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If you want to see the colors of sunrise, you have to get up before the crack of dawn. I did it just for you.


Alrighty now, had your breakfast? Put on your sunscreen? Cinch up your PFD (personal floatation device), grab your paddles, and let’s go.


Off we go. It’s a beautiful morning in spite of coastal wind advisories and small craft warnings. I think we’ll do fine. I must warn you though, if it’s been awhile since you did this, as it has been for me, be prepared for your left shoulder to scream at you soon, “What are you doing to me….over and over?”


Ev is smiling….oh sure, she does this all the time at Silver River.


Little blue heron looking for his breakfast.


Turning off the Tomoka River onto Strickland Creek….supposed to be calmer water. Winds about 10-15 mph.


Great blue heron….hard to get a good picture….wind and current moves you backward as you fumble with the camera.


Ok, shoulder’s loosened up now….I love this stuff!


Ev found a little side trail to explore.


It was calm here so we swapped cameras…there I am.


More kayakers going by


Let’s explore down another side trail….doesn’t go far. Looks like a great alligator lair, but we don’t see any. There’s an osprey in that tall tree, but can’t get a picture of him.


Another great blue

And this one perched in tree. The day belongs to the birds and a few fish jumping in the river.


We’ve traveled south about 1 ½ hours. Time to turn around and let the wind and current help us back.



Bye now. Good upper body workout…I should do this more often. Be sure to take some Ibuprophen.


Before heading home, I visited another State Park….Bulow Plantation Ruins…I’ll show you that tomorrow.

Truly Awesome journey - Thanks for taking us along with. By the way, did you take a class to learn kayaking? Something I've always wanted to do as I could sure us upper body, lower body and every other part of my body in between - work out.

What a great day you had! Love the photos.

No class...just a short private lesson when trying out a friend's kayak several years ago. Maybe a class would improve my skill though...hmmm

Ooooh .... what a wonderful day and beautiful pictures. Thanks for taking me along.

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Awesome is right. You sure know how to have a good time!

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How fun! Pix were good. Wind didn't look too bad. Glad you shared that trip with us.

Wonderful pictures of what looks like a beautiful day......Definitely not a strong kayaker here but when i see the still water I know what I want to do....... Thanks for taking us along.

I took lessons after I had my kayak for quite awhile. I learned how to paddle differently so I didn't use my shoulders so much, but more my whole torso, turning at my waist rather than just my shoulders. Causes a lot less pain and stiffness in shoulders and can paddle further with less strain and fatigue. Otherwise just a matter of practice, practice, practice... wish I still had it. Sold it two years ago to pay for brakes for my car

Barbie

dang, that looks like fun, definately something I'd love to try! Thanks Liz for taking
me along, best part about it... no sore shoulder here

BarbaraRose wrote:I took lessons after I had my kayak for quite awhile. I learned how to paddle differently so I didn't use my shoulders so much, but more my whole torso, turning at my waist rather than just my shoulders. Causes a lot less pain and stiffness in shoulders and can paddle further with less strain and fatigue. Otherwise just a matter of practice, practice, practice... wish I still had it. Sold it two years ago to pay for brakes for my car

Barbie

I see those inflatable ones from Eagle and wonder, as they would seem to be easly stowed. My shoulder (right one) is my only area of concern, so who knows, mabye I can get a lesson in this year or next? Learning golf right now. One thing at a time.

Hobie as a kayak you peddle with your feet and steer with a rudder. Those are really cool and you can even use a sail on them...anyone ever try one of those things out?

Great trip, Liz! It's no wonder your shoulder was bothering you, with all our extra weight!

so totally enjoyed that trip got a really good workout huh NOT!!! you did I'm sure! that is a area that we would have enjoyed the canoe in or now the inflatable rubber raft...
thanks for the pictures
sheila

Since coming to Baja Beth and I having been eyeballing Kayaks and rafts. Frankly, Kayaks worry me. Don't they tip over really easily? And is it any easier to row with two oars than paddle?

Sparkle wrote: Kayaks worry me. Don't they tip over really easily? And is it any easier to row with two oars than paddle?

In my experience, kayaks are less tippy than canoes, due to the lower center of gravity. I have no sense of instability in one....but I don't try to stand up. As to paddling, you don't have to lift the kayak paddle out of the water and move it to the other side. You just alternate dipping left and right to keep going straight.