Here in Miami

Well...a lot has transpired since the last update on Wednesday. 

My last few days in Baltimore were extremely busy, running around and taking care of last-minute preparations. Regardless of planning for a long kayak trip just preparing to go away for 3 months anywhere requires the tying of a lot of loose ends. This will sound lame but I had a very hard time saying goodbye to my dog, she looked so sad. 

Anyways, my brother and I arrived safely here in FL, we procured some suitable lodgings and then paid a visit to our Aunt and Grandmother who we haven't gotten to see for a long time. After a lovely visit we began knocking off errands.

The first thing we did was go pick up the boat from the Forward Air shipping terminal by the airport.  Initially I think there was a little confusion over which of the two kayaks that they had in their possession was mine but then the gentleman quickly disappeared down a row of palates and shipping crates seemingly knowing where mine was stashed.  When he returned 10 minutes later he wasn't CARRYING the kayak with the forklift but rather PUSHING it. This is apparently how they had been moving it around the entire time because both layers of padding had been rubbed away from the bottom and my boat was essentially scraping against the warehouse floor. Although I was upset I had a hard time saying something because my ability to yell at a forklift operator in spanish is a little rusty. We never really covered those vocab words in class. After unwrapping it completely and careful inspection the damage is really pretty superficial. The stern hull may have gotten rubbed down a little bit but there is nothing I can do about it now. Its not worth worrying about because its not going to affect they way it paddles (tracks), or its overall durability, I don't believe.  And still, do get the boat all the way down here for 100 bucks with that being the only issue isn't a big deal. 

I was able to find some fuel and decided to get 4 canisters because who knows when I'll be able to easily get more. Thats about 5-6 hours of cooking time - tons when it only takes 4 minutes to boil water. We're staying in a motel in Coral Gables (seems like the only place in all of FL without a pool) who were nice enough to accommodate me with a 1st floor room so I could bring the boat inside. This way it will be safe and secure and I can continue to practice pack it. Up next on the agenda is to get the first round of food supplies. I just haven't been able to get everything done that I needed to and I don't feel comfortable starting tomorrow so I'm going to take one extra day and begin 8 am Tuesday from Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne. 

Also, I've had a serious change of strategy over the last few days.  Basically I need to get out of S. Florida as fast as possible. From the dock-masters and marina managers that I've talked to over the past week kayaking certainly does not seem embraced in this region. You really need to have an 80 foot Hatteras to get some respect around here. So I'm just going to do whatever I can to get to Boca as fast as possible. 

Ok thats a lot and enough for now.....

I appreciate all the calls and texts this afternoon from those of you who (accurately) anticipated that I was starting tomorrow but it just wouldn't be safe because I don't feel comfortable yet. I'm glad that I have my brother and the extra day to go down to the park tomorrow and do a dry-run. Thats a pretty bad pun, I'm sorry.

The weather is here, wish you were beautiful!

Seth 

Out of my hands

The boat is officially on its way to Miami, let's keep our fingers crossed that it makes it there in one piece. Right now it is actually headed north to New Jersey where it will change trucks and then start right back south, all the way to the Sunshine State. The folks at Forward Air were very nice (I talked to the fork-lift operator for awhile and got the inside scoop on how the freight industry really works) but I can't give them my endorsement just yet until I see the condition that it arrives in on Saturday.


Follow the pictures link at the top to see what today's quite extensive packaging process entailed - THANKS MOM!


I'll tell you what though.....I didn't make any friends today on I-695. I had to drive it down to their shipping terminal at BWI during rush our and it was bouncing even more, wrapped up, then it usually does so I was going like 40 mph, tops. I got a lot of stares, a few honks, and a couple of fingers. If you're curious, the pink material is just pre-cut carpet padding from The Depot. There's bubble wrap on both ends too all held on by about 2 full rolls of both duct and packing tape.

Terrible Timing

I've managed to somehow catch what everyone else seems to have right now. A little late-season illness. I wouldn't necessarily say I'm sick but certainly sickly. That's ok, its not debilitating. It just makes running around and getting things done a little annoying. My head feels like it weighs 50 pounds.

