Everglades Canoe Trip 2007
Big Wind on the Big Bay
The
day began benign enough. We made our way down eastern edge of Whitewater
Bay staying mostly behind islands and in small bays. At the entrance to
the North River we had to either turn up river or cross a mile or
two of exposed bay. We chose the latter and had our hands full for the next
hour or so. The canoe with a small keel did much better in the crosswind.
Al and I invented a new technique I dubbed "crash and turn" using the mangroves
on the shore to get our canoe turned back into the wind. We zigzagged down
the coast and thought we were mostly done with the wind for the day.
Bigger Wind on a Small Bay
The next small bay was so windy that we could not proceed. It appeared that the
wind was intensifying and the funnel-shaped bay may have made it even worse.
Al suggested that we try bushwhacking a route through the small creeks and bays
to the east. We got off the bay just in time to see a huge band of dark clouds
overtake us.
Fortunately they blew by quickly and dropped surprisingly little rain. We pulled
into the mangroves for shelter and ate a windy lunch.
Success!
The
map turned out to be reasonably accurate and we were able to sneak through the
shortcut and avoid most of the wind. We were now mostly sheltered along the northern
bank of Robert's
River. It was then a simple matter to enter the Lane
River with the wind
at our backs. We saw a six to eight foot gator along the way!
Lane Bay
Our
last night in camp was a pleasant one. The temperature was cool but not cold.
We were mostly out of the wind. The clouds were painted intense colors by the
sunset. Not a bad ending for a very intense day. »»»
Copyright 2007 by Richard Rathe, Except Where Noted
The
day began benign enough. We made our way down eastern edge of Whitewater
Bay staying mostly behind islands and in small bays. At the entrance to
the North River we had to either turn up river or cross a mile or
two of exposed bay. We chose the latter and had our hands full for the next
hour or so. The canoe with a small keel did much better in