Coasting

16/03/2021

Logistical Nightmares!!!! I thought bumping my vehicle along the trail would be helpful, but it has been turning into more of a nuisance.

Thankfully, the Florida Paddling Trails Association maintains contacts for Volunteers and Trail Angels along the way. My trip wouldn't be possible without them!

Trail Angel David Morse was kind enough to pick me up in Cedar Key with my Truck, and I left my kayak in storage at a Marina in Cedar Key.

We drove him back to his home in Sopchoppy, then I spent two nights in Tallahassee.

Afterwards, I drove my FJ down to Bradenton, where Trail Angel Richard Wood was kind enough to store my vehicle, and give me a ride to the Tampa Greyhound Station.

I took the greyhound to Gainesville, an hour outside of Cedar Key, where Trail Angel Pizza Bill (pictured) was kind enough to get me pizza and a ride to Cedar Key!

This final hurdle has made me decide that I will no longer be bumping my vehicle along the trail with me. The amount of time, energy, and kindness of strangers it required to be possible was extraordinary.

15/03/2021

After a night at Bill's Fish Camp & Motel in Suwannee, I work my way towards Cedar Key, where I will be taking some much needed days off.

15/03/2021

Have a look at how rapidly conditions can change out on the Gulf! One day, a lake, the next, raucous ride!

14/03/2021

Tides... Tides make me wish I was in a simple lightweight sea kayak...

14/03/2021

"At least 403 manatees have died in Florida so far in 2021, four times the five-year average up to this point in the year, according to state wildlife officials. That includes 169 dead manatees (42%) in Brevard County".

Scientists say Florida’s most enamored marine mammal is starving to death, News 6 partner Florida Today reports.

14/03/2021

With the weather subsiding (somewhat), I depart Steinhatchee en-route to Horseshoe Beach. I'd be lying if I said the cold conditions didn't bum me out, but I try to get out on the water and make some miles anyway, despite a close call with hypothermia.

13/03/2021

With no further help to be found, I cross the river to Marina, and the owner is kind enough to let me use his tools, and give me a ride to hardware store for a tap and hardware!

Enjoy this timelapse of my DIY repair!!!

12/03/2021

Late in the afternoon just a few miles from the mouth of the Steinhatchee River, the conditions picked up once again. The strong winds aligned with the prevalent waves, now directly at my tail, and tossed my Hobie Tandem Island Kayak around like a toy.

Try as I might to stay on top of the waves, as the crest of the wave behind me would lift up the stern, the bow of my boat would dive into a trough, burying the nose into the water.

In a attempt to correct and reduce the amount of water I was taking on, as soon as I felt my stern lifting up, I quickly turned my rudder to bring the boat to an 45 degree angle to the waves, keeping the nose from submarine-ing

My technique was successful, and I managed to navigate the boat into the mouth of the Steinhatchee River.

The large waves and heavy wind showed their toll, as the rudder handle came apart in my hand!

Unable to steer by rudder, I deployed my paddle and limped into the nearest marina dock.

Arriving at I was dismayed to find that the screw securing the handle to the turning mechanism had sheered off in the receiver.

My plight attracted the attention of fellow Hobie Island aficionado Butch who was on location with .pole for the upcoming fishing tournament at the marina. Butch & Co. attempted to help me with the repair to no avail, but we were able to drill most of the sheared bolt out of the receiver, at the expense of the threads.

10/03/2021

A walk around the small settlement of Spring Warrior revealed some cool "Old-Florida" vibes!

Even more surprising was stepping on a dusty scale I found at the fish camp. Surely, it couldn't be accurate. If it was, I had lost 25lbs since Panama City! Having also neglected bathrooms and mirrors for almost as long, I had to check. And, well, here's the photo to prove it!

So now if anyone wants to lose a quick 25lbs, I'll be offering the kayak and camp diet; It's unique in that you can eat whatever and however much you want. It just requires you to spend 24 hours a day exposed to the elements for three weeks, and travel on a kayak around 16 miles a day!!!!!

09/03/2021

Having arrived at Spring Warrior a day earlier than expected, I now had to rethink my my plans for the upcoming weather front. With the following two days predicted to have extremely high winds and rain, I decided to play it safe and spend two more more nights at Spring Warrior.

I was able to hitch a ride with a local into the town of Perry to resupply, catch up on content, and clean, organize and fix all of my gear, as well as catching up on sleep after 5 very long days!

I decided to splurge and on my last night I opted for one of the available rooms instead of my tent, with my excuse being the rain, but I definitely was drawn in by the idea of a bed and my own bathroom!