26 days until launch

Ahoy Mate,

26 days until launch…everything that can go wrong is…lol…

Why do I laugh?

It is not problems that make or break you, nor do they tell who you are as a person…it is how you approach the handling of them…never let them take your ability to laugh, use it and the worst situation becomes manageable

My emotions are like a perfect storm…I am excited- this trip will be epic (good or bad)…I am sad to leave my family and friends- I will miss them…I will be overjoyed to see my granddaughter (Lindsey, 8) and my niece (Abigail, under a year)- it will be my first time to hold either one…I will get to meet my new son in-law for the first time (Matt)…worried over the folks and Walter- I am leaving Dale behind to care for them, but he is not me…stressed about doing school while on the paddle- at least it will be subjects I am familiar with…I could go on, but you get the picture…

I passed my boater requirement test with an 97%...I have posted all over the internet in hopes of finding other paddlers to paddle their area with me…though I do not mind the solitude of being solo, it is nice to meet new friends:)…the tech people in my life have been helping me learn all the new gizmos…all this stuff is not new to most, but I have not owned a cell phone for 3 years- I did not even know how to text…lol…Thank You Marilyn for being so patient- her husband Steve is sweet and puts up with my many phone calls…the vehicles’ need tires…I found the truck tires- still looking for a topper, we can use tarp but a topper would be nice…still working on the camper- could use an extra rim, 10 inch…a BIG Thank you to Harold and Walter for getting the lights done on Wilma and Betty…Dennis has been great help with my SPOT tracker…Mary Rowell of Maine donated a printer with extra ink- how very cool…I have been practicing at Anclote and Hudson as they are both close and there is much to be done…packing, packing and repacking- in my anal heart I know this will happen a few more times…do you know how much stuff we need or how much room it takes???

I have called every state, checked back in with everyone we had already…some places went under so we have had to adjust the route and I am sure as we go along we will need to adjust it again…fingers crossed it will not be by much…we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best…a trip like this takes planning, training and communication…it makes my hear sing to see how many people are pitching in to help…

This whole trip is run on donation…most of our equipment is old and used, to me this is a beautiful thing…these items may not be worth much money, but they are gold to us and have been given new life…our safety equipment is brand new and works well…this was done with Monetary Contributions from- Matt Le Hann, Mary Irving- Fantucchio, Tim O’Hara, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cooper…we are now working on money for gas and food…all donations help…gift cards, quarters, dimes- it all helps…I am also looking for Velcro- please check your draws and cupboards’…

We appreciate your support in this endeavor:)

Thank you,

Captain D

The Count Down has Begun

Mates! Gather Round!

At the moment I look at the calendar and find we have 59 Days until launch…there is much work to be done before we get underway…

I will be see massage patients until the 10^th of may…due to a heavy practice schedule all appointments must be confirmed 24 hours in advance (813)907-6279…I have called all the clients and let them know I will be down from 5/10- 8/15/12…I have the best patients- they are full of encouragement…I am blessed

All issues with American Boudica Publishing will be handled by Chris Bilton of Rotherham until 8/20/12…Chris is also working with me on the Paddle project and I am blessed with the support of him and his wife Rose…for that matter the entire Bilton family:)

I will continue classes while on the paddle…this will be a little stressful, but I am ornery and know I can handle it…I am sure since I have made it clear to the school, that the teacher is aware of the unusual circumstance and willing to work with me…my school is a very awesome place

Those in the circle of Boudica can stop by to see me if you need me, but services will not be held until Mabon…Thank you for the good energy…I feel the love, support and worry…I will be home before you know it

It is almost here…can you feel it

A week ago I took Janis to Weeki Wachee…the manager was kind of on the rude side of life…Janis and I ignored his lack of manners…we got into the yak and paddled…she was so tickled…it is a beautiful river…I am sad that I will not see it for a while

Our next stop was Hudson Beach…what a freakin great paddle…Yum Yum had been missing the water…we paddled out until a boater stopped me and asked if I knew I was 10 miles out…needless to say I laughed and paddled back to shore…it just went so fast and so easy

Saturday of last week was play practice…it went much faster than I thought it would…I need to pick up Wilma’s parts from Jessie…I also need to get a spare tire for both Wilma and Betty…the website is up to date and I have started marketing the trip...so much to be done and no time to do it:)

All the parts are bought, but I need help with gas and food…please- even if it is only a quarter…Please donate…you can do so through any Sun Trust Bank in the country or through the mail or through PayPal…if you do not think I will make it call Trish or Lil at the shelter and pledge a penny a mile (352)521- 3358 - if I do make it you will only owe $13.50…if you believe in what I am going to accomplish- help me…donate…Maybe you can’t do this trip- Aye, but I can…I will use this paddle to stand up for battered and abused women…May 15 will be here soon…what will you be doing???

