Day 71 02/14/2010
Start: 8:45 AM- Matlache Finish: 3:00 PM - Bonita Beach Time: 6:15 Daily dist: 24 miles Total dist: x miles Companions: None Weather: Partly Cloudy with light north wind and temps in the lower 60’s Notes: The fishing pier on Sanibel was the first passing of a point I’ve already been to. With a shorter than normal day in store for me today we made time for a big breakfast and took our time getting back to the water. So it was that at about 9:00 AM Jory waved good by from the dock and I started out on the first day of this trip since St. Louis that would take me past places I have already been.  Jory and I at the amazing kayak launch we used the last two days  Uncle Jim’s pier in the distance It was the fishing pier on Sanibel Island where I had fished seven years ago with my uncle Jim when I was living in Fort Lauderdale and he and my aunt were spending their winters on the island. I must admit I was a little lost as I approached the causeway that accesses Sanibel. The huge bridge that now towers over the water was not there seven years ago when I was last here. When I saw it took me a moment to realize that it was there in place of the low draw bridge that I had expected to see. The trend of replacing the low bridges (often with draw sections) that access off shore islands with huge tall bridges seems to be universal in every corner of the country. While it makes travel on and off the island much easier, I think it runs the risk of wrecking the remote (slow easy pace) feel of those vacation islands. All in the name of progress I guess.  this wasn’t here last time From the bridge I had only twelve miles to go to reach today’s destination, Doc’s restaurant at Bonita Beach. That rendezvous point has been in the works since the first hours of this trip when the “bell ringers” Larry and Kathy rang a cow bell to get my attention and said hello as I paddled by on the icy cold Wisconsin River. Two months and several e-mails later we finally crossed paths again on a sunny (and not quite warm yet) Florida beach. Larry and Kathy (along with a bunch of their friends from Wisconsin) treated me to a sandwich and Coke at Doc’s. After eating we stashed the Ikkuma in an enclosure next to the restaurant and locked it to the wall. From there Larry and Kathy took me home to their vacation rental to spend the night with them. It was refreshing to be around so many folks from back home.  the “bell ringers” Larry and Kathy back home in Wisconsin This was my last night “couch surfing” before I enter the 10,000 islands and Everglades and camp my way for several nights on my way toward my friends in Fort Lauderdale and the end of the Gulf Coast segment of this trip. It’s a fairly remote section of coast that I’m going to be entering so there may be a gap in posting, so please stand by. CommentsLyn Stachovak 02/15/2010 9:01:55 pm It sounds like you had a great time with Larry and Kathy. Who is Jory and how did you end up paddleing with him? Now, stay away from all the alligators in the Everglades... They're probably not as dangerous as the people in Vicksburg tho so I shouldn't worry. Sheila 02/15/2010 9:15:05 pm I couldn't believe in my surfing the other night I saw a photo of you and thought "that man looks lake Jake". It was you.....Winter 2007 The MASIK newletter of Qajaq.....I'm looking to learn to do the Greenland Ropes do you have any info. Saw this all on the california kayak friends website CKF.org with a video on page 2 incase anyone wants to check it out. All I can find is the Dubside video "Greenland Rope Gymnastics" and not even sure it is still in publication. Also, www.qajaqusa.org had lots of stuff. If you know or know someone that knows more about this or would teach it please let me know. Thanks, Oh, I was reading your 100 boats in 100 days and very much enjoyed the blog. gene 02/16/2010 11:23:20 pm I have been trying to find an outfitter for the Pine Island Sound. When you mentioned Florida Paddle Sports I looked them up and found just what I needed. Talked to Jory today. Thanks for the tip! Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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