From the Nose of Our Kayak Chapter 20

Janet & Don Beasley

Welcome back! We've returned and are ready to bring you more awesome chapters to our FREE blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." So let's get started and pick back up where we left off....

...Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives.

We began the series on June 1, 2016.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak

Don & Janet Beasley

Chapter 20: A Beautiful Day...What Can We Say

The reason you either live or travel to Michigan's U.P. is to experience days such as these. The sky was bluer than any we'd ever seen, the cloud formations were unique, and the wildlife was plenty. 

We launched our kayak into the Tahquamenon River once again. We took our time flowing downriver, paddling only when we wanted to as we wanted the day to last forever. 

Our first glance from the nose of our kayak on the river was awesome. The water had no ripples...it was actually a mirror.

The brackish water was clear, and the sights beneath its crystal top were as beautiful as the sky. The vegetation laid in the direction of the water's flow. Lilly pads came into view and we stopped to gaze upon their serenity. 

As we coasted a bit farther down river we began to see flocks of one of our favorite birds, cedar waxwings. Something about their striking appearance, perched among the red berries of the ash trees, against the blue sky.  

The cedar waxwings were flying in and out of the trees above. The air was thick with these amazing winged creatures. 

Cedar waxwings are plentiful year around in Michigan's U.P. Their diet consists of berries that the either perch, pick and swallow whole, or snag as they hover, fluttering in flight. Their coloring is distinct, and a treat for any birder when they spot them through their binoculars. The are a tannish color with vibrant outlines in black, yellow, and red. Their tufted crests are similar to that of a cardinal's. The black "mask" across their eyes gives them away at a closer glance. They normally flock, and will nest in woodland areas. 

Next up we came across teal wing ducks. Floating quietly down a river has its advantages as we came upon a flock of ducks swimming their way across the river. One, most likely papa duck, brought up the rear and we were able to snap a shot of him and his brilliant coloring on his wing.

Once the ducks had made their way across we looked up, only to find a sky filled with clouds that change shapes in a hurry. We kept snapping the camera to capture all of the wondrous shapes and patterns that continued to change with every bend in the river. HINT: We've added all of our cloud photos below.

After the clouds came a turtle...resting like none we'd ever seen! As we zoomed in with the camera we soon realized he was balancing on his under-shell atop a piece of wood protruding from the water.

The day lingered, but not nearly long enough for us. But the good news is, we made it back to the dock before dark, and were able to load up with ease. 

On the way home we were even graced with a beautiful sunset that showed-off some rain clouds we couldn't believe even existed on that awesome day.

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Kayak Tip of the Week: Always keep a pair of binoculars in your dry bag. You never know what you may find in the distance that deserves a closer look. 

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"From the Nose of Our Kayak" will return November 16, 2016...

Hello fans of our free blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Just a friendly reminder...JLB Creatives and its divisions are entering a busy fall season and will be taking a break from their Wednesday blog posts.

But not to worry..."From the Nose of Our Kayak" will return NEXT WEDNESDAY November 16, 2016. with Chapter 20.

If you're new to the blog and are interested in reading our #FREE blog book, "From the Nose of a Kayak," Chapter 1 can be found in our archives starting in June 2016. 

Monday and Friday posts will continue on the blog so be sure and stop back to catch our latest excerpts and writing tips! 

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 14 "Look Out Panhandle Here We Come!"

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 14: Look Out Panhandle Here We Come!

To celebrate our 30 year anniversary we headed for the panhandle of Florida...the Apalachicola area to be exact. We wanted to visit some long time friends plus do some kayaking in yet another area of Florida that was "virgin" to us. 

Along the way we stopped for some lunch. Seafood was calling our name...something it always does when we're on the gulf coast. When we came upon the town of Freeport we started looking for a local diner. Sure enough we spotted one that suited our fancy. There were plenty of cars in the parking lot.

I have to say that Oyster Po Boy Sandwich was out of this world! The oysters were heaped on in quite the fashion, and the bun was so good and soft, and the tartar sauce - lettuce  - and tomato capped it off.

Don enjoyed a plate of fried shrimp that were absolutely to die for. And in addition to the outstanding food, the service was ever so friendly, fast, and spot on. We made sure we left enough time on the way home to stop in one more time.

