[Paddlewise] Florida Reunion

HOMELESS NO MORE

Submitted to the Paradise Paddlers newsletter by Sandy Kramer

After several months of planning, the online paddlers met in Miami/Key Largo 
over Presidents' Day weekend.  What started with someone's "how nice it would 
be to paddle in warm water instead of freezing our buns off up here" comment 
took on a life of its own.

The 10 most important things I learned about hosting a group of visitors:

1. Numbers change.  The initial rush was eventually replaced with 
cancellations as job conflicts, family emergencies, and unexpected expenses 
intervened.

2. Scheduling ain't easy.  I learned it was not even remotely reasonable to 
think I could have the gang (Bob and Joan Volin and John Fereira) - including 
food for several meals -  in Key Largo by 8:30 a.m.

3. Allow an hour for boat rental activities.  Trying out different boats and 
checking out the goodies at Florida Bay Outfitters took longer than I thought.

4. Apologizing sucks.  When we finally reached the Indian Key put-in visitors 
Tina Scholnick and Kathy Peirce were sitting on a rock in the hot sun.  The 
rest had set off.  I sincerely apologize to all of you.  It was a gorgeous 
day, so I'm sure you enjoyed it anyway.

5. Self-guided tours can be great.  Thanks to Pat Moss, who turned back to 
Lignum Vitae Key, we were given a delightful tour.  What she had just learned 
from the ranger-led tour was augmented by her own knowledge of local flora.  
The rest of the paddle to Indian Key was very enjoyable.  We ate, swam, and 
some of us walked around the former seat of Dade County.

6. Be careful where you park.   What appeared to be a perfectly acceptable 
parking spot turned out to be right in the line of fire of a boat trailer.  
Seeing part of your fender lying on the ground is not a pretty sight.

7. Lateness begets lateness.  If you're late to the paddle, and you don't 
have clean clothes to change into, you're gonna be late to the Happy Hour.  
In fact, Happy Hour was over by the time we got there (I do like to shower 
before going out), but we sat outside and enjoyed the music.  Joan Volin was 
able to get her conch fritters and key lime pie.

8. I'm not as young as I used to be.  By Sunday my energy had failed and I 
felt it prudent to miss the paddle and stay home to get an extra boost via a 
couple of siestas.

9. Go with the flow.  Although this is my usual motto, there were times when 
we were flowing with the go.  

By the time we got Hank Berger to the Wellman's house for an overnight 
camping paddling trip (after changing a flat tire in the Oleta parking lot 
prior to heading to MIA to pick up the Volins - and I'd forgotten the flight 
info at home!) the flow had completely upped and gone!

10. It's great to meet online "friends" in person.  

My personal measure of the event's success is two-fold.  The visitors got to 
paddle in warm water and they all returned without suffering any mishaps.  

I could not have pulled this off without the help of several friends.  
Marinell Davis set up a Web site for the event, and continuously bolstered, 
advised, and encouraged me.   Sharon Alvarado hosted Tina and Kathy (as well 
as Betsy Barnicle who was also homeless that night).  Pat Moss offered online 
advice and helped on the Saturday paddle.  Keith and Nancy Wellman hosted 
Hank Berger.  Other folk offered suggestions re housing and logistics.  Also, 
my ex-husband, Bill Kramer, who graciously allowed some indoor campers, and 
FBO's Moonshine: Monica Woll, without whom I would have been up the 
proverbial creek without a paddle.  Thanks to all of you.
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