Ahoy,
It has been a busy new year…Fort Desoto was a great way to
start the year…we laughed when we thought about the hard time that I had
climbing to the top just 6 years ago…hard work and dedication have made it so,
I no longer even breathe heavy…
Off to Anclote River…this was a great time…we saw dolphins
and many beautiful birds…this was Walter’s first time out to the inlet – open water
makes him very nervous…the day was overcast but, warm with a nice breeze…
The Weeki Wachee River was loaded with manatee this year…Walter
was having fun with the turtles…the Great Egrets did not seem to mind us
paddling by…baby gator gars’ were everywhere and it was fun to see fish jumping…
February’s start was a trip to Hudson Beach…the dolphins
were putting on a show…we got to test the new camera and equipment…there was so
much wildlife it was almost overwhelming…the park is redoing the crow’s nest…this
is really a great place to paddle
Siesta Key was disappointing and exciting…I went to paddle
and the storm off shore was coming on shore – conditions were horrid for
paddling…the exciting news was we were able to skype with Chris Bilton so, he
was able to walk the beach with us all the way from England…we brought back so
many shells
It was time for a donation drop at Sunrise of Pasco…keeping
the shelter up is not easy…our first drop were things to help maintain it…our
second drop was ½ a dumpster of cardboard to Atonement Church to help with the
children’s group…sometimes helping does not require money, just effort…in the
end one feels blessed
March brought us to the Myakka State Park…even with my fear
of heights (I have late onset vertigo), I was able to walk the tree canopy…we
then went and hung out with the Alligators…on our way back we stopped at
Sarasota National Cemetery…All gave some and some gave all – they should be
respected and remembered…
Amanda Corkum has stepped up to be my second on this year’s
paddle…her first practice was at Anclote…she has much to learn and 30 days to
learn it…her first outing she flipped the yak…both Shamrock’s Avenger and I are
fine…the dolphins came over to giggle at us
Out to Hudson Beach I went with a one-person inflatable…this
was a new kayak that I was given to test…I took it to see how it would handle
Hudson’s rocky bottom…it comes with a rudder and I was really surprised how
easy it was to use…it was light and took up less than ½ my trunk, this would be
great for a person with limited space or transportation…
The Sunshine Paddle is coming up on 4/20/17…we will leave Hudson Beach at
6 am and paddle thru to Anclote River Park…I ask if you cannot join me, please
pledge to me per mile paddled…I keep pledge sheets on me or you can message me
with: your name, phone number, pledge per mile paddled (max is 25-miles), and
address…ALL proceeds are split between Helping Hands Food Bank in Wesley Chapel
and Sunrise of Pasco Abuse Shelter in Dade City…Bad weather will only cause us
to launch later in the day or a day later – it is just how we roll…we will
bring back pics and video…if you are interested please let me know...
Carry On,
Captain D
The Girly Pirate
