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.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

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.







DERP



#FLNPS100PaddleChallenge and #FindYourPark

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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

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

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Thursday, October 6, 2016

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

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