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  • Spring Break in Florida – Part Two, Island Hopping

Spring Break in Florida – Part Two, Island Hopping

Posted on March 13, 2015March 26, 2015 By Tom No Comments on Spring Break in Florida – Part Two, Island Hopping
Paddling, Photography, Travel

Indian River Paddling

Of course I brought a boat with me. Amy has a boat ramp in her back yard, so I would be foolish not to take advantage of multiple paddling opportunities. That is, as long as the weather cooperates.

And the weather was being a bit persnickety. Sunday the breezes kept me off the water, but Monday morning I headed out. The water was still choppy. The wind was coming from the south, blowing the same direction as the incoming tide. I headed south, planning to paddle against the current and wind early in the trip, then take advantage of it on the way back.

Indian River Paddling-1

My typical float plan is to paddle about half a mile south, then cross over to the spoil islands. At this point the main shipping channel is at its narrowest, and there are clear channel markers on either side. I know where I’m safe and can wait to cross the street, so to speak. I paddled across to the island and paused a minute, then continued south.

Between the spoil islands and the barrier islands that separate the Indian River from the ocean there is a wide stretch of “flats” – shallow waters than can only be navigated by kayaks and shallow draft boats known as “flats boats.” Amy has such a boat, and they are common with local fishermen. There were lots of boats out fishing this morning, despite the bumpy waters.

Also along this side of the river there are a series of mangrove islands. These make up a maze surrounding what’s left of the old Fort Pierce Inlet. This was my target – if I could get back into the mangroves I’d have smoother flat water out of the wind. Paddling and exploring would be much easier.

Indian River Paddling-3
Indian River Paddling-4

I found several intriguing little channels and decided to explore. I hadn’t brought a GPS with me, but I had my phone in case I got lost. I didn’t even bring a GoPro along on this trip – just my waterproof camera and my new cheapo Nikon with a long zoom.

The path led me back to an island with solid ground. I think I might have made it to Jack Island, but I’m not sure since I didn’t have a GPS tracker running. There was what appeared to be a trail running along the water’s edge just on the other side of the mangroves, and I came to a small fishing/observation deck.

Indian River Paddling-5
Indian River Paddling-6
Indian River Paddling-7

The small channel I was on opened up and eventually led back out to the flats.

Indian River Paddling-11
Indian River Paddling-10
Indian River Paddling

I paddled back to the spoil island and rounded to the leeward side. Beaching the kayak, I pulled out my mesh hammock and set up shop. There I just enjoyed the cool breeze, rather than battling it. I had myself set up so that I could watch boat traffic come and go. There were several large live-aboards – sailboats, and at least two Nordic tugs. On of the larger sailboats anchored in the protected area and a guy brought his Chihuahua over to walk it.

Indian River Paddling-12
Indian River Paddling-13
Indian River Paddling
Indian River Paddling
Indian River Paddling

I headed on back. As I had planned, the wind and tide were at my back. Even so, it was still bumpy going. It seemed like the wind was getting stronger, so I wanted to be back before the waters got rougher.

Indian River Paddling-14
Indian River Paddling-15

Tuesday morning I actually took two paddling trips. With the time change it’s a bit easier to get up and catch a sunrise. The skies were clear, which is not necessarily a good thing. I guess it’s a philosophical truth – the most beautiful sunrises have some imperfections. The clouds give color and interest to the sky. There were a few on the horizon, down where the sun should come up, but overhead it was deep blue. A waning gibbous moon hung over the palm trees to the west.

Untitled
Indian River Paddling-5

The sun came up as it always does. I stayed until it broke through the bank of clouds on the horizon, then paddled back for my first cup of coffee of the day.

Indian River Paddling-6
Indian River Paddling-10
Indian River Paddling-2
Indian River Paddling-4

Suitably caffeinated, I headed back out before the winds kicked up again. I started out tracing the same route I had on the previous day. I crossed the channel and headed to the spoil island. However, I wanted to see some different waters this time. Instead of heading into the mangroves I turned north and began island hopping. I crossed to the spoil island directly across from Amy’s channel, then continued up to the next spoil island.

Indian River Paddling-2-2
Indian River Paddling-4

The water was crazy choppy. I was bouncing along like a fiend, actually kind of enjoying it. I’d certainly brought the right boat. My Tsunami handles rough water fairly well, as it turns out, and I never felt like I was out of control or was going to get dumped.

Even so, I figured more island time was in order. After all, I was recovering from shingles, and it had left my left shoulder with a constant dull ache. I was even doubtful about my ability to paddle long distances, but I seemed to be OK as far as that was concerned. I pulled into the sheltered cove of the island and once again set up my hammock, this time in the shaded north end of the island where I could watch boat traffic a bit better.

Indian River Paddling-5
Indian River Paddling-6
Untitled

It was quite peaceful, except for the one bit when someone with a big go-fast boat (aka penis extension) decided he needed to come blasting through the manatee zone. He blew right past a couple of sailboats that were none too happy.

Indian River Paddling-1

All was well and good, but I was noticing that the waters continued to get rough. I decided I needed to head back. As I was putting my hammock away it dipped to the ground and snagged a dessicated puffer fish. It took me awhile to extract it without damaging the hammock.

Dessicated Puffer Fish

It was about noon, and just shy of high tide. I was kind of hoping that the turning tide would help me get back. However, what really happens is that the wind and tide working against each other set up a series of standing waves between Amy’s house and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, where she works. I was glad I had some whitewater paddling experience. While it was fun bouncing over the waves, it made getting back home difficult, and I was really ready for lunch.

The wind and waves continued to rise, and making the turn into Amy’s little channel was trickier than I had planned. I made it back to the ramp safely and was putting away my gear when my heart sank. I had left my waterproof camera out on the island. I blame the puffer fish. It distracted me from remembering to pick up my camera.

Battling the waves I’d not had much time for photos, so I didn’t miss it until I got back. Having just made that battle, the last thing I wanted to do was head back out. I hopped onto Amazon to start looking for a replacement.

Wednesday morning started as the others had this week – clear and a bit calmer, but still breezy. I decided to see if the camera was still there. I paddled straight across the channel, then bounced across the waves to the north. I landed, and found my camera right where I had left it, hanging on a tree next to where my camera had been.

Wayward Camera

I came straight on back without much sightseeing. By this time I was starting to suffer from dock-rock at home, as well as an aching shoulder. It was time to rest from three days of kayaking.

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❮ Previous Post: Spring Break in Florida – Part One, Kissimmee Prairie
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