Everglades Canoe Trip 
February
2006
Day 4
Return
The
wind shifted abruptly 180° during the night, so we had to get
out and tie down the tent on the opposite side. By morning it
was noticeably colder with a brisk north wind. We ate the last
of the cereal and dried fruit for breakfast.
Home
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
By
a strange coincidence the canoe swamped during the night. We had
it tied fore and aft so it could not drift under the chickee and
get crushed (as it did in 2003!).
But with the wind shift it must have been tipped just enough to fill
with water as the tide peaked. It was simple enough to flip and
pull it up on the chickee to drain the water out. Next time I'll
consider sinking it prophylactically before I go to bed! <wink>
We
made good progress in spite of the headwind by paddling through a
series of small creeks and bays over to the Turner River. We
caught the last bit of the outgoing tide down to Chokoloskee.
We then headed up the canal behind the causeway to avoid the
wind and waves. It was passable even at low tide, with only one shallow
spot we had to walk the canoe over. We returned to the mud flats
where we had begun with gray skies and freezing temperatures on
the way. Perfect timing!!