Anyhow, here are some pics of the boat after it got its decals put on yesterday. Big thanks again to Luke Barosky (check him out at Lukebarosky.com) for designing a great logo:




I also have spent a lot of time playing with the hammock the last few days. I was a little confused when I first took it out of the box but have quickly gotten the hang of it. They say once familiar with the process it can be set up in 2 minutes; after many times up and down I would say I can do it in 5 - but I'll keep practicing. Last night I set it up in the dark and it was much easier then putting a tent up in the dark. The thing really is pretty amazing. Its just so comfortable. There are no sticks and stones poking you in the back, you're up off the cold ground, and theres no way for creepy crawlers to get at you.

Heres a pic from inside it last night ( I sleep in it all night because it actually got quite cold here in MD and I didn't think I needed to encourage this cold that I've managed to pick up):

Hmmm, looks like it needs to be rotated but I don't know how to do that yet so please just turn your head to the right.

Speaking of pictures.........I put a permanent link to the Flickr album at the top here and I'll link it from the main website whenever I get a chance. Check it sometimes because there will be a lot of pictures there that won't ever appear on the blog.

And lastly (for now): a request. If anybody has friends/relatives/or even if you barely know someone who lives on - or close to - the ICW PARTICULARLY SOUTHERN AND MID FLORIDA who you think might be willing to let me through my tent or this hammock up in their yard for a night PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Jerry-Rigged Engineering

I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter and as much fun as I did this weekend!

The boat modifications I was working on last week are just about done at this point and the kayak is just about ready to be put on the truck Wednesday to start way down to Miami. One of the things I did to it was to use some marine epoxy to attach fasteners inside the cockpit. These are going to serve as contact points to tether loose gear to. I also placed four on the underside of the bow deck to hang a mesh "gear hammock" which will be connected with short sections of bungee and small carabiners. It even has 4 pockets to keep things separated and from sliding around. If this sounds confusing its probably because it is. Everyone I've tried to explain this to has looked at me like I have 8 heads. I think its rather ingenious though and is going to work perfectly as an alternative to my deck bag. I plan on using it to hold smaller, waterproof objects (sunscreen, sunglasses, a nice piece of fruit or even my phone (in its WP case of course) close at hand. I'll try to post some pictures so its clearer what exactly I'm talking about.

Speaking of pictures all the trip pictures are going to be hosted by Flickr (go figure). They have a great, free service whereby you can email a picture from your mobile phone to a specially designated address and they will post it directly in your section of online photos. The link for those is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24472130@N06/

And now for something totally unrelated to the trip:
I had a good, good friend pass through town this weekend; he just happened to be traveling from Colorado to Mexico via Maryland. Is it ironic or just unfortunate that there is often a dilemma when it comes to being both a socially responsible traveler and a poor college(ish) stud(ent)? Anyhow, he was able to pull some strings with an old high school friend who now works for the Washington Nationals and get us a tour or their brand new stadium. Its the only new stadium opening in the majors this year and it means that the Nats wont have to play in should-be-condemned RFK any longer. The new place is nicccccceeee - pretty much as soon as your ticket is scanned you have amazing views of the field no matter where you are inside the park. Most people will enter through the main gate in left-center field onto a mezzanine that looks over the sunken field. There's also not a wall between the seats and concessions, meaning that when you get up to get a dog or hit the head you don't have to watch the game on a TV. Although if you wanted to you could: this place is filled with Sony Bravias galore. They were all being installed as we picked our way under the scaffolding and around still wet cement.
Although, the coolest part just might be two rows of special seats that they call the Red Loft and which will remind Red Sox Nation of their seats atop the monster. Not only are they cushions and backs padded with a luxurious pleather but each pair is seperated by a small table (where the SERVERS will place your food) and have more leg room then an Emergency Exit Row. Also, on this level, which accommodates only these maybe 50 seats, is a gorgeous, long bar. This section was not designed with nuns and school children in mind.
Granted, its still not as cool as Camden Yards but it is nice enough that I'm sure it will steal away some of those swing-fans from the region who continue to give up on the Baby Birds.

confirmed.

Another week has flown by but its been a very productive one.

