>From time to time, I get requests for information about the best places to see rocket launches from a kayak or canoe near Cape Canaveral, Florida. Security zones for all watercraft have been expanded after September 11, so here are my suggestions based on the latest information for the upcoming shuttle launch. To the north, much of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is off limits during a launch, though you can still see the shuttle from quite a distance up there. The ocean and Indian River are too open and subject to waves and clapotis (though surf kayakers would enjoy that). On the south, the Haulover Canal (http://www.kayakguide.com/Haulover.htm) is right at the southern border of the current launch security area, so that's as close as you can get. The one issue with that site is that it is usually be packed with motor boats, making it less than scenic and somewhat hazardous to paddlers. I believe the best option for viewing from a kayak might be the UlaMay bird sanctuary (http://www.kayakguide.com/Ulamay.htm). The northern area of UlaMay is only a little farther away to the west of Haulover. But it is ONLY accessible by paddlers and it is a beautiful, natural paddle. Paddlers should be able to see the shuttle clearly behind a foreground of grasses, mangroves, and birds on a number of channels and small lakes. And you'll be close enough to hear (and probably FEEL) the sounds of the space shuttle engines! You'll probably want to start early so you can paddle to the north end to be as close as possible to the shuttle and a larger lake that is often the site of many birds roosting (see attached photo of my wife there). Unfortunately, launch shuttle time windows are no longer announced as far in advance for security, so you should also plan to start early to help your chances of being in the right place at the right time. -- Al Vazquez KayakGuide.com tm Places to Paddle tm *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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