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Chas'
Canoeing Adventure
 Hi! I'm Chas.
Within this page are pictures and stories of my canoeing and camping
adventure. Travel All alone, Roughing-it in the Wilderness, Endless
Paddling, Struggling to Survive. Does that sound like a Great Vacation
Adventure? Well that's NOT my type of an Adventure at all.
Let's Go!
 Everything
is packed. The weeks of preparation have paid off. I'm ready to hit the
road and it's only 8:30. There is only one item left to bring. The
greatest Survival Tool of them all,... my
WIFE! No amount of preparation can have
her ready to go. So
strictly in the name of Survival
I'll wait for
her.
With almost
everything packed I'm full of anticipation. So much so I'm beginning to
anger my wife. Of course I'm already angry with her. Why is she
vacuuming the carpet anyways? And where am I suppose to put all this
extra stuff she wants to bring? Another typical start to a great
Adventure
Finally she's in
the car and we're ready to go. Hang on a minute. I forgot my sunglasses.
O.K., Now We're on our way! I'm Slicing my way through the Jungle,
Speeding toward our Destination. O.K. Actually it's a concrete jungle
and I'm slicing my way through traffic. But I really am Speeding!
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Campsite |
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Selecting the right Campsite on
the River takes experience. A poor Campsite could mean an upset
Survival Tool. That's why I find it best to make Reservations at
a Campground on the River. You know, one with Hot Showers,
running water, nice Camp store where you can get Ice Cream, and
Springs to swim in. So after you pay the price of admission the
real Campsite Selection can begin.
Once we can agree on which
campsite to select... setting up the tent is the easy part. It's
always a good idea not to walk on your tent with your shoes on.
I read this in the how to instructions as I was trying to set up
the tent. It's not a good idea to walk around the campsite
barefoot, either. Where are my shoes? I'll find them later rite
now my wife wants me to check the tent. There's a big lump under
the floor.
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Canoe |
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 The
campsite is established. It's a beautiful day. I found my shoes under
the tent. Let's go Canoeing! I place the paddles and PFDs in the
canoe. We're all set! "Is that thunder?", my wife ask. I reckon we'll
have to wait. The river gods must be angry.
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A Peaceful Paddle down a Pristine Florida River
can be quite an Amazing Experience. On the other Blistered hand it can
be a lot of effort and let's face it this Adventure is about having
fun. That's why I put an Outboard Paddle on my Canoe. Some people call
them Outboard Motors but I like to refer to Mine as a paddle. Once
some Canoe Paddlers said I was Cheating. I told them to Drink my Wake
as I passed. |
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Tubing |
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Before we go tubing I have to inflate
the tubes. O.k. The inner tube as evolved into a floating lazy boy
type recliner. A lot more comfortable than sticking your butt through a
hole in the water, but... It takes a lot of air to inflate them.
Fortunately,
the campground has an Air Station.
Tubing down the river is a relaxing
experience. Walking back to the campsite is not. Staying true to my
nature I decided to use the canoe anchor to anchor the float. Now when
I'm done floating I'm already at the campsite. |
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Campfire |
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 Gathering
fire wood is essential. A few tools are required. Of course the main
survival tool is always by my side but the search for firewood requires
a special tool I keep on my key ring. Actually it is a key. Driving
around the campground collecting firewood from previous campers is the
best way to do it! |
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Nice Campfire. All this work is making me
hungry.
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Dinner |
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Nothing taste like outdoor cooking. You
can almost smell the bacon. Of course this is the breakfast menu.
Dinner is what I'm after now. It should only take about 30 minutes and
I'll be munching.
Lets
Eat!
Scroll
d
o
w
n
 Dinner
took a little longer that I expected as the drive to McDonalds was quite
long, but it was well worth
it.
Nothing taste like
Junk Food.
Especially when your roughing it
like I have been.
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