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

Erosion



An occupational hazard of Land Surveyors is always to be on the lookout for survey markers.  it becomes instinct   - I found myself spotting them in Spain - not that I'd ever have occasion to need to use them.  So why not paddle selfies next to survey markers.

Can you spot the orange carsonite witness post?  Left edge of the photo by the tree.
See the survey marker sticking up out of the water?  
It is hard to read the brass disc -C38 Line 3 US CE 1779 - if you are curious. 
'Looking across the river towards Emerson Point

 
The marker at Shaw's Point is even  more extreme example of erosion at work.
Paddling past the nearly submerged marker at Shaw's Point.

 This is how the beach looked in 1960, before the Visitor's Center was constructed

Aerial view of the landing reenactment in March of 1960.

.And today, a view of the same area from the water.

Rock armoring against erosion at the north end of De Soto National Memorial


Evidence Hernando de Soto's original landing site in 1539 has never been found archaeologically in the area of the Memorial, or anywhere else for that matter.  His base camp which was occupied by some 600 men and 220 horses should have left some evidence, but perhaps it has just eroded away into the ocean over the past centuries.

 

 

DESO

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

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