Once we arrived at our destination, The Gibson Inn (above), and were greeted with some awesome southern hospitality. Our room was nothing shy of stellar.

We got settled in, all of the luggage and snacks were unpacked and it was time to start exploring, looking for some great places to kayak.

First we stopped at a sharky kind of place. C'mon...you know these kinds of places make you laugh, and are always a blast to shop!

Luckily we escaped the dangers of the giant shark and headed on toward some state parks.

There were many other cool sights to behold. The boat docks filled with vessels of every size, sea-worthy displays, lighthouses, beaches, and so much more! 

The weather was not cooperating for kayaking (until the day we left of course! LOL!). Storms had moved in, and left us not wanting to be on the water. So we spent a couple of days visiting St. George Island and State Park, St. Joseph State Park, St. Vincent's State Park, and St. Mark's NWR to scout out the area. 

Believe it or not, sometimes bad weather can lend itself to being your friend, as long as you respect it. 

How can you tell when it's safe or not safe to be on the water in Florida? There are a few quick ways to get an idea. 

Obviously if the sky is getting dark in any direction that's a good sign there's going to be a storm. To be safe check your weather radar. Set the radar in motion if you can to get an idea of how fast and in what direction it is moving.  

Sometimes you may be deep in the woods and not able to see the sky. If that's the case, use your ears. Listen for thunder or "brewing" winds rushing through the leaves. If the wind is kicking up, even on the river, there's a good chance inclement weather is heading your way. 

If you think you saw a flash...if you're in Florida, you probably did. Always take lightning seriously no matter how far away you think it is. If you can't make it back to the dock before the storm reaches you and your kayak, head for the shore...get off of the water immediately and seek shelter. You can even use your kayak for such by sitting on the ground and holding it up over your head. Don't hang on to a tree...they are prime targets for lightning. If time allows you to get your kayak at least back to your dock to your vehicle, you can always leave the kayak out in the rain and lightning while you seek shelter in your vehicle. Kayaks are used to getting wet. Turn it upside down so it doesn't fill with water that you would have to "bail out" later.

Your goals when you are kayaking should be to have fun and stay safe all at the same time. A weather app on your phone is yet another good tool to have on hand. 

The best place we decided for us to kayak would be St. George Island. It was a "prairie" kind of paddle. We were used to the rivers of central Florida...not the open style water with no shade. But it ended up being another awesome adventure in the yak. We paddled for several hours, enjoying the new sights, and paying close attention to the weather. We began to hear the booming in the background and knew it was time to exit the water.

We headed to get some dinner, and found a couple of really cool places to stop and photograph Mother Nature working overtime. The sunset along with the clearing storm late that evening made for some of our best sunset shots to this day!

We plan on returning to the area some day in the fall or spring. Summer can be quite rainy in Florida...and also very hot on the water.

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Kayak Tip of the Week: If weather is not cooperating, don't get discouraged, use the opportunity to your advantage for when the storm clears. 

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Below are some shots from our launching point...

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 13 "Dreams"

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 13: Dreams

This week Don and I invite you to dream with us, to dream about the places you'd love to experience from the nose of your kayak. But be forewarned...once you start dreaming, it's hard to stop! 

The sky's the limit when it comes to adventure. Now days, Don and I prefer kayaking the smooth calm waters rather than white water. In our younger years we did a bit of white water rafting and thoroughly enjoyed it. If we would have taken up kayaking in our 20's we would probably have been Eskimo rolling our way down big white water, sailing through class 5+ rapids, going over falls, and spending our days in wet suits while camping and feasting on s'mores.

But just because we are approaching retirement age, and like to take life a bit easier these days, that doesn't mean we don't like to dream. Below is a selection of some of our favorite kayaking videos we enjoy watching and dreaming about the places we would love to kayak.

Some of our dreams are to kayak with the whales, navigate through the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin, kayak around the entire perimeter of Lake Superior (in the summer...on calm days only...with no bears...so may never happen! LOL!), discover New Zealand's and Ireland's shores, and the biggest dream that could ever come true for us both would be to see and photograph a moose...you guessed it...From the Nose of Our Kayak. What are your kayaking dreams? 

