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

Making waves

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The opportunity to get out and paddle is all the better when you get a big chunk of daylight in your favor. Long live the daylight savings time and the coming of summer.
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Still some massive ice chunks floating around, not to worry the current was minimal so there was little chance of getting a wedgie or pushed around in the flow.
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We paddled the Rock river from the confluence of the Crawfish river on down to Fort Atkinson; stopped for a beer and dinner with Sandy at Paddy Coughlin's - Got love those hot pretzels - these are the days!
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The Capt'n

Boo and Capt'n Spring Adventure

Shell Key is an uninhabited barrier island that is located between Fort Desoto Park and Pass-A-Grille. The only way to get to Shell Key is by boat. Pass-A-Grille is right across the pass to the north of Shell Key, and Fort Desoto Park is right across Bunces Pass to the south.
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Boo and I are headed out to Shell Key over Spring break; if you find yourself in the area and want to paddle camp with us we will be down there March 27th through the April 2nd.
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We are road tripping it so it is on the fly with no guarantees, no agenda, no destination but the Sea horse and Hurricane restaurants in Pass A Grille; a must see sunset at some point on the trip.
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You need a permit to camp on Shell key - permit here

Scamp aground

Unless you have been living under a sail cover you probably know that the Everglades Challenge was run this past week. Tough tough event this year as weather and drama unfolded.
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Still in the spot light are the adventures of Krunch and WoodCutter; their mico-cruiser is litterly stuck in the mud.
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StoryTeller (Jackie Monies) gives us the latest update:
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All our thanks to Esther/WhirlWind and Wayne/MosquitoMagnet for all their hard work and the local knowledge it took to extract Krunch and WoodCutter from the mudflat.

We could not have done so without their help and the assistance they obtained from the park rangers. It is most appreciated and God sent, the answer to prayer.

While the two were not in eminent danger, they were running out of food and water and certainly needed a shower and lots of soap to get the mud off.

Scamp is still out there and we will work next on getting the boat free and back to Flamingo or Key Largo with some more local help. Andrew needs to get on plane back to Oregon and Mike and I will stay here in Florida City near the Flamingo Park until we get Scamp out and headed home.

Thanks to all for the good wishes, advice and prayer. It was so heartwarming and kept me going.

Fingers crossed that the retrieve the boat with out further incident. This is a boat that we followed quite closely during the EC as it is a micro cruiser you can build yourself from a kit; The kits are offered at Duckworks

The Capt'n

Canoecopia revisited

This is a shout out for John who like me, longs for adventure; John fancies wood and canvas; wood and glass construction of his crafts. This beauty is from American Traders.
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This Northeaster dory is a beauty; set up for row and sail It is a kit boat form Chesapeake Light Craft
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Big shout out to everyone who stopped by the Balogh Sail / Kruger Canoe booth and hung out with us; great to see so many familiar faces!!
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The Capt'n

Canoecopia

Canoecopia turned upside down with the rally at the capitol; not. Peaceful enjoyable worth the trip. The Boo stepped out and went up to the capitol to see the tractor parade and meet up with her sister Emily and do State Street. Dave and Mark manned the booth most of the day while I took in a couple of presentations; The Last River Rat, an account of K. Salwey's life on the Mississippi River is outstanding.



More adventure:

Check out www.CanoeAcrossAmerica.com.
The Capt'n

Wakey Wakey to

Pre-Spring in Wisconsin

More Wisconsin River

Glass like conditions always inspire more trips to the Wisconsin River; here's a shot of me in the Sawyer Summersong cruising the shoreline with bluffs as a back drop. Last night was wing night at Crawfish Junction, lots of talk of trips and adventure.
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Koa (paddling pup) sat this trip out as the water is ice cold and I don't have a life jacket for her. I would hate to lose her overboard as she leaps to glory chasing something across the water.
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Spent a significant amount of time trying to get the garage door open so we can get the Sea Wind out for Canoecopia this weekend. All the ice is chipped away and I got a pry beneath it so with the muscle of Boo, Manitou, and Jack we should be able to set her free. (My Sea Wind will be on display to showcase Kruger Canoes and Balogh Sail Designs.
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The Capt'n

Wisconsin River in March

It doesn't get any better then this on the Wisconsin River in March; This is good even for June!

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Sandy John Patrick and Linda make their way down river; calm conditions and blue skies make this trip very enjoyable.

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The beauty of the Wisconsin River, John paddles the shoreline past Ferry Bluff.

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Still there are some risks, cold water, icebergs loom. Safety first at all times.

Captain O Captain

where you be?
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The Captain of the "O" Dark 30 will be lurking over on the Kruger Canoe Adventures blog as we get set up for Canoecopia and the Everglades Challenge. If you're in Wisconsin, swing on by to the Balogh Sails Design Booth and sit a spell. Canoecopia is a hoot!
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We will also be tracking the Everglades Challenge an epic 300 mile + event for small boats; sharing stories and introducing a new event in the Midwest, the TIP OF THE MITT.
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If you have ever thought about a grand adventure on a big lake or on the never ending labyrinth of rivers in Michigan; The Tip of the Mitt is a great introduction, check the site out.
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Click here to be dazzled and amazed - Everglades Challenge starts on Saturday, Canoecopia starts in 10 days.
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The Capt'n