There is now an official start date set of Monday, March 31st! That's right, its official now. Plane tickets have been bought and shipping details have been confirmed. There's no turning back now.

There was actually quite a bit of confusion surrounding the travel arrangements which had me on the phone for hours with airlines and 3rd party shipping companies. Let me explain: After scouring paddling message-boards for tips on getting a 17.5 foot kayak from Baltimore to Miami I came upon the very surprising recommendation to simply check it as baggage on Southwest - the only airline that will accept kayaks. Doubtful, I called SW who actually assured me that it would be no problem, just to show up extra early and that I would have to pay a 50 dollar fee. I was a little skeptical, but cheap flights and I can check my kayak; imagine my excitement! This was going to be so easy. However, the next day before securing one of their "web deals" I thought I would double check over the phone to make sure I wouldn't be showing up to a frustrating situation at the airport. Good thing I did. The representative was firm in telling me that there was no way they would be accepting a kayak - not for any fee - and this was after I had her triple check with her supervisor.

So...many quotes and questions later I have reached an arraignment with Forward Air who despite their name is actually a trucking company. For a reasonable 140 dollars they'll be moving my kayak (hopefully in one piece) from a terminal in Baltimore to one in Miami - just minutes from the airport where I'll be touching down. My brother is going to be accompanying me down on the 29th, helping me fill my first stock of supplies and then officially launcing on the 31st.

Its weird, but after 2.5 months of planning and preparation confirming these transportation details finally caused a sense of nervousness and anxiety. Its since passed, and I think its normal, but there was a strong feeling of inevitability resonating with me. I think more then anything I am just very excited to get back on the water and outside. Preparation has meant a lot of time spent on the phone and in front of the computer which just doesn't work well for me.

Anyways, a lot of gear showed up this week which is always fun. Pretty much every day this week was a mini Christmas. An array of dry bags on Tuesday, map cases & new stove on Wednesday, and then a very compact summer bag on Thursday. I'm very happy with the gear I've selected for this trip. I tried to pick gear that would have the best combination of weight, durability, and versatility. Also I was very fortunate to secure some very, very generous corporate sponsorships this week. Costa Del Mar has kindly furnished a pair of their fantastic sunglasses. Clark Hammocks is providing one of their totally bad-ass jungle hammocks which I could not be more excited about, and Werner was very accommodating in rushing out a spare paddle from their factory in Washington. LOOK FOR MORE ON THIS ISSUE ON THE WEBSITE.

After a satisfying week of productive work I thought I deserved a reward so I went to one of my absolute very favorite music venues to see a terrific band play. They hail all the way from Leeds, England and go by the name The New Mastersounds. These guys are fuuuuunkyyy. And, of course, being from across the pond, these smashing lads play to all the birds and blokes sporting rather dashing trainers and trousers. Check them out.

The Countdown Has Begun

- Back from Utah and right back at it.

I really did put a little countdown on the site even though its not precise because it is a great motivator. There is still A LOT to be done and as I watch the seconds tick off I can stay focused on that fact.

There's a lot on the TO DO list this week:
Arrange shipping details to FL
Confirm my stay with marinas through W Palm Beach
Finish a solicitation letter to friends/and family (because expenses are adding up FAST)
Get decals (site address, logo) printed up for the boat
Continue to train

....actually I need to first FIND my To Do list because I know there is a lot more on it then that.

It turns out I may need to re-examine my partnership with AIWA. I really want this experience to benefit a good cause but It is beginning to look like it's not going to work out. Stay tuned for more details on this.

As for the ski trip, it was fantastic but I think we were a couple weeks late in the season. It was spring skiing. There were a couple days when the base was 50 degrees and the snow was just to soft/wet by lunch. Thats the first I've skiied in the state of Utah and I was impressed - all the resorts are so accessible and the mountains are much different then they are in CO. We skied Alta/Snowbird, Solitude and Snowbasin - where they had the men's and women's downhill for the Salt Lake Olympics.


So I don't know if anyone is actually even reading the blog yet or not. Please do. And don't worry it will get a lot more exciting once the trip starts.

Peace,
Seth