Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Jumping into the New Year




 

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

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