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Club Activities - "You should have been there!"
Elwinder Creek Expedition - Feb 22 - Our maiden voyage as a club!
Eighteen Mosquito Lagoon kayakers had a spectacular day on the water. The band of merrymakers snaked their way down Elwinder Creek, which was created by the mangrove islands in the middle of the Intracoastal Waterway. Click on this link for pictures of the fun.
Bonfire on the Beach - March 20 - Everyone met on the beach at the end of Flagler Ave. The night was cool and crisp....perfect for heating hotdogs and marshmallows over the fire. There were enough goodies to stock our Sunday morning excursion as well. Watch for the next one, as this is a favorite pastime of MLP members.
Callalisa Creek - March 21 - After enjoying a beach camp fire the night before, Mosquito Lagoon Paddlers met at Callalisa Park for a relaxing tidal paddle on the Callalisa Creek. We saw numerous birds including: Yellow Crown Night Heron, Little Blue Heron (white and blue phases), Tricolor Heron, Great White and Snowy Egrets, Ibis, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Kingfisher, and others. The highlight of the paddle was the 12-15 Dolphins we watched, feeding, playing, courting, and heard them calling to each other. We watched them for 20 minutes before returning to the park by route of mosquito control channels cut through the mangroves. We were greeted by two more dolphins at the north end of the Callalisa. Submitted by Jeff Reinhart.
Princess Place Preserve - April 25 - This was a wonderfully peaceful, three hour paddle with Ann Arnorld at the helm. Thanks to the twelve old and new members who made the day spectacular. The osprey's nest and equine sitings were highlights of the trip. No alligators, but we did see lots of tracks.
Moon Light Paddle/Mosquito Lagoon - May 1 - Thanks to Barb we had a wonderfully moon filled paddle under the stars. Twelve ML Paddlers ventured out on such breath taking night, and we all agreed that it needs to be a do over. We even had some finned friends traveling with us for a while. Watch for the next one - you won't want to miss it.
Aquaholic's 5th Annual Poker Run - May 15 - An 8 mile run on the beautiful Ocklawaha River - $15 registration fee includes one poker hand, shuttle services and parking fees, one raffle ticket to win a new perception sundance 12' kayak. Bill Peters invited all Lagoon Paddlers to come out and enjoy the fun. If you'd like to caravan over, meet at the Ormond WalMart shopping center parking lot at 8:00AM. Report to follow.
Silver Springs - May 23 - Ten club members -- Ron and Jennie Keeley, Ann Arnold, Peter Magro, Roger Cutler, Steve Gambino, Mar Nezzo and J.J. O'Malley, Bill Peters, and Lew Dabe -- paddled to Silver Springs on Sunday, May 23. The trip provided many close encounters with nature, but none quite as close as Mar brushing a small alligator when she backpedaled to get a better look at a soft-shelled turtle. The gator jumped in disapproval, and made a hasty exit! Other wildlife included a group of monkeys, who came to the water's edge after their "scout" gave his OK; several families of wood ducks, including a few inquisitive youngsters; a few deer; several additional gators; and a brief glimpse at the elusive prothonotary warbler. Nearly all the water, scores of fish -- including many large gar -- were visible in the crystal-clear water, with legions of turtles sunning themselves on any available log. Other bird life included double-crested cormorant, great blue and green heron, yellow-crowned night-heron, anhinga, summer tanager, acadian flycatcher, yellow-throated vireo and the ubiquitous northern parula warbler. The lone down side was the parade of loud and smelly power boats and jet skis sputtering up and down the river. To reach the park we paddled into the current for 5.3 miles, averaging about 30 minutes per mile. Comingback was much easier, as we floated back at about 20 minutes per mile. paddle, a delightly four hours, 54 minutes, covering 10.8 miles. Submitted by JJ O'Malley. Roger Cutler's pictures of the trip.