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Kayak Tip of the Week: Dare to dream...live your level of adventure...and introduce someone you know to the wonderful world of kayaking.

  

From the Nose of Our Kayak:Chapter 8 Discovering Wekiva River Rock Springs Run

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 8 Discovering Wekiva River Rock Springs Run

As hard as it was to leave our brand new kayak and actual kayak-wheel-thingy in Michigan until next summer, we decided to do so in case we would want to fly instead of drive. So it was back home to our new-old mean-greenie kayak...thank goodness it was home waiting for us.

After we got home, the locals found out we loved kayaking Silver River so much, they suggested we give Rock Springs Run a try. When they said it was only about 8 miles from our house there was no reason not to try it. Silver River is about 75 miles away (but worth it every time nonetheless). Rentals are available at both King's Landing and Wekiva Landing, but we use our own kayak. 

To launch onto the Rock Springs Run from King's Landing (or Wekiva Island) there is a fee. Launching from King's Landing (and if you're only going down river) you'll have to coordinate your time with the launch site's pick up time(s), or use two vehicles - one at the ending point to transport the kayak back to your starting point and pick up your other vehicle. If you're renting a kayak from King's Landing and going all the way down to Wekiva Island (approximately 8.5 miles) all you have to do is be at the pick up point at the designated time so you don't get stranded.

Our first trip down Rock Springs Run to the Wekiva River took place November 2, 2010. 

We began at King's Landing (near the top left of the first Google map below). On this inaugural run we connected to the Wekiva River and turned left, away from the actual springs (intersection of Rock Springs Run and Wekiva River is at the bottom right of second Google map below) to reach our pick-up point of Wekiva Island - and we made it in plenty of time to not miss the shuttle ride back up to King's Landing.

The meaning of Wekiva (sometimes spelled Wekiwa) is "spring of water." The Wekiva River is located in central Florida. It is 16 miles long beginning in Apopka, Florida and joins with the St. Johns River in DeBary, Florida. The Wekiva is is longest river in the state, so there is plenty of nature scenery to take in on this beautiful waterway.

We immediately fell in love with Rock Springs Run's "intimacy." Paddling this winding gem of nature puts you within only a few feet of flora and terrain at times. 

Compared to Silver River, Rock Springs Run is very narrow, winding, and shallow with many obstacles (sometimes calling for intermediate to advanced maneuvering skills). We highly suggest that you have been kayaking for a while before you venture on the full run from King's Landing to the Wekiva River, or go with someone who is familiar with the river and can help you.

We were more so concerned about navigating this trip, we didn't take a lot of time to photograph the scenic delight, but we were able to snap a few captivating shots on this first trip.

Little Egret: known by its black, slender bill
Feeds on a variety of small creatures found both in the water and on the shore

Little Blue Heron: known by it bluish-grey color
Feeds on fish, frogs, crustaceans, small rodents, and insects

Green Heron: known by its brown-green colors
Feeds on fish - sometimes using small sticks or insects as "bait" to lure the fish closer

Eastern Phoebe (also called a flycatcher): known by its song "phoebe"
Feeds on insects, and will favor fruits and berries in cooler weather

Osprey (sometimes referred to as fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk: known for its
rich dark brown wings and tail, and grey-ish head.
Feeds on fish: Its talons make it a marvelous fishing raptor

Needless to say, we wanted to return to the Rock Springs Run with two vehicles so we could take our time and not feel hurried to get to "the finish line." The nature and scenery are simply stunning, all of which you will see as you journey and discover with us From the Nose of Our Kayak. 

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Kayak Tip of the Week: When approaching an overhang, judge wisely. Never try to go under an obstacle, such as a downed limb, if there is a suitable "escape" route to the left or right. Sometimes, portaging is your only solution whether in the shallow water, or moving to the dry land and carrying your kayak around the obstacle.

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 3 Monkeys...Really?

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, From the Nose of Our Kayak. JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 


Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives, we began the series on June 1, 2016.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak 
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 3 Monkeys...Really?

Silver River's beauty never leaves you wanting, but this particular outing left us wanting...to go back time and time again! We began to realize, you never know what you're going to see on the shoreline, beneath the water, on the water, in the woods, high in the trees, or even higher in the sky.

