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Day 53

1/27/2010

9 Comments

 
Daily stats
Start: 6:15 AM -South of Tyndall Airforce Base
Finish: 2:30 PM -South Apalachicola Bay
Time: 8:15
Daily dist: 38 miles
Total dist: 1,525 miles
Companions: None
Notes:  Clear, calm, and great paddling. 
Picture
sunrise on the time zone line 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM I’m not sure
The sun rose at 7:00 AM on the bow of my boat and 6:00 AM on the stern as I crossed the line into the Eastern Time Zone this morning already an hour into my day. This was the first morning in the last several that my tent wasn’t already shaking in the wind when I woke up. So I wrapped up my gear cautiously not wanting to alert the wind gods to my presence and have them unleash their blustery wrath. The seas had calmed overnight and I launched easily into one foot surf. There was a puff of a northwest tail wind all morning as I paddled on the outside of the St. Joseph Peninsula then as I rounded the corner at Cape San Blas and grabbed a photo of the lighthouse there, the winds went flat. Figuring I better make hay while the sun shines I stayed on the water and extra hour and a half and made good time all the way to Little St. George Island on the west end of Apalachicola Bay.

Picture
lighthouse on Cape San Blas
  I could have kept on paddling but after two long hard days me and my gear were beginning to show some signs of wear. I spent the afternoon rinsing gear, tuning up my cook stove, changing batteries in my headlamp, lantern, and SPOT device, and figuring out why my VHF radio suddenly couldn’t find the weather reports. After all of that I turned to doing a little repair work on my feet as well. After all the walking yesterday, (some in my paddling boots, some barefoot, and some in sand covered sandals) my feet were rubbed raw and blistered in several places. Thank goodness I’m sitting on my rear all day instead of walking.

The camp site I ended up at tonight is probably the best I’ve had on this trip so far. I’m set up amongst sand dunes on the end of a peninsula looking west across a half mile of shimmering blue water at the uninhabited and tree covered St. Vincent Island. For the first time since I was on the river there are no signs of human habitation or development anywhere in site. It‘s just me the sand, the water, and the dolphins hunting in the channel. It’s amazing.

Picture
Sunset from camp on day 53
Tomorrow promises to bring a bit of a head wind once again so I’m going to get as early a start as possible to try to get as far east as I can before it catches up with me. Bigger winds and rain are in the forecast Friday and Saturday but I think I have a plan to deal with that. It might get interesting but should be fun.

9 Comments
lyn stachovak
1/27/2010 11:57:37 am

Oh don't say things could get interesting, fun I can live with, but interesting? Hope you're not out of internet or cell service so you can post tomorrow. I'm going to want to see what you thought could be interesting and fun!

Reply
Andy
1/27/2010 11:36:16 pm

Keep paddling Jake, I want to see pictures of Miami.

Reply
Steve H
1/28/2010 12:05:36 am

Jake,

I'm flying to Tampa tomorrow AM from LAX. Would love to host a CKF paddle with you in Florida, but unfortunately, I'm leaving early Sunday morning and I'm in meetings from Friday night through Saturday night.

Stay safe - I'm enjoying your trip vicariously and hope to see you back in CA someday

Reply
Kathy Wilkinson link
1/28/2010 01:36:04 am

That part of Florida is one of my favorite places. Anxious to hear your plan and see how it works out for you!

Reply
Jeff Pauze
1/28/2010 07:19:05 am

Came across your adventure slightly by accident, I was investigating the possiblity of doing this trip myself, you are my new hero and this site has been bookmarked so I can follow along. I did notice your trip plan is bypassing trent/severn from trenton through Georgian bay in favor of the Lake Ontario to Deroit route. Not questioning your reasoning for this as you have clearnly planned this trip, I only mention as I grew up in GB area and have heard from other loopers that this was one of the highlights of the trip. I may be biased, i did my first Kayak solo trip this year from GB to Lake ontario about 500k. I now have the kayak bug which is why I was looking for info on the Loop.

Reply
David Campbell link
1/28/2010 10:52:03 am

No doubt, that the panhandle of Florida will be one of the most spectacular and beautiful places during your trip. I hope you beat the wind coming out of the East. Paddle until you win the battle!!

Reply
BananaTom
1/28/2010 12:27:25 pm

It appears you are in the "Plantation" area of Saint George Island, awesome history there, of which, only a few realize.

Reply
Jan Kleck
1/28/2010 09:36:35 pm

Now, we are getting a major winter storm. Bright sunshine this morning. Not so by later in the day - they are talking about very difficult travel - if not impossible - for several days. Take care - may the winds be good to you!

Reply
Jan Kleck
1/28/2010 09:42:15 pm

I am also waiting to see what you consider "interesting"! Actually, it could be anything that has to do with life!

Reply



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