Posted by Ed Kiser on May 10, 2005 at 00:45:04 from 64.12.116.6 user Kisered.
In Reply to: Re: roves was Re: AR evangelicals? posted by John Nichols on May 09, 2005 at 20:12:22:
John -
Do a search on "intercoastal waterway" and find there several entries that give all kinds of suggestions and recommendations about the trip down from the Chesapeake Bay down through Miami to the Keys. Consider making the trip by boat, and not by just hauling a trailer. Try turning this trip into quite an adventure, by water.
Be aware that in this neighborhood, there are two seas - one is the Atlantic, and the other is the "Sea of Grass" , the Everglades. As for that swamp, if you KNOW where you are going, it can be managed by sail, but much of it is too shallow for centreboards. That is why the usual vessel in the Everglades is the AIR BOAT which is a flat very shallow draft float with an aircraft engine on the rear pushing the whole thing with the aircraft propeller. Rather noisy, but nothing sticks down into the water to get into trouble with the shallows. It can skim over wet grass. A few inches of water is ideal. Also seems to manage sliding over the backs of any 14 foot lizards one may encounter just below the surface. Don't plan on any wading, for obvious reasons, as the locals inhabitants can present strong objections. These are not only those big lizards, but also those wiggly things that have no leg to stand on. Don't even DANGLE you hand in the water. Gee, it all sounds like such fun.
Now cruising the intercoastal waterway can be a bit like sailing the Broads, USA style.
However you get here, I would love to see you. Maybe this time we can argue out that floorplan of Beckfoot to an agreeable conclusion.
Should I practice up on my Texas accent? Of course if you have been there long enough, you come to understand that there is no such thing, that it is everybody else that talks funny.
Hope you enjoy the Hurricane season as such can be really fun in a sailboat. Never mind reefing; try bare pole.
Try to avoid sailing while being four sheets to the wind.
With or without any boat - I would love to get to meet you.
And that goes for you other TARBOARD members. After a while, I feel I have a lot of friends that unfortunately, I have never met.
Ed Kiser, South Florida