Maynard May Park - May 29 - 12 club members enjoyed a morning paddle from Maynard May Park through the intercoastal mangroves. While Snake Creek was too low to paddle, we found plenty of other places to explore, away from the power boaters and the rest of civilization. A family of dolphins put on a good shore prior to the 7:30 a.m. prompt departure, and we encountered a few other dolphins along the way. We were also treated to a fishing demonstration by an osprey. The air was thick with hundreds of white butterflies. Other birdlife encountered included prarie warbler, clapper rail, great and little blue heron, green heron, brown pelican, forster's tern, great egret, mourning and common ground doves and red-winged blackbirds. Enjoying the trip were leader Ann Arnold, Barbara Plourdes, Mar Nezzo, Bill Peters, Lew Dabe, Ron Keeley, Roger Cutler, Jim Bishop, Larry Gilson, Jerry Bousquet, Rich Korduleski and J.J. O'Malley. Roger and Mar took plenty of photos of the trip. Total time: three hours and four minutes, covering 7.2 miles. Submitted by JJ O'Malley. Roger Cutler's pictures of the trip.
Bethune Park - June 5 - I've heard you can get lost paddling in the mangroves -- and now I believe it. Even though we were never more than a few miles from Bethune Park, Mar Nezzo, Barb Plourde, Larry Gilson and J.J. O'Malley were quickly away from most sights of civilization going through the intracoastal mangroves. It was an enjoyable morning of paddling, although the water level got quite low at times. After exploring a tight trail, we came out across from the Canavaral Seashore entrance, near Turtle Mound. Once back at the park, we relaxed in the cove and got good looks at the dozen or so manatees swimming not far from our kayaks. If you've never gotten a good look at a manatee, this is definitely a play you want to paddle. Other wildlife encountered included a feeding reddish egret, American Oystercatcher, clapper rail, rufous-sided towhee and prarie warbler. Distance covered, 6.1 miles in 2:39:45. Lunch at J.B.'s Fishcamp was the perfect topper to this outing. Submitted by JJ O'Malley.
Beginning Paddling Class - June 12 - Barbara Ploude led her five students through a land and water workshop of application and execution of proper paddling. The forward, back, and sweep stroke was covered, as was why we do the things we do. Kayak safety and Coast Guard requirements were covered, and we were introduced to the self rescue exit techniques which will be covered in the phase 2 class called, Self Rescue. Look for this class to be repeated before the summer's end. Date and time to be announced on the "Fun Stuff in the Works" section of our web page. All proceeds were donated to the club. Thanks Barb. A big thank you goes out to those members who attended as safety boats and registrars: Bill Peters, Ann Arnold, Ellen Dewkett, and Mar Nezzo. Submitted by Mar Nezzo.
Canaveral National Seashore - June 13 - A beautiful day to spend a few hours on the water. Peter Mangro, Bev Skillicorn, Susan Proffitt, Roger Cutler, Ann Arnold, Jon Burket, Betty Reynolds, Forrest Buckwald and J.J. O'Malley left the Eldora launch at Canavaral National Seashore and paddled north, across a shallow bay, and then into the mangrove canoe trail. The water and winds were calm and temperatures were getting near 90. We encountered an inquisitive racoon near the water's edge in the mangroves, while a dolphin crossed in front of our boats on the way back. Birds included a roseate spoonbill flyover, 16 black skimmers making a noisy overhead pass, a mottled little blue heron halfway into its adult plumage, tri-colored heron, green herons, osprey, Carolina wren, eastern towhee, white-eyed vireo and a group of post-perching royal terns. Also a number of high-jumping mullet. Forrest thought they might be leaping into the air to escape predators (hungry kayaks?). We had two long stops, in a seculded cove and at turtle mound, where Forrest entertained with a few stories of life in the Amazon. We covered 6.25 miles in three hours and four minutes, including the two breaks. Roger took a few photos of our group in action. Submitted by J.J. O'Malley. Roger Cutler's pictures of the trip.
Pot Luck Social - June 13 - Report to follow. Roger Cutler's picture of the party...next time Roger, get in the picture.
Sandy Point "Demo Day" - June 19 - Several of us had a great time talking to many avid as well as "almost" kayakers. We gave out our new brochures and sold bumper stickers. Our new banner was hanging as people came into the Sandy Point's event. Some of us even got into the act by trying out the kayaks and talking to the manufacturer reps. I know at least three members who purchased demo kayaks at great prices! Clinics were held on safety and self rescue as well as choosing a kayak and paddle. We want to thank Sandy Point for inviting us to join them. Thank you to the many club members who showed up to enjoy the day and help out. Special thanks goes to Marsha for the pop-up awning - our only escape from the sun. Submitted by Mar Nezzo.
