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

Fort Matanzas National Monument



 The second park on my paddle adventure list was Fort Matanzas NM.  I'd been warned from googling paddle launch sites that the Matanzas inlet could be rough and in this case it certainly was.  Even with a good stiff wind against my back it took 30 minutes of hard paddling just to get to the Fort itself (about half a mile)  though it got easier as I passed the Fort.  I think it took about 10 minutes to get back to my launching site at the board walk.  At times it seemed that I was making no progress and I was tempted to ground the kayak and just walk it along the beach. 

 

Ft. Matanzas in the background, by the time I got a decent photo I'd drifted quite a bit.

 I did see some dolphins feed in the inlet, but luck getting photos.


 

 

FOMA

#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

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