Don Pedro Island and other things

Our next paddle was at Don Pedro Island SP. We put in at the land base which had about a 150 yd portage. We used a set of wheel's that were at the park and used our dolly for the last kayak.


It was a fairly short paddle to the island and we were directed where to put in by a tour operator. They have a kayak/canoe rack on shore.



There were not many folks on the beach since it is only reachable by private craft or a local ferry operator. We went to the beach and took a long walk looking for shells and sharks teeth. We found lots of both. We returned to the pavilion and had lunch and then went for another walk on the beach.



I just couldn't take it anymore. So into the chilly Gulf I went. It was a long way out to get to waist deep. I took a couple of strokes and walked back to shore to continue our walk looking for shells and teeth.



We took the long way back to the land base and realized that our paddle from a few days ago at Placida. More boats were on the ICW on the return trip.

There is a lot of thin water in these parts. Here I decide to just get out and pull the kayak to something a few inches deeper so I could paddle.


Rich and I double carried out kayak's back to the trucks and talked with another yaker for a while. See these pictures and more here.

Saturday we went to the Crowley museum and nature center for their festival and met up with some of the park dulcimer players there. Interesting place.



More here.

A paddling we be go'en

Other than dinner out for New Years, grocery shopping, laundry we have been doing a lot of paddling with Rich, Linda and friends.

After Lido we went to Gasparilla Island on the 28th and put in at the boat launch at Placida. Not bad but very busy. See the pictures here. We did see several dolphins, at least 4 eagles, Osprey and other birds. One of the other neat things was this starfish that Rich saw and I took a picture of with the water proof camera.

Star fish taken with Hero underwater camera

Star fish, we put it back.

After our paddle we went to the park to look at the Lighthouse and do a little shelling.


Our next outing was to meet Josh, Angie's husband, for lunch at the Coffee Carousel in downtown Sarasota. Following lunch we went to St. Armonds and walked around the circle and looked in shops. Then Rich drove us on several errands. We had a fun day with them.

New Years was a prime rib dinner Boon Docks, the in park restaurant. We had planed to go to the pool side bar for the evening music and New Years celebration but since that didn't start until 2100 we went back to the camper and just petered out. Part of the excitement was to watch the 2 dvd's on the new Nikon D60 camera we purchased for Christmas.

We had planed a New Years Day paddle but it was quite windy so we decided to postpone. Suzette and I decided to make it a beach day and went to Turtle Beach. We took the new camera and I took hundreds of pictures while Suzette hunted for shells. Since the picture files are 2.5 meg I only uploaded a few to Picasa Web and put a couple here.

A Great Blue Heron takes flight.

Fun in the Florida Sun and surf.

Our next paddle day was Jan 3 and since it was to be just the 2 of us we decided to return to Turtle Beach and paddle across the bay to see if we could find the entrance to the rivers on the east shore. We had just made it to the ICW when my cell rang. I fumbled it our of the dry bag but there was no message. A check of the missed revealed that Linda had called. I returned her call and she said she and Josh and Angie were coming to Turtle Beach and would be there about noon. Suzette and I decided we would just circle the preserve and that should put us in place to meet them near Midnight Pass. During our paddle we saw several rowing shells, dolphins, and a rookerey. We stoped at the pass for lunch and a look at the Gulf side. We decided to paddle back toward the launch site. Just as we were to round the corner there they were. So back to the beach, Midnight Pass, we went. We spent some time on the beach and then paddled on down the ICW for some distance.
See the pictures here.

We decided the next play day would be Sunday the 4th and that we would meet at Blackburn park. Suzette and I arrived about 45 minutes early so we checked out the area. This launch site is also used for the Sarasota Rowing Club and there were quite a number of folks out. All were returning from their mornings outing. We figured they wanted to be off the water before the zoonies arrived with their power boats. Some stink potters seem to think that the more wake the better a paddler will like it.