Captain D

Too Far Gone

I have been asked ‘what if’ concerning The Sunshine Paddle…we are just under the 66 day point…this trip is about to happen… I have the bulk of the stuff we need bought…

I have been training and studying for this for more than a year…the help from so many souls made my job easier…I have always felt blessed…as you have watched on the Website it has not always been as easy, but with such a good cause as Sunrise of Pasco- it has always been worth it…the side effect is educating parents and children…how can that ever be a bad thing...

I foresee an adventure…one hopes it to be a happy one…13 states, 39 stops in 39 days (the day count depends on weather) via kayak…I am not running for office…It is my hope to bring attention to the amount of women disappearing or hurt or dead and how high those numbers are climbing…not to mention what is happening in front of children…we need to stop the violence…Many people have said they want things to change…so please help me change them

I need help……if you have family or friends along our route, please ask them to check us out if they have time…any help at this point would be great…I am trying to put together food and fuel…this is not easy as prices keep climbing…we are grateful for every penny…if you can manage to help I would be thankful…if you cannot help, maybe you know someone who can and could talk to them for me

At this moment you can mail us a check or money order made out to Sunshine Paddle…you can also donate through PayPal on the Sunshinepaddle.com…as of Tuesday afternoon you will be able to go to any Sun Trust Bank and donate directly to the Sunshine Paddle…all donations are tax deductable…

We appreciate your support in this endeavor:)

Thank you,

Captain D

Less than 3 months to go….

Good Tidings Mates,

We are now under the 3 month point until the launch…much has to be prepared…fixing Wilma, supplies, gas, food, etc…it all runs on donations and we really need help to make this happen…every donation helps

Friday (02/17/12) found me at Withlacoochee River Park for The Primitive ArtFestival…walking among history was really fun…from Tee Pees to Old Cracker Houses…classes on how to make an arrow from stone…it amazed that I did not see a parking lot full of school buses…this would have been a cheap fieldtrip…with big impact on educational value…I walked down by the river and thought about how strong the settlers of this area had to be when I saw a gator splash in the water…the park ranger stopped to tell me of plans they had to make the park better…I thought it to be clean, good layout and well kept

Saturday (02/18/12) found me on the way to Siesta Key…Lance had asked Walt and I to come down…I felt it a safe first paddle since Walt’s surgery…we rented the kayak at Siesta Key Bike and Kayak…we did not paddle for too long as I did not want him to be too tired…the birds seemed to have care for Walt and came close in to make sure he was okay…it was quite funny to watch…The brown pelicans swim almost as much as they fly…they are like having a team of comedians hanging out…there seemed to be one every place we looked that day

Sunday (02/ 19/12)-Tuesday was time to do school work and treat clients…Janis reminded me that I need to be able to swim distance in case something happens…it has been a while since I was just made to swim…we hunted through the parks in Pasco…Janis offered to help me with a press release…she will also be releasing it to all news and media stations…if you live on the east coast, please e-mail me your local news and weather stations…this would be very helpful

Wednesday (02/22/12) Janis and I found New Port Richey Aquatics Center…this is a well kept secret…it is a well kept very clean facility…it has a weightroom, 2 gyms, tennis courts…kiddie pool, water slide, dive boards and heated lap pool…I could hardly believe the entrance fee for an adult was only $7 for the day…the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and polite…a young man was teaching his daughter to swim…Janis and I had to lend ourselves to help him…lol…being a good dad is so important to a young girl, that I always stop to pat one on the back…

As we grow closer to launch date my nerves are flying…I do not know if I could put in order all of the emotions I am feeling…I will be away from my family, friends and pets to accomplish my goal…they are all important, but so is my goal…

On Friday (02/24/12) I had to take my final exam in Political Science…I did well and finished the class with an A…my new class is dietary influence on disease…the phone rang and a friend recommended going to the ‘Little Everglades Combined Driving Event’ on Saturday…another friend mentioned the ‘Zephyrhills Cruise In’ in downtown Zephyrhills…I call Trish to tell her of the happenings and I got wrangled into a play…it is called the ‘Vagina Monologues’…when will I get to the water…the Horizon is calling me to the water

Saturday (02/25/12) for me at a dead run…first was reading for the play…this did not bother me and was really kind of fun…from there I was off to the Little Everglades Ranch…though they hold a steeple chase every year, this was my first time to attend an event there…It was very beautiful…well set up and had so much going on…it was well organized and offered a lot of entertainment for those of every age…

