Shell Key Pass a Grille, Florida

Marissa and I are still down in Pass a Grille, decision day on weather / whether we start leisurely heading back North or throw caution to the wind and stay another day... why we ponder, here are some pics of our trip - click here

After literally cutting the Sawyer Canoe off of the rack last night; (iced lines frozen solid) I got the Kruger Cruiser loaded up for our trip. We are leaving after Boo get's out of school.
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You can track us with SPOT - Click Here

Adventures everywhere...

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It certainly isn't a new idea, living your life to the fullest following your passions, seeking truth being the best person you can be; but the internet sure brings these to light.
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There are grand adventures going on everywhere and it sure is nice to check in on them once in a while.
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New to the list (for me) are:
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http://logofibi.blogspot.com/ - Save the Children 13,000 miles + by canoe
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http://canoeacrossamerica.com/ - Fighting Obesity 5000 miles + by canoe
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I like to call these home grown back yard adventures, cause you can litterly leave right from your back yard. I especially like the adventures that give back or bring awareness to topics of special interest.
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The Capt'n

Tip of the Mitten and then some

Here is a cross section of the weather in June 2010 on Lake Michigan (out of Ludington MI); as we prep for the Tip of the Mitt, it's good to go in to the event informed.
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Visibility good, temperature good, rainy fair, wind not so good. - Weather Gods will be playing a big role in our forward movement. Ah the adventure, the planning... the anticipation.
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Time to start loading the hoopdy...
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The Capt'n

Style (travelling in)

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RUBBER TRAMPS OF VENICE
Familiar faces in remarkable documentary
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“Rubber Tramps is a unique documentary that explores the lives of people who savor the scenery of the open road, in search of an authentic life. These nomads and gypsies make their homes in converted buses, vans and cars. In his last major media appearance, counterculture icon Ken Kesey (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) comments throughout the film, linking today’s rubber tramps with the famous bus trips he and the Merry Pranksters made during the bygone hippie era.” Virtual Venice
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As Boo and I prepare for our road trip; one must search the web to see what's out there (other rubber tramps). Of course there is a movie(s) Rubber Tramps and of course Into the Wild.
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Not to mention my Aunt Sue who did 20 years on the open road traveling from National park to National park following the seasons from Denali to Flamingo and everywhere in between. Now closing in on 80 years old, she lives with us.
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With most adventures less is more; but as I assemble the gear list ( all camp and paddle / sailing necessities ), I see I have whole lot of gear. We had thought about renting a vehicle; but Boo stated we needed to do it in the hoopdy . True, what's the adventure if you are in a vehicle that has all the amenities ?
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We give you the "Hoopdy".
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No radio, windows go up and down at whim, nice crack in the windshield and the left side mirror, well a goose took that out a year ago. We give you our 1999 Jeep Cherokee - 243,000 + miles, but a whole lot of memories, she's a keeper.
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We leave this coming Friday; 4 days till we wash the road salt of Wisconsin off us and hit the open road.
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The Capt'n

Man un-supervised

The Goal is to get the Cruiser out of the garage for our pending rubber tramping trip South. Large canoe doesn't fit through small opening when there are boats stacked all around.
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The dilemma is that the high tension spring on the garage door let loose; it takes a whole lot love to coax the door up, it weighs a lot; I give you man un-supervised.
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When in doubt rig up a bunch of line and pulleys; now I could break out the graphs, do a PowerPoint to show you what I am about to do here, but wait...
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Lets add a little horsepower to this project, lets throw caution to the wind, lets give it a how bout and a what for!!
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Things are looking good; confidence is building, but where is the drama the intrigue. Wait for it...
.For a video of the carnage, click here

Options...

Boo and I are considering other options excursions as we head south on our road trip; we'd like to make Pass a Grille Florida, but one never knows when your rubber tramping.
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If there is a blow or cold front slamming the coast we may take it inside and play on the Suwannee River a bit. Lots to see and do.
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It looks like per their schedule we will miss their Spring festival, which is fine with me; the prices are steep like interest rates on your mama's credit card. Hitting it mid week - less crowds, me likey.
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Plan is to hit Pass a Grille area by the evening of the 27th; local WaterTribers who follow the blog may come out and paddle camp with us on Shell Key for a couple of days.
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This is not one of the Captn's renegade paddling adventures where there is a planned itinerary, entertainment and buffet; if you're there excellent, come prepared.
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Let's dance. - The Capt'n