sign of the old NPS survey monument at De Soto Point.

I'm not sure if just eroded out and collapse or was deliberately removed as a navigation hazard.

On my return I followed the edge of the marked channel and got some wake riding in.

DESO

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

Robinson Preserve, Again.

Robinson Preserve is quite popular with kayakers in the area.  The park has several miles of internal paddle trails, entry into the surrounding bays and river and the best launching access of any spot in the county.

Gentle slope of hard packed sand.

A concrete drop off/pickup lane.

A washing facility with hoses!

With the tide coming in its a fairly easy paddle going up river to De Soto NM.

A half mile of paddling gets one to the tower.  Unlike Emerson point the paddle trails at Robinson are well marked.

I landed at the tower and climbed to the top. A clear, calm , sunny morning.

 

 From the tower lagoon I headed north  and then west to the outlet into the Manatee River.

 

To get to the outlet you paddle past and under the boardwalk

 

What is this sign ahead?

 In an overabundance of caution the County has installed a warning sign, before you reach the river.

Although its is not the dead calm of the internal paddle trails. the current is hardly a white water rapid.

CAUTION -Strong currents ahead at paddle outlet-Know your skill level

 

Outlet into the Manatee River

From the outlet at Robinson its about a mile paddle up river to get to De Soto.

It was a pretty calm day on the river, but I did manage to catch some heavy wake.

I paddled around the cove for a bit, and nothing caught my eye so I headed back to Robinson.

In the cove and headed back.

At this point I need a bit of a break and landed by the Tabby House ruins.

My legs stretched a bit I , returned to paddling down river.  Said High to the Park Ranger who was leading a group on a tour.

The current was with me as I made my way back into Robinson.  It was more a matter of steering than paddling I sat back and enjoyed the free ride.

Robinson Preserve

DESO

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark