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.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Closed!

So post Hurricane Hermine, now that the weather was nice again I went to De Soto National Memorial at my usual early morning time, around 7:30 am and found the Park's Gates still locked.
I know that the Memorial had closed for a couple of days because of the storm Memorial had closed for a couple of days because of the storm but now it looked as if they wouldn't be opening the gates until 9:00 when the Visitor's Center opened.

But being the intrepid conquistador paddler, I drove a couple of miles east to the Warner's Bayou boat and ramp and launched from that park's Kayak/canoe landing.