Alexander Springs - June 20 - Five kayaks and Ted and Ann Koziell, Bill and Barb Peters, Lew Dabe, Mar Nezzo, and Ellen Dewkett launched from Alexander Springs on a beautiful Sunday morning. The weather was hot, but the water was wonderfully cool and clear. Along the way, we saw assorted herons (great blue, little green, tricolored), egrets, ibis, and limpkin. We paddled under the watchful eyes of a very vocal hawk. We had no doubt that he was letting us know we were crossing his territory. We saw one BIG alligator swimming and another six footer lounging on a log, in addition to hearing several others as we paddled along. It's a little spooky to hear them and not know exactly where they are! Just as we returned to Alexander Springs (after paddling back upstream), we saw a pair of sleek otters swimming. Submitted by Ellen Dewkett.
Juniper Springs - June 26 - There were twelve boats and fifteen kayakers paddling down the swift current in the springs. Ellen found a boil at the launch and if she had put both feet in, we may have lost her. We were thrilled to glide down this Disneyesque water flume ride. The current caught a few of us and slid us up against the bank as we came around hair pin turns, we limboed our way under fallen trees, and enjoyed the cool, crystal clear waters. We saw a few gators, herons, egrets, and a limpkin or two. We heard an owl, but had no siting. We stopped half way down the run to snack and chat in the delightfully shaded run. We watched canoes tip over on the turns, and Bev got her own kayak baptism. Thanks to our trip leader, Steve, it was a terrific day, and we were shuttled back to our cars easily. The beautiful scenery, sandy bottom, cold clear waters, and the canopy that covers it all makes this a definite do over! Submitted by Mar Nezzo. Bev Skillicorn's pictures of the trip.
Bethune/Manatee Park - July 3 - Jenny and Ron Keeley, Norm and Betty Pesch, and Mar Nezzo paddled out with the best of intensions. We tried our best to get lost in the mangroves, but the heat kept us out in the breezy lesser channels of the intracoastal. Birds were hiding in the shade, but we saw a few heron, and the mighty osprey was present and watchful - giving us fishing lessons. We also watched the a dolphin family make their way north on a cut off of Ship Yard Channel. Men may not ask directions, but I do. No maps was a requirement for the day, so after a leisurely three and a half hour paddle I asked a fisherman, "Just where the heck are we?" We were able to check out some interesting camp sites, and we all agreed we'd be back out to use them during the cooler months. Submitted by Mar Nezzo
Silver River - July 9 - 10 members and two guests got together for a very leisurely tour of the Silver River and Silver Springs. At the turn onto Silver River, we were watched by a large water moccasin, wrapped around the base of a tree. Moments later, we saw a barred owl on a low branch near the water. Several paddlers tried to engage it in conversation, but the owl remained silent. At the springs, we broke for lunch on the water in the main cove, dodging the glass bottomed boats. On the float back, we saw a large pack of monkeys, who waded out to the water's edge when they weren't busy fighting amongst themselves. Birdwise, it was fairly quiet, with prothontary warber, acadian flycatcher and yellow-throated vireo among the calling birds. Families of wood ducks, cormorant, anhinga and three color phases of the little blue heron were among the water fowl. We had all four forms of reptiles -- the cotton moccasin for the snake family, a number of American alligators, many, many turtles -- including red-bellied, penninsula cooter and Florida softshell, and a brown anole at the dock for the lone lizard. Also, many fish, including several large gar, could be seen in the crystal clear water. Not a bad way to spend a Friday, for guests Dr. Stacy and Kelly Appleton and members Jon Burket, Susan Proffit, Peter Magro, Terri Thomas, Joan and John Barrett, Patty Darlington, Michelle Kelley, Ann Arnold and J.J. O'Malley. Submitted by J.J. O'Malley.
Click this link for more reports and photos.
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