Later Saturday night, Walt took me to the ‘Zephyrhills Cruise In’…so many vintage and race cars…impressive engines sparkling everywhere…music filled the air of Main St and you were transported to a Hollywood movie set…what a great time

Monday (02/27/12) I went to International Auto Parts in Spring Hill…I brought Wilma over for Jessie to check out…he will be going to the junk yard in the next week or so to look for parts for her…

Tuesday (02/28/12), Walter took me to Weeki Wachee…this was his first paddle of the river...Curt at Paddling Adventures was ready for us…I tried to explain to him about the current and teach him to use the paddle as a rudder…the signs of spring were everywhere and there was a different group of wildlife…made for an interesting day

Wednesday, I spent the day processing pictures and upgrading the site…I spoke to several people about the paddle…this is all being done by donation and I am trying to do my best to make it happen

Today was a fun day at the Florida Estates Winery on SR 52…Walter was the designated driver and mom went with me to a wine tasting…I did not know we would have such flavorful wine…aye, I liked the orange and strawberry port the best…mom had a good time

Saturday, I have play practice and will be going down to Siesta Key after…if you want to join me, let me know…a busy Girly Pirate be I…time to hoist the anchor

Your Captain Dee

First Paddle of 2012

 Ahoy,

The last run of all the west coast training areas- Sarasota, Siesta Key, Crystal River, Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island, Anclote River- has now begun…I will soon start Atlantic Training next month…

It has been holidays and bad weather…finally a break…on Saturday, the last client left and I called Scotty at Siesta Key Bike and Kayak…he said the weather was beautiful and to come down…I needed workout time…I jumped in the pimp mobile and was off to Siesta Key…I love this area and cannot wait until my journey is over to return (maybe I can sneak in one more visit when no one’s looking)…We have made some wonderful friends here:)

On the drive there, I stopped and took time to think of the area I was going into and how beautiful it is…exit 205 on I75 South…make a right off the exit ramp and your life is soon to get better…it has been such a great place to train…people have been very friendly and supportive…it is clean and VERY GREEN (reduce, reuse, recycle- should be the county motto)…

I arrived at Siesta Key Bike and Kayak shop to find Lance loading my rental kayak on the truck…Scotty was donating the rental to me and told me to have fun…the entire staff of Siesta Key Bike and Kayak has been supportive of my goals…at Turtle Beach I ran across some lovely young ladies from Minnesota…we spoke of the paddle and the reason for it…Lance took our pictures.

Paddling out alone is different….you become more aware of every movement of the air, water and animals…I saw many people coming off the water and thought it was because of low tide…I look at the change of tide as a challenge…I paddled around the Neville Wildlife Reserve, 3 full times and then slowed to take video and pics….my average is up to about 5.4 MPH…I am happy with that and my endurance has been steadily building…I was sad not to have the Blue Horizon with me, but I really needed stroke practice…getting in and out of small/shallow areas, paddling forward/backward/sideways…with no rudder, it was all about the core workout…I saw a nest that an osprey was building…

Pelicans (brown and white) seemed to be everywhere…blue herons and egrets were darting about…I could touch the bottom and found a small empty queen conch shell…I saw a few mullet jumping up by mullet shoals…I know there are no longer sharks at the old shark lab, but my senses are always on high alert when I paddle that area…as I came back up the channel, I saw Lance…timing was everything…this Girly Pirate was happy…what a beautiful afternoon

On my way home, I started going over all the paddle information in my head…it was then I stopped to think about how blessed I am…many people have donated time, boating equipment, knowledge and much more helping put this together…it amazes me how many people have been inspired to volunteer help in their own areas…if you want the right to complain about something, first you must try to make things better…by the end of this month I should have all landing points confirmed- I will be posting meet ups that can happen on meetup.com…I do have a few areas where I will need help from local boaters…we have entered the home stretch people…

I spoke to the nice woman who owns Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City…I asked her politely if she had time to help and explained to her I would need a flag for the road crew to hold on shore so I know where to land…it is a lot to ask of anyone, but she rose to the challenge…I am excited to see what she comes up with:)

It was nice to have a few sweets for the holidays, but I am now back on training menu…I am also starting to stock up food for the trip…I must encourage all parents to send your children to scouts, much of the preparation work for this trip was learned while in scouts…they are lessons that have served me well throughout life…how many knots can you tie? Well I must shove off…

Your Favorite Girly Pirate,

Captain D

Clear You’re Scupper Holes Get Ready to Haul Anchor

Welcome aboard,

Maps and charts abound….where is the quartermaster when you need him?

