Sunday, December 19, 2010

29th State, 2nd paddle: Florida (Dec. 19, 2010)

Cedar Key, West Coast of Florida.  From their website: As you leave the Florida mainland, rich Gulf waters reflecting blue skies beckon you as birds float like petals over the marsh vista. Welcome to our island, a place where time stands still and allows you to enjoy the unique qualities of our coastal environment. Cedar Key is a quiet island community nestled among many tiny keys on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Long admired for its natural beauty and abundant supply of seafood, it is a tranquil village, rich with the almost forgotten history of old Florida.

Gary stopped by on his way from Washington state to see his mother in Florida and we kayaked together, again.  We have paddled together a few times in Washington state, and darned if he didn’t go and get himself a girlfriend.

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Our twin vans… his on the left, mine on the right.

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He built the kayak himself… it’s a pontoon. He paddles sitting like this, or kneeling, or standing up.

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Gary paddling standing on his pontoon kayak.  We paddled across to that white beach and took a break to stretch our legs (although I guess Gary really didn’t need to).

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Photo by Gary

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So what was your first clue that it was cold in Florida? Photos by Gary.

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We parked our twin vans with side doors facing each other and it made a perfect shelter from the wind and cold.  Gary sets up his cooking right on top of his kayak… and has all his gear in a rubbermaid tub.  Real neat.

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Another great paddle with Gary.

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Florida-First Paddle      Florida-Third Paddle

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Who is Swankie?

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Anywhere, USA, Full-Time USA traveler, United States
In 2006, I was shopping for a wheelchair. By 2007, I had new knees, better health and by 2008 a kayak. In Aug 2013, I kayaked my 49th state, Alaska, at the Holgate Glacier and in May 2014, I kayaked Hawaii, my 50th state, to celebrate my 70th Birthday and the finale to the wonderful adventure of Kayaking America? Next up... Solo Hiking the Arizona Trail, 820 miles? Maybe. Still healing from shoulder and trying to decide.

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