Linda arrived as we were getting our kayaks to the water. Rich wasn't feeling well so he didn't make it. We headed down the ICW looking for the creek that would take us to Oscar Scherer State Park. We found South Creek and proceeded on up. We were on a flood so it was easy going and we made it all the way to the little rock dam in the park near where we were camped last year. We met a few other kayakers and conoeres but didn't see much wild life. On the return trip we stoped at the launch area near the park's contact station and had lunch. Then it was back to the ICW and the mangrove islands along the western shore. Not much to rave about but we had a good paddle and spent hours on the water. What could be better than "...simply messing about in boats."




See all the pictures here.

Monday was stained glass class for Suzette so no paddling.

Tuesday was our next play day and we decided to return to Stump Pass SP since we liked the area and there was a chance we could make another paddle into the Gulf. What a day. We saw a lot of dolphins and had to deal with the wind and current but we had a good outing. We found a number of shark teeth. Rich and I paddled about a 1/3 mile out into the Gulf before we turned and rode the current back in.







All the pictures from our Stump Pass outing are here.

Lido Key 2008

Christmas day we had decided on paddling the mangrove tunnels at Lido Key. We had agreed to meet at 10:30 but as usual Suzette and I were very early. We went to the parking lot at the end of the key and walked the beach looking for shells and just enjoying the weather.

We drove to the launch area, 4 on the map in the link above. There were at least 2 outfitters there getting ready to unload their kayaks. Must have been 30 kayaks between the 2 trailers. There were already about 15 kayaks on the ground.

Outfitter kayaks lined up and waiting

We found out that the tide was to low to kayak through the tunnels and the outfitters gave us several of options. We thought of going to another location but ditched that and figured if we paddled around for about an hour thing's would be right for the tunnels.

We launched, Josh, Angie, Joyce, Rich, Linda, Suzette and I, and headed across the bay to Bird Key. We paddled around the canals for a while and headed back to the tidal flat to do a little shell hunting and have lunch.

The gang paddling a canal on Bird Key

On the tidal flat for lunch

This Great Blue Heron joined us for lunch. He didn't seem the least bit concerned we were there.

As we were eating lunch it became obvious that the tide had risen significantly so we headed to the mangrove tunnels. It was fantastic. I will let the pictures that follow speak for themselves.

Hooded Night Heron

Rosate Spoonbill and Brown Pellican

Rich and Linda in the mangrove tunnels.

Merry Christmas

Rich and Linda came to the park to pick us up to go to Christmas dinner with them and their family. We had a short visit at the camper and exchanged gifts. As we were leaving the park to go to Josh and Angie's, their daughter and son in law's place, we gave them a driving tour of the park.

We got to Angie and Josh's and Scotty, their son, arrived with his girl friend and her mother. We had a very nice visit and good eats. The fudge Suzette made was a hit as was her green "stuff".

We also made plans to go paddling on Boxing day.

The weather is here ...

Is it really Christmas? It is currently 71 here at Sun-N-Fun in Sarasota FL and was up to 84 today. We watch the weather and are both glad and sad we are here. If we were in Portland OR with our son Mike and his wife we would be helping shovel snow. If we were in Vermont with our son James it looks like it would be just plain miserable. Rain on snow. In Virginia I don't think we would get in a motorcycle ride.

Yesterday we had called our friend Susie in Amissville and had a nice long phone visit. She told us about a deal they had found on a Nikon D60 Digital SLR. Since that is a camera we had seen advertised and looked at some months ago we decided to give ourselves a Christmas present. So off to the local Ritz Camera store. None in stock. I had even called before we went and was led to believe they had them in the store. Bummer. But we still needed a couple of items from JoAnn's Fabric.

Once back at the camper I went online to check the deal and order the camera. Boy I will not deal with Ritz online again. Well it will have to be a really good deal for me to return. The order confirmation process was a real nightmare. But the camera is on the way.

Today we played 2 rounds of what they call "Crazy Golf", really miniature golf. The wife beat me. Bummer.
We decided to spend the rest of the day at the pool so we had lunch and headed off. We stopped to talk to Steve and Sally from New York since they had kayaks on their car. We had a nice visit with them and may kayak with them after Christmas.