I will be in Sarasota next weekend…I hope to spend all day Saturday around both sides of Turtle Beach…it will be my last time to see my friends there until after my return from the journey as I will start training in the Atlantic in February…it has been a great place to train…I have been given instruction and support from everyone in the area…a lucky girly pirate am I…it has been a blessing

We are working out the details for our first Atlantic launch…I am currently trying to obtain permission to use the beach at Canaveral National Seashore…you may wonder why I chose this spot…this will be our first visit to a National Park…it is also across from our county as the flamingo flies…lol…I am excited and as we finalize details I will keep you posted…I have heard much about the east coast of Florida and I guess I am about to see what it’s like:)

Many hours of prep work go into each paddle along with…along with my own small business and being a full time student, it takes up almost every spare moment I have to put this together…I have to call ahead to make sure we can be accommodated or if they need to charge us, put together maps, pack all we might need (most places are well over an hour from home/ the Atlantic is 4 hours away)- this is just for the individual paddles…I have a plastic storage bag with all paperwork, business cards and maps from each area as I like to continue business with those who have been so supportive what I am trying to accomplish…it also help us keep things straight for the website and all adjoining media…we believe in our goal and that pushes us forward...I could not do any of this alone

If something is worth doing it is worth doing your best…if it takes hours of study, time to train and hard work you should feel you goal is worth it…accept that nothing will end up perfect and enjoy what does happen...here I go, channeling my inner Capt. Phil again...

I am doing all of this through Donations…every penny helps…you can donate at PayPal or mail it in (information listed below)…as you put up your new stuff from the holiday, please remember to send us any camping or boating equipment you may be replacing and no longer need…we are trying to be as green as possible (reduce, reuse, recycle)…as I said earlier, we are still looking for some type of camper…

30131 Clearview Dr

Wesley Chapel, FL 33545

(813)907-6279

Dee@Sunshinepaddle.com

Girly Pirates hate office work, but it is so cold most of my crew has fallen ill…I put a blanket over The Lady Blue Horizon and another over Yum Yum…I do not need them sick before the temperature goes back to normal Saturday…

May the wind fill your Sails and the sun be warm on your back,

Captain D

Ahoy Matey

Welcome Aboard,

            It has been a busy few days for the Girlie Pirate…Friday seemed to take forever…I had a hard time sleeping, I was so excited…It was Saturday and time to head for Sarasota…YEA!!!!!!

            A happy Girly Pirate I was to find George had taken her to the beach for me when I got to Economy Tackle…I paid young Lee and off to Siesta Key we went…poor Walter had to put up with the VERY excited Girly Pirate

            As we drove down the street I could see her on the rack…I swear she was calling to me…she wanted to show me all her new goodies…she wanted to be in the gulf and not the bay…quickly I untied her and Walter helped me carry her over the dune…I could feel her excitement at the waves…the big blue girl likes big blue water…

After a few minor adjustments, we were off…the improvements had shifted her center of gravity- in a good way…it did take some time getting used to and I think we were both nervous…I was happy to have the Lady Blue Horizon home and she was happy to be here…I faced moderate chop and I was okay…she was making me a better sailor and a better person...the school of dolphins were happy to swim beside us:)

            On my way off Siesta Key we stopped at the Orange Octopus…Kim makes ice cream as good as mine with the same fresh ingredients…I had the espresso chip in a cup and Walter had the mint chip in a waffle cone…YUM

I found a great place to shop in Sarasota...I even got a girlie pirate Tshirt...prices were great and the staff was helpful...had way to many cute swim suits...it is called 'Splish Splash'...I can hardly wait to go back

            On the ride home, Walter was telling me about the Metal Detector Book he was reading…I was so tired and happy; the miles seemed to race by…it did my heart good to see my big girl back in her rack (I think even Yum Yum had missed her) and I think she was happy to be home

            Sunday and Monday brought patients for me to work on, but I could feel the pull of the ocean to my soul…I made some changes and plans started to form for Tuesday…I would go over to AncloteRiver Park…Cooper (my 80yr old father) was going with me…he had never been to the area and never been when I went kayaking…I was in for an interesting day

