Why I'm attempting the 100 Mile NPS Paddle Challenge

The news that these people had left their own country to bathe in the river Jordan, spread among all the kings and chiefs of Florida, and as they were an ignorant people, they all set out in search of this river, which was supposed to possess the power of rejuvenating old men and women. So eager were they in their search, that they did not pass a river, a brook, a lake, or even a swamp, without bathing in it; and, even to this day, they have not ceased to look for it, but always without any success.

- Memoir Of Hernando D’Escalante Fontaneda 1575

I'm not expecting to find the Fountain of Youth, but I needed some kind of cross training upper body workout to supplement (i.e. give my knees a break) my long distance running. As with signing up for a marathon it is simply a way of maintaining my motivation to keep exercising. I much prefer training outside versus working out in a gym. So kayaking (and the occasional period oared powered vessel), seemed like a good fit.

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Moving up the coast I arrived in St. Augustine. In the morning at high tide I launched at the Vilano boat ramp. Note, "high tide" this area can have as much as a four foot difference between high an low tide on a regular basis. At high tide it was easy enough to make my way though the needlegrass flats along the west shore of the St. John's River past the Fountain of Youth, the Great Cross, and to the Castillo itself. At low tide I would have been dragging across oyster beds. On my return I used the main channel and found it little different from negotiating the Manatee River in contrast from Matanzas on the previous day.


The Great Cross at the Mission de Nombre de Dios in the background.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Replica Spanish boat.

I did mention that I was in town for a reenactment.

My camera lens got wet and couldn't get a good selfie at the Castillo proper - but I did get chance to visit later on.

CASA

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)