We met a couple from MD at the pool and talked with them a while. The area where that 66" water main broke is where he travels for work.

After the pool we came back and had some snacks, listened to Radio Margaritaville, napped and basically just chilled. After supper we watched "A Christmas Story" ... Ralphie you'll shoot your eye out.


Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Paddle day 6 Dec 21

The winter solstice, what a great day. Winter is here. Yep it will get down to 50 tonight and only in the 60's tomorrow. Oh that's summer in Vermont.

Today we met Rich and Linda at Nokomis Beach about 10:30. We arrived about a half hour early so we drove down to North Jetty Park and walked out to the jetty. The link above will take you to a map of the area which will make it easier to follow the description of our journey.

A view of the North Jetty

While there we met two ladies who were launching their kayaks and talked with them for a while. They were heading up Donna Bay. They told us about a few areas they had kayaked. Since it was after 10 I gave Rich a call on and he old me they were at the launch site on Nokomis Beach so we drove up to meet them.

Once we launched we headed up Lyons Bay and under the Albee Rd. bridge an into the canals in the development there. There was not much to see so we headed back toward the inlet area. There is an island on the bay side the inlet with a nice sandy beach so we took a snack break there.

Snack break on the island

We went along the shore and into one of the marina areas, Higel Marine, before we decided to head to Roberts Bay and on up to Curry Creek. It was a long windy paddle across Roberts Bay and time for lunch. As we approached the US41 bridge we noticed a small beach area so we put in there and had lunch.

Lunch break

After lunch we decided to work our way up Curry Creek so off we went. The current was a little stiff but it was favorable for this leg. We went up the creek about 3/4 mile before deciding to make the turn and head back.

Up the creek, with paddles

A Great Blue Heron takes flight

The return trip was against the wind and current. It was a long paddle back to where we would make the turn to head pack to the launch point. Now both the wind and current were in our favor. While we were loading the kayaks the girls went to the beach to do a little shell hunting. Not much for shells but we did see a Gopher Tortoise.



A most excellent day. When we returned to Sun-N-Fun we fed and walked Logan before heading off to the hot tub's.

Stimulating the economy

We have our own stimulus package for the local economy. Eat out and buy clothes on sale. Some what of a silver lining to this mess is the deep discounts we are finding on clothes. We are replacing some of the stuff we donated when we were selling our house. We find it hard to refuse a 40% discount on an already discounted item.

Several days ago we purchased a couple of shirts and pair of shorts, all name brand, for about $35. Today we were off to the Siesta Key beach and did a little more shopping. More Florida clothes.

Nice beach day.

After returning to the park we worked on some projects and got somewhat caught up on the blog.

Cold front coming tomorrow evening they say but we should have a good paddle.

Paddle day 5 Dec 19

Again it would be just the ladies and me. We had decided to go to Stump Pass state park, part of the Lemon Bay Trail which was our first paddle. We decided to go there because the shelling would be good and the access to the Gulf was close. Also by the time we got to the inlet we should be near slack water which would make it easy to go out. Also it would be low slack so we would be returning on a flood which makes it easy to enter.

Linda was excited about getting out into the Gulf and once we reached the inlet there was no holding her back. She was driven.

Linda looking for dolphins or manatees in the Gulf

Once just outside the inlet we noticed a power boat just drifting along with everyone watching the water. We took a closer look and noticed Dolphins. Now I was excited. All of us paddled hard to get to the area where we saw a small pod, 3 or 4, swimming along. Look at the dark areas in the following picture and those are the dolphins. I just wasn't quick enough to get them when they broke the surface. The next time I will change the camera to take a series of pictures.

Dolphins off the bow. The dark areas.

We paddled and drifted out side the inlet for a long while in hopes that we would see the dolphins again. Food called so we headed back through the inlet and beached the kayaks so we could have lunch and do some shelling.