View of Silver River in mid October 2009
from the nose of our kayak

The deer drag had worked like a charm and we had portaged to the launch area in no time. We excitedly launched the kayak at Silver River State Park for the second time. We knew we had 2-1/2 miles to paddle up river before we could coast back down on the river's gentle current to the launch area. At the time, 2-1/2 miles paddling up stream was quite the undertaking for us beginners. 

We cleared the markers and were deep within nature in seconds. Ahhhhh...peace and serenity at last.

Before we could even get to the first bend a green heron greeted us in the marshy terrain near the shoreline. His glossy green, well-outlined feathers, and chocolate coloring around the neck are what caught our eye. His large non-webbed feet gave him the balance he needed whether on a branch or walking across the mossy top of the water. Thrilled beyond belief, Don stopped the kayak, and I snapped a few shots as this was a first sighting for us to add to our birding list. 

Green heron from the nose of our kayak

The scientific name for a green heron is butorides virescens. The word butorides is from Middle English - butor "bittern," and

Ancient Greek - oides, "resembling." The word virescens is Latin for "greenish." 

They are  a smaller water fowl, but impressive nonetheless. They can quickly change from a short stubby appearance to a long-necked stately sight. 

Just past the green heron a great blue heron stood poised, ready to pierce its unsuspecting lunch. 

The proper name for the great blue heron is ardea herodias. Ardea is Latin for heron. Herodias was a princess of the Herodian Dynasty of Judaea during the time of the Roman Empire. So you

Great blue heron
from the nose of our kayak

could say this bird has a "royal" appearance. To Don and I, they are magnificent no matter how many times we see them.

As if that weren't enough eye candy within a very short period of time, we spotted an anhinga perched high above. 

Being it was October, the sky was as blue as the top of our kayak, and the leaves were somewhat starting to dwindle, so it made for an easy sighting. 

Anhinga drying its wings above our kayak

Anhingas are diving birds, and are known by many names including snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey. When their swimming is done, they perch on branches, stumps, or logs and spread their wings to dry. Males are black and white, females boast a brownish neck. Their distinct "ow waa waa waa" grunting sound is strangely unique.

We have to admit, the first time we saw an alligator it was a bit intimidating from the low angle of the kayak. But we soon learned that if, you keep your distance, don't antagonize or feed them, and for heaven's sake don't kayak with raw chicken in your boat, you're probably going to glide right past them unnoticed. We've had a few encounters that have startled us (no immediate danger), and have learned how to keep a watchful eye at all times for these prehistoric beasts...on any fresh water we kayak in Florida.  

Florida alligator from the nose of our kayak

As the shadows began to lengthen we found ourselves looking for monkeys. Monkeys...Really? Yes, believe it or not, there are monkeys in central Florida. 

How did we know to look for monkeys on Silver River? Silver Springs amusement park has always been known for its glass bottom boat rides, and monkeys. But how did the monkeys get there? There are rumors. One rumor is that the monkeys were released after the filming of the 1939 movie Tarzan Finds a Son. Another rumor says that in the early 20th century a river boat pilot purchased the monkeys to bring in tourism. He put them on an island not knowing they were swimmers, so the fury critters spread throughout the area. Regardless of the rumors, the monkeys are here but they're not native to the area according to wildlife experts (who are not fond of them for ecological reasons). But that doesn't seem to douse the thrill of seeing the monkeys as you're paddling up or down this pristine river. 

First monkey we ever saw
from the nose of our kayak

Feeding the monkeys is prohibited, and for good reason. They should not become "comfortable" with human interaction, but rather remain curious from a distance. They can become mean, jump in your watercraft after more food, bite you, or if you're enjoying a trip up or down the river with your pet it too can be in danger from being attacked by the monkeys. We enjoy watching them from a safe distance, and using our zoom lens to photograph the adorable, yet menacing, creatures. Don and I actually have sat and watch them for hours sometimes.

Needless to say, we left Silver River that day wanting...but only wanting more surprises on the same river, and could not wait for our next day off!

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Kayak nature viewing tip: When you're kayaking through nature, remember that you are the foreigner. Respect what nature allows you to see.