We faced a big open mud flat again this morning. We took many trips out to the water's edge, hauling one boat at a time to the water's edge, and then several trips with the IKEA bags stuffed with gear. Over an hour later, we were ready to launch (and already tired from the slog). Have I mentioned that we have too much stuff?
We set out and take forever to find deep water. Check that; we do not find deep water.
It took forever to find water more than six inches deep. We'd head straight out until we reached a foot of water and then start to point south on the journey only to end up back in shallows and point out again. Later we learned there was a small creek channel to the south that we could have followed, but we did not see.
By the time we really got underway, it was noon. So how far will we make it today? We are quite behind schedule, so plan to skip past Suwannee and get to Shell Mound campsite. But we have not had cell phone coverage or internet for many days, so do want to check for any important messages. We decide to paddle to Cat Island for lunch and to check for a signal. If we cannot get a signal, we will head into Suwannee, otherwise we will keep going. We have a good tailwind and can make good time.
Cat Island is a idealic location, with palmetto and pine trees and sandy beach. We pull around to the lee side and sit on a log while we stare out into the gulf.
There is a marginal cell phone signal (one bar comes and goes) so we see a the comment from folks in Suwannee expecting us yesterday. We quickly surmise that Liz passed the word that we were coming. We cannot get a reliable enough connection for a phone call, and email is spotty, so we do not have contact info. Fran kicks off a text message to Liz saying that we are okay though a day late due to wind, and asking for contact info for the folks in Suwannee.
We talk over the options of pushing for miles, or meeting some new people. We opt for people, and start paddling up Salt Creek to the town of Suwannee, unsure if we will actually be able to meet up with them.
When we pass the Salt Creek Restaurant and are looking around for the kayak launch, we hear a voice across the water "is your name Hoag?". We turn back and meet Carol and Leroy, the folks who posted the comment. Apparently she also sent emails and left phone messages but we did not get those. Carol was quite concerned that we didn't arrive yesterday, so they had just driven up to Shired Campground to see if she could find us. Once there, she learned that we had left earlier so they began a fast drive back to Suwannee. They had literally just driven up and ran around the restaurant to catch us. It was pretty amazing that we met up - barely a cell signal at a Cat Island got through, and barely a meeting at the restaurant dock. And it turns out we are very glad we did meet up!
Carol is full of stories about the area and an incredibly generous host. She puts us up at her vacation home, and takes us out to dinner. Hot showers! Laundry! A warm bed! But even more, we get to hear the stories of the area over dinner. We can also tell that Leroy is a fascinating person with zillions of stories of his own. Hopefully we will get to hear his stories over breakfast with him in the morning. We are finding that we really are enjoying that part. Similarly we learned a lot about Steinhatcheee from Tim, and also reading in the guidebook and other places. Maybe we will get those posted someday? You can read much of them in the December issue of Canoe and Kayak magazine.
Wonderful people. Hey, we are blowing the itinerary away but we are on the best adventure. All is good.
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