Because the route is generally within view, it’s hard to get lost in a kayak. On a lake, a river or in the ocean -there’s always a landmark or watery path to guide the paddler. While surprise thunderstorms and hail can be problematic (yet another story), to actually lose one’s way seems almost impossible. But it can be done.
When we paddled out from Islamorada last month, we had two destinations. The second one was visible to the northeast under and beyond the Overseas Highway: Indian Key State Park. First however, we planned to explore the extensive mangroves to the southwest of our launch point. Slathered with sunscreen, armed with an old map (the rental shop had run out of the updated ones) and prepared to make a day of it with drinks and a picnic lunch, we launched.
Stingrays, horseshoe crabs and schools of fish darted freely beneath us in clear cyan blue water. Sea birds perched on weathered posts, and mangrove shoots dotted the placid surface. We rechecked the map frequently to be sure we didn’t overshoot the entry points for the water trails and aimed carefully for an orange trail on the furthest western side of the mangrove map.
After a few false turns (which were just as fascinating and enjoyable as the correct ones), we found what had to be our orange trail. It looked a little too easy though. No overhead canopy, no leaning in or ducking down to avoid entanglement with branches and vines. We couldn’t see fish anymore either as the water appeared to have dramatically deepened. We looked at the map again and could finally make out that the orange trail was actually blurred words: DO NO(T) ENT(ER)…. There were more blurred indecipherable words, but by 
then as double deck ocean cruisers approached from both sides, abruptly cutting their motors to chug on by our diminutive kayaks, we figured out that we’d wandered into a boat channel. None of the boaters said a word. But we got the message and quickly pulled ourselves back into the twisting mangroves just as the fourth boat cranked up its speed to make up for lost time. Embarrassing? A little. Funny? Uh huh.
Painstakingly aiming for that orange trail only to find it was the one place forbidden to us -and our subsequent scramble to find a safe passable route into the mangrove jungle again… it was all pretty comical in a slapstick sort of way. I suspect it to be another one of those unexpected “Mom got lost” adventures that will generate a good laugh amongst us for years to come.
More album photos at Heather Dugan Creative on Facebook and on Google+
Updated from April 11, 2011.
Heather,
Great story about your “off-course” adventure! I love the photo of the mangroves … looks like you were in a huge tunnel. Were you able to take photos of the stingrays and horseshoe crabs along the way? (Did they know you were lost?
And I was so proud of following the map! Sliding through those mangroves often is like traveling a series of tunnels. I tried to ignore the possibilities of critters dropping down from the branches overhead!
Took a marginally successful photo of the crabs, but the rays were too fast this time. It’s much easier to photograph them from in the water.
This is a great adventure! Your zodiac sign must be aries. I wish I can do this as well together with my family or my friends so that I have my own story to tell. Tell me more of your ventures on your next post. Thanks.
Thanks for the visit Ann! There will be more about this kayak trip very soon. We also paddled to Indian Key and had a lot of fun exploring that island.
Heather, thanks for the visit and the comment. I’ve been away from actively blogging for a bit but I still enjoy stopping by and seeing your lovely photos. I spent some time in London and Paris this summer. Couldn’t help but notice your photo…. Did I miss you at the Louvre?
Hoping all is well on your end.
Intrepid!!! I’m just happy to know you’re still out and about trotting this big beautiful globe. Dang! I thought I spied you behind Venus de Milo but I blinked and you were gone ; )
Loved Paris! Got to spend some time in Spain (and vicinity) as well this past summer. Wonderful times. Please keep in touch!