            Tuesday came to find not such great weather on the water…I will not find everyday good weather on my trip, so I was going…We got there at high tide…the weather was about 58f air and 65f water, cloudy and windy, coming up on high tide…I paddled for the protection of the mangrove islands…even they were little comfort…they day turned sunny and warmed to 70f air, but the wind grew stronger…the cross current in the channel seemed to be hard for even the dolphins to maneuver…when my arms started to hurt I came in…just as I went to get out, a wave popped the aft end of the boat and I got flipped into the water…my dad would not let put on dry clothes until we had the Blue Horizon tied down…lol…what was even funnier is he had this psyko squirrel following him the whole time we were there and if I did not know better I would say he was trying communicate with him….hmmm

            On the way back, Dad had me pull into a stables he had once been to in the 1950s…I pulled in and the very kind woman made time for dad, she had been there 9 years…her name is Joy Lambert…she trains horses and people in Jumping and Hunting…the Windward Farms stables are beautiful…the horses are well taken care of…we ran into beautiful wildlife as we walked the property...a lovley stop

            This morning I was a sore Girly Pirate…going through the mail I found a lucky charm sent from a facebook friend and cowboy in Ireland…it will be placed on my life vest the morning I leave for my trip…as you know this trip is run on donations and any and every thing is helpful

May the wind be at your back;)

Captain D

Yo, Ho, Ho and a Bottle of Life Water

Good Morning My Crew,

It is the holiday season…being a good Captain, I made sure voices would lift in song and children have presents under the tree…not because I am rich, but because it’s the right thing to do…

This Girlie Pirate was given a blessing for hard work this year early in the week…a special day in Crystal River with the Manatees…I was happy to get the invitation from Crystal RiverKayak…loved the new changing rooms…the water at the 3 Sister Spring was so warm, blue and clear…then out came the beautiful creatures to play with us…Janis and I felt like the most special women on earth…wicked awesome…we got off the water just as the rain started…what a great day!!!!

The SunshinePaddle YouTube has grown…our ‘favorite’ file on that site has music from most every venue and many great educational videos…we have also loaded at least one video for every area we have gone into since that part of The Sunshine Paddle YouTube sites inception…learning to add an invisible third person is not as easy as it sounds…we have really learned a lot about shooting video…anyplace on the website that contains a YouTube box is a clickable link to a video;)

The menu during the holiday has not been easy to maintain…many contraband goodies have been smuggled in…I have only tasted a few treats…my body is in a state of health that limit what I can eat, so when I do eat, it has to carry heavy nutrient…not easy…my system is so clean at the moment that any junk food tends to send me running for the bathroom- not in a good way…I can hardly wait to eat regular food again…I will be cooking the holiday meal this year…Yummers

I got a message from a person who watches the Photobucket…I only crop pics, NO retouching allowed…what you see in a pic is what was there when I was…Florida has a vast amount to offer other than the many Theme Parks and I wanted to be able to show it properly…I have been blessed with a great photo club on facebook…they have helped me immensely at improving my skills and answering my questions…I have also been reading several books on the issue…we have been using many different cameras, hence learning how each works and what among each is universal…this has been kind of fun

I went on a solo trip this week to Anclote River Park…this is a Pasco County Park…makes me proud to be from Pasco County…the people who work here work very hard to maintain this area…it is VERY clean and well kept…I was there at low tide this time…it was still an easy launch…the soil/sand looked quite healthy and active…it was cloudy and cold (65f) when I launched, so I pretty much had the water to myself…I paddled all over the area in Yum Yum and had fun…there were so many animals to see…as the weather cleared some other paddlers came up in some very neat boats…the belong to a racing club…one had a really sweet Epic Kayak…I got home, got Yum Yum washed off and put up…I was a tired Girly Pirate and feeling quite accomplished…

After speaking with George at Economy Tackle, I knew the Blue Horizon was in trouble…he had spoke about calling the manufacturer…I called Perception (they own the Dagger Brand) and a nice young woman listened to my problem…she was very helpful and hope was restored…George was right all along, this gave him permission from the manufacturer to alter the bulkhead and now she was to be fixed…late yesterday afternoon, George called to say she was ready for pick up…I have patients today so, I am going Saturday and I am so psyked for this…I can hear her calling me…The Lady Blue Horizon is ready to get in the water and I am so ready to take her…I think I will launch from the gulf side of Turtle Beach…maybe Gayle at SiestaKey Bungalows will have room for me and I can stay on the water all day…hmmm…I will keep you posted…

Donations of a YakPad from Florida and Binoculars from Ohio get a big thank you…it is really a green trip as everything is a donation…many people are putting in effort to bring this even together….I would like to thank them for the time and effort…thank you to those who donate by mail, paypal or the website…every contribution helps make this a reality…I am ever so appreciative…

I would like to close with a great thought- We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. A quote from John F. Kennedy:)

The Girly Pirate,

Captian D