Notes: Colleen was going to pick me up so I gave her my camping gear last night so I was able to paddle a mostly empty boat.
After getting very little sleep the night before I slept in a bit this morning and took a couple hours to get caught up with e-mails and blog posts. After a quick stop at a grocery store for snacks I put in behind my old apartment where I last took out on the route several days ago. It felt strange to turn and paddle away from what was my destination for most of the trip so far, however knowing that every stroke I take now propels me closer to home is a great feeling.
Looking back at my old place in Dania.
Today was beautiful South Florida kind of day I dreamed of as I paddled down the icy Mississippi last December. It was very warm with broken rain clouds dropping occasional drizzle, just enough to keep the temperature comfortable. It was calm enough to paddle on the outside today but having paddled the open ocean along this section of coast many times before (when I lived down there) I opted to run the Intracoastal north to see what there is to be seen. I got lucky and the tide flows in and out of the inlets worked in my favor and I had a slight current helping me along the way for most of the day.
The Intracoastal in this area is lined on both sides with high-rise condos, hotels, or multi million dollar mansions, of course with equally pricy yachts parked out back. There is never a shortage of something to look at on shore or in the water. Despite being in the center of a huge city I saw four manatee today.
At the end of the day I was met at a park just south of the Boca inlet by my friend Colleen Guido (from Blue Moon Outdoor Center)and her daughter Megan (the take out was somewhat close to Megan‘s school). While Megan signed my boat we loaded my stuff in Colleen's truck and then we drove home to their place west of Palm Beach where I met Megan‘s pony named Popeye and rabbit named Browny. Tomorrow (Wednesday) Colleen’s husband Fred is going to drop me off on his way to work and I’ll paddle north to the actual Palm Beach area where Colleen is going to pick me up once again. This trip wouldn’t be the same without the help of great friends like those two.
What a great pic from Dania.
We hope to see you when you get further north. Marti Jo stayed with us this past weekend. She said you looked good when she saw you in St. Pete. Glad you had good weather down in the Del Boca Vista area.
Looking foward to our Silver River Paddle and Juniper Springs too this coming Sun 14th and Mon 15th! See you Saturday afternoon at the Cocoa Beach Kayaking Center. Weather should be stellar!
Bad storms coming tomorrow and Friday. Be careful and safe.