Suzette, Linda and the horizon

While the ladies went shelling I went back out to look for the dolphins. It was quite a bit of effort getting thru the inlet since the current had changed to flood. I went out to the first nun and would drift back to the can and paddle out again. I paddled in to where they were shell hunting and then headed back in the inlet to meet them and start the paddle back to the park.

The paddle back was uneventful and without much wildlife or fish jumping. It was about 1500 when we were packed up and leaving.

The day was a 10. No doubt.

Paddle day 4 Dec 17

Rich had picked up a job so it would be just Linda, Suzette and I for this adventure. We decided on the Caspersen Trail. At the time of posting the proceeding link was not the correct pdf. I decided to keep it on the off chance that the webmaster would fix it.

Caspersen beach is at the end of Harbor Drive in Venice. It is a good beach for shells and finding shark's teeth.

Linda and Suzette among the Mangrove's

We didn't want to chance the short way to the ICW since it was low tide so we headed to Red Lake and then among the Mangroves to finally make the ICW. We headed down stream looking for Alligator creek on the far bank. Along the way Linda pointed out an Osprey that was feeding on a fresh caught fish on branches above us. As we drifted by it flew off with it's lunch in it's talons.

Osprey with lunch take out

We finally found the creek we were looking for and started to head up it. But the entry way we choose was almost a mud flat because of the tide. So we stopped on the mud and had our lunch. After lunch we dragged our kayaks across the flat but decided not to go any further up the creek. So we headed back to Caspersen.

A yellow crowned night heron feeds along the mangroves

Once the kayaks were back on the trucks we went to the beach along the Gulf to look for shells and shark teeth. So many shells so much time. Tough life but we carry on.

Paddle day 3 Dec 16

We had called Rich and Linda to see if they could play on Tuesday and they could not make it on that short notice. So Suzette and I decided that we would go to Phillippi Estate Park, launch and head up river until we had enough. The paddling guide for this trail is here.

Phillippi Estate Park canoe and kayak launch

Condo's along the creek

Once under the US41, Tamiami Trail, bridge we went to a little bay on the north where the Phillippi Creek Villiage is located. The sun glare of the white buildings washed out the digital photo so all you get to see is the dock area at the restaurant. The food is excellent here and the crowds attest to that.

Dock at Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant

We continued up river a couple of miles to the first bridge we came to. We later found out that we had made the Proctor road bridge. We drifted and paddled back to the park and decided to go on out to the ICW. We saw a number of shore birds as well as Osprey. We were surprised to come across the raccon, below, having his lunch. He didn't seem the least bit concerned that I was drifting closer and closer for a picture. Of course I was using our Hero water proof camera and it doesn't have zoom so this is the best I could get.

Raccoon feeding along Phillippi Cree.

Once we were on the ICW we headed south toward Stickney Point road bridge. We go to wondering if we could find the canal that goes behind our friends estate. As luck and good navigation would have it we found the canal entrance. We paddled on down toward the estate and were called to by a neighbor. We talked a little about the kayaks and we told her we knew the owners. We had a very enjoyable visit before heading back to the park.

The estate on Sanford

Paddle day 2 Dec 9

We met Rich and Linda about 10:30 at Turtle Beach so we could kayak around the Jim Neville Marine Preserve.

We went ashore at the location of Midnight Pass, which is now closed, and walked the beach of the gulf shore looking for shells and just enjoying the day. Back in the boats we went around the South end of the preserve and across the ICW to look for the entrance to Catfish and North creeks. Although we didn't find the opening we did see an eagle on the hunt. We watched as it made a pass at the water attempting to catch a fish. It missed and circled a few times before flying off.

We found a little sandy area on a mangrove island where we could stop for our lunch before working our way back across the ICW and the North end of the preserve to head back to Turtle Beach. It was a nice paddle and seeing that eagle made the day.

Turtle Beach Launch Area

Larry and Suzette Paddle along

Rich and Linda

My shell collection