Big Pine Key annual trip

[Mike Magee]

Yeah, but the canoe's bottom is so rounded and the SUP is flat; I was always leery of standing in the canoe. If you fall out of the canoe it's a ton of work to get back in, but the SUP should be pretty easy to re-mount. And then there's the weight of the craft (some boards are only 25 lbs), and transport and portability differences.

[Glenn Baglo]

Find a canoe club.
The president of the one I used to belong to got his canoe up on a wave in the river ( the forces of the wave moving upstream and the current going down reach equilibrium and the canoe doesn't move ). Then, he stood up and the woman in the bow did a head stand on the bow seat. No, they didn't dump.
The club had dues of $25 a year ( 20 years ago ) and offered free still water and moving water lessons to members. Nothing gives more pleasure than expertly paddling your own canoe.
You can get very light-weight canoes ( but your pocket book will be substantially lighter ).

[Martins HeirCon]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

How did you like the paddle board? I'm thinking about one of those. How steady did you feel on it (balance wise)? Did it seem like something you could do for an hour or two, or was it more like ten minutes and "let me off this thing"?

I've had boards for 4 years,it's like breathing by now. What I hadn't tried was surfing a 12' pig setup with a bonefishing fin. Comedy ensues...


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[MyronL]

I am soo ready to see those FLA Keys. Great stuff-- what was the water temp?

[Martins HeirCon]

Originally Posted by Myron Leski

I am soo ready to see those FLA Keys. Great stuff-- what was the water temp?

79 I Think. Pleasant for sure! Today we paddled up a mangrove creek to the interior of No Name Key.




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[Martins HeirCon]

Yesterday, we paddled out of the old quarry on Scout Key. Had a great time chasing 6' rays along the reef. Too bad my photog skills don't extend to pictures while paddling, it was way cool. We were a good half-mile offshore and the water was shallow enough that the ray's wingtips would break the surface as they swam.

.

Then my dear wife (who never ceases to amaze me anyway) accepted the challenge of an open-water paddle with me, back across Spanish Harbor channel to camp. I was so stoked to have her along!

!

I'll try to arrange another, longer one while we're still here. Since the prevailing winds are 10-15 from the east, it's a neat trick to drive up the road a piece to put in. Once you float back to camp, just get a neighbor to shuttle back up for the truck.


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[Mike Magee]

I'd forgotten just how great it looks in the Keys. Hey, when do we get to see a closeup of your lovely wife?

[Martins HeirCon]

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[Flyboyscamp]

Wow, the water is crystal clear. We love scuba diving in such waters.

[Martins HeirCon]

Not bad! 80 everyday.



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[Mike Magee]

Aargh! You do realize that some of us are stuck up north, don't you?? Oh, to be in the Keys! You lucky dog!

[coastsignal]

Old Wooden Bridge Fish Camp & No Name Key Bar?
Great places--enjoy!
Mark

[Martins HeirCon]

We did enjoy thoroughly, thanks!

Alas, it's time to mosey.



Until next year, BPKFL family.


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[Mike Magee]

Ahhh, look at those nice palm trees. (sigh) Looks like you had a great time there.

I'm going to get me one of those paddle boards. And I think I'll experiment with putting a lightweight folding lawn chair on it when the water's calm; then I can tell relatives that I'm "chairman of the board."

[Martins HeirCon]

So sorry it's over. Oh well, it's off to the Green Eggs and Ham rally this weekend!

We did stop to visit friends in Clearwater on the way back, and got to paddle with some manatees in the Weeki Wachee river


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