[Paddlewise] Last Minute Trip Report

That's a last minute trip...report.  I was unable to attend the "Reunion"
but took a few days off last week. My wife and I decided to do the tourist
thing in the Keys but threw the bike and K-light in the van as an
afterthought. We checked in to Amy Slade's dive resort, one of the less
expensive places to stay in Key Largo and got a nice room with a kitchenette
on the pool (as a walk in) for $100. It was a perfect late afternoon with a
stunning sunset over the water on the way so I immediately yanked the
K-light out and was on the water and paddling within 40 minutes or so, much
to the amazement of the guests (mostly divers) getting ready for the sunset.

I paddled a few miles north and then back to the "resort" as it was getting
dark. I've been through the sunset ritual in the Keys a few times but it was
funny to set it from the water. Thousands of faces, drinks in hand, staring
out to sea... On my return I had a show and tell session with the K-light. I
had to assure them that you couldn't dive from it. Getting back in would be
a major problem.

I had planned to do some diving the next morning, but opted for an early
morning 20 mike bike ride instead. We packed up and headed over to Florida
Bay Outfitters for some paddling suggestions. Bob, one of the employees?
Owners??? went out of his way to show me a number of different paddles on
some of the charts in the store. We decided that we'd head South and check
out Indian and Lignum Vitae. As we crossed the bridge over Lignum Vitae
channel, I noticed a motel on the left and stopped in to see if they had any
rooms available. We got a nice apartment at the Star of the Sea that slept 5
or 6, full kitchen and cable TV for $100. We could see Indian Key from the
room. I transported the Feathercraft on the Yakima racks so no assembly
required. Another benefit of the Star of the Sea were the brand new Old Town
doubles (Not SOTs) available for the guests. I took the K-light and my wife
took an Old Town and we paddled over to Indian Key. We passed on the guided
tour but explored the very interesting archeological site of one of the
first settlements in South Florida which had an economy based on salvage.
The Indians raided in 1840 and killed everyone. (That was before Indian
owned Casinos).

We dropped the K-light off at the motel and headed out to Lignum Vitae in
the Double for the 2:00 tour. We found the botanical aspects especially
fascinating and now know a lot more about what is growing in our back yard.
There were a few other serious paddlers there in Sealution IIs, Neckys and
other respectable boats. After the tour we hopped back into our Loon and
dropped all the other boats in our wake. There was a certain minimalist
pleasure in paddling a boat that probably cost less than my paddle.

We arrived back at the Star and headed straight for the hot tub, then a
drink in the hammock watching the sunset and an excellent meal at a somewhat
touristy seafood restaurant up the road. A perfect day!

For those of you about to get nailed by the snow storm, my heart goes out to
you.

Bob Denton

Cya


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