I never thought I would see myself floating in the Gulf of Mexico in a 14-foot, very narrow, very shallow piece of molded plastic. However, three years ago that all changed when we bought our first kayaks. We had seen a man fishing out of a kayak in our bay and my husband and I thought it was something we might like to try. He loves to hunt, I love to sew, but this was something we could do together.
We started out with 10-foot Pelican kayaks from Sports Authority. We paddled around our bayou and bay and fell in love. Although they were not the best kayaks, they did give us the chance to try kayaking before spending a lot of money. Those kayaks lasted maybe a week and we were down to our local canoe shop seeing what was available on a much grander scale.
In 2008, we purchased a 14-foot Wilderness Systems Tarpon for my husband and a 12-foot
Wilderness Systems Pungo for myself. We decked ourselves out in life vests, paddles, Tilley hats, and all the gear needed to have a safe kayaking trip. We were set. Let the adventures begin! We kayaked several times a week and visited all areas of North Bay and West Bay, going in the afternoons after work and paddling until dark. We had found the perfect activity that we could both enjoy. Life was great!
The following summer, we ventured out toward Redfish Point and Shell Island. One Saturday we launched close to the City Marina and paddled all the way to the island. I think it ended up being about an 11-mile trip, the longest trip we had ever attempted. We were exhausted but it was wonderful and we had gained much more experience and felt so much more relaxed in our kayaks. We took the kayaks to Port St. Joe and Apalachicola that summer and enjoyed the new surroundings but nothing can match our local waters.
Last summer, we discovered Crooked Island Sound. Let me just say, this place is a little slice of Heaven. It is located on Tyndall Air Force Base and has the whitest sand and the clearest waters you will ever see. There is Gulf access out the pass and beaches galore to explore. We launched at the boat ramp and although the paddling can be difficult and long depending on the prevailing winds, it is well worth the effort once you reach your destination. We explored every beach of this magnificent place from the east side, across the pass, to the west side and even out into the Gulf. One of our favorite trips to make is out the pass and down the west side to the far end. We then carry our kayaks across the beach to the sound side and paddle back. We eventually stumbled across a much easier launch at Buck Beach which provides for a 10-minute paddle across to the island which means we spend less time in the kayaks and more time exploring.
Crooked Island is covered in shells of every description and we have become expert shell hunters. The spring is the best time for collecting shells as they are fresh from the winter and have not been run over by the four wheelers of the bird and sea turtle watchers. Crooked Island is also home to many nesting birds and of course, sea turtles. Areas are blocked off each season from early spring through August for these nesting species. It is a fine balance between humans and creatures but it works and all the humans seem to abide by the rules and the birds and turtles stay safe.
This summer has brought much sadness to our area with the explosion of the Deep Water Horizon oil rig and subsequent oil flood that is presently endangering every aspect of the Gulf of Mexico and all that we hold sacred. As of this date, we are only seeing debris and tar balls on our beaches. However, just west of us, they are experiencing large deposits of pudding-like oil on their beaches. The cost to our environment will never be realized and our white beaches and emerald waters will be soiled for generations to come, not to mention our bays and marshes that are so important to baby sea life. No one can fathom the destruction this oil disaster is going to cause as it will last much longer than many of us will ever live.
So in an attempt to keep kayaking in our life, despite the oil, we are planning several river trips. We have experienced the Wakulla River this spring and the manatees that live there. We loved it! We are checking into the Chipola River and the Suwanee River as well. However, once you have experienced the salt life, you are hooked and nothing can ever compare. I was born and raised right here in Bay County and practically grew up on a boat experiencing all this area has to offer from St. Andrews Bay, to the Gulf, to Shell Island and points from Pensacola to the Bahamas. It may be that the rivers will become our only source of clean water to paddle in, but until that happens, we will continue to enjoy the saltwater around us.
We have fallen in love with our area waters and even more with kayaking. A friend of mine says kayaking soothes the soul and I'm not sure if it is the kayaking that does this or the environment you paddle in. Just looking at the photos we have taken while paddling in the Gulf of Mexico or along the shores of the sound and bays, one can clearly see the tranquility provided by the water. I have returned to my youth in my kayak and can't wait for kayak season to come again each spring. We look forward to the arrival of the nesting sea turtles and can't wait to see our first pod of dolphins. Our best days are spent just floating in the Gulf waiting for something interesting to swim by or just enjoying the incredible color of the water. The Salt Life is our life now and as long as permitted, we will keep paddling!
As the summer goes on, we will have many more adventures to share with you............
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