Every Day I See My Dream

Ahoy,

It has been such a long week and I am quite happy…let me fill you in…Monday and Tuesday I spent reading boaters safety and doing Political Science homework for school…a friend told me he had gotten laid off…I asked him to paddle with me on Wednesday…he said something about looking for work and I said he could do that when we got back…yes, I can be a bad influence…guess that’s what makes me the Girly Pirate…

So on Wednesday, I took Greg to Weeki Wachee…I am so used to Janis being on the front of my boat- it was a little strange to have a man there…Greg is from New York and a new member to the Florida Transplant Club…Paddling Adventures was ready for us…I am glad he was with me and he did well his first time out…the river current was strong and wanted to slam us off the bank, but I held us steady- this is where knowing strokes means the difference between a good paddle and a bad day…he took pics and video…give him credit- after 6-12 months in the water our camera equipment is no longer easy to use…lol…when I was downloading, I noted the difference at seeing things through his eyes in the pictures…please note that this is an intermediate paddle area- there were beginners that were getting slammed into trees and on the banks of the river due to the current, not a good or a fun way to learn…we had a great day on the river and got to see a lot of wildlife...

Thursday, I got a box donation from Paul and Cathy Cooper…it held a sleeping bag, tent and paddle float…I had been speaking to them about my trek through the outerbanks of NC and they felt this would keep me warm and safe…you see, at a few points I will be where the ground crew cannot reach me…also, the paddle float will aid in quicker reentry as many predators hang out off the coast…I am blessed to have so many who care for me…Paul even took me out to get a hitch for Wilma to be able to pull Betty:)

I was on cloud nine Friday as it was time for me to pick Betty up and bring her home…Wilma and I got there 2 hours early…ha ha ha…Dale had to meet me at the Waffle House…she pulled home easy and I had no problems…Wilma and Betty seem to belong together as a team…when we got home, I had Dale read the Instructions while I opened her up (she is a 1987 Colman Laramie Pop Up)…the inside is ugly brown-this needs to change…she is in good shape, she just needs to be Girlyfied…while I makeover Betty, Harold from Hals Auto Service has started working on Wilma…Wilma needs new rear shocks…I have also contacted Pete as her wire harness seems to need help…

Saturday brought me out and around town looking for fabric…I went to 5 different stores before I found what I wanted…Jo-Ann Fabrics saved me…they even had Girly Pirate fabric- I am totally stoked…I came home and called mom and Marilyn…Betty’s Makeover has begun…that afternoon came a heavy rain and high wind storm…I am happy to report NO leaks, though we do need to thread new rope through hereyes on the bottom band to keep her tent stable…

I have taken time to speak to several people about this trip and the reason for it…at 46, I never pictured becoming Captain of my own boat or making such a trip…so many right now feel powerless, it is causing an increase in violence…the worst part is the increase is happening in homes- not as much in public…think about that…here in Pasco County, Florida our Sheriff is our first line of defense and I am thankful for him…I have never seen one officer act other than professionally and fairly…if you need help, call Sunrise…e-mail them or write a letter…get help…why do I have faith in them…I am impressed with how they handle the situation and their viewpoints…you will never be the same, but life can go on and be amazing…the first step is to ask for help, the next step is to accept it

Please remember this trip runs on donations…I am thankful for every item and penny…for all who are pitching in to help have my deep appreciation…it is wonderful energy to be thus blessed

Avast Me Hardy,

 Captain D

Thankful for the Paddle

Good Day Crew,

I have been working at a high production rate this week…the holiday was fast approaching and I needed some down time…I had to finish my class in cellular Detox (got a high B- proud of this as it was not an easy class), cleaning the garden, I got my medical patients ready for their holiday, I am also writing articles of Kayaking.org, taking care of family holiday plans and work on the paddle…can you say busy?????

 I am working on an instructional letter for site usage…this is so The Sunshine Paddle website can be used to the best advantage…thank you for so many updates on how your classrooms are using the site…thank you for responding from so many countries…we do love the snail mail too…what a great way to teach youngsters that e-mail is not proper for everything and how to write a letter…I do respond to ALL snail-mail…it is good to hear how grandparents and home school parents are getting a lot from the site;)

Cleaning the garden helped to bring nature into focus…since I have been on the paddle, my garden had been neglected…until that point I had been quite vigilant so a little neglect did not hurt….the clean up however is important (much like that of the gulf oil spill), when the area is clean- the plants breathe better….when the plants breather better- they clean more toxins from the air, hence I breathe better…after all I have seen of our Florida gulf coast, we are in a recovery stage…this can be seen from the amount of dead loss and missing fish (fish that are known to be in an area that have-hopefully- momentarily disappeared)…the mullet and lady fish seem to be the cockroaches of the gulf…they are everywhere and plentiful….also they keep jumping in my boat…lol

The patients love what I am trying to do and often offer me good information…it is the positive energy they give me that shoves me into the cold water to practice…we talk about menus and supplements…I am a firm believer in being an individual…as my menu is set for that which is happening in my life…I sit and listen and adjust the menu and supplements to that person…it has kept them excelling with me…it does tend to keep all of us healthy and when we do get sick we have an easier time of recovery- most of the time with minimal or no use of prescriptions…

I have now started a series of articles for Kayaking.org…due to the unusual way this paddle has come about; they asked if I could share the story…with my usual open style I accepted…as soon as I find out when they will start running, I will post the link:)

Most of my family was out of the area for Thanksgiving…my husband and I took my parents to the Golden Coral in Zephyrhills…the service was great and restaurant was very clean…the food was amazingly YUMMY…I was allowed to take a quick video at the salad bar (which is OMG HUGE)…no shopping or clean up and you can buy left-overs by the pound…great time

I have spoken to many about the site…added updates to all sites…then early yesterday I had to go to see the computer doctor in Holiday…his wife spoke to me of a county park…Anclote River Park –this is a county park, not to be confused with the state park ‘Anclote Island’…

 

Anclote is a small park, but packed with stuff to do…kids playground, swim area, boat launch, fishing area, etc…my husband saw dolphins near shore…they do have a $2 per car usage fee- BIG BANG for your buck here…I launched from the beach and paddled all around the small mangrove islands in the channel…I need a boat mounted camera…I saw so much wildlife above and below the water…I saw several types of fish (even saw one rubbing the dead skin on the coquina) and birds seem to be all shapes, sizes and colors…I saw many kayakers here…fisherman and families on an outing day- quiet and shallow area with clear water, great beginners space...it does not suprise me that pirates loved this area....it was really good fun

 

Side note…the more I paddle the more I note 3 pet peeves…’No Wake’ means you need to go slow- to protect people, animals and yourself…if you have a motor, please makes sure it is well kept- if a dolphin does not have a right to pour motor oil in your home, do not do it to his…most situations can and should be handled with a cool head for the best chance at a good outcome

The Blue Horizon should be home from the kayak doctors at Economy Tackle next week…I plan to pick her up on Saturday (Sunday if weather is bad)…if you want to paddle Turtle Creek Park on Siesta Key in Sarasota, call me (813)907-6279…it is a great beginners paddle and has lots of wild life;)…I plan to be there most of the day...also note there is a campground there...

May QueenAnne’s Revenge be below your hull and your sails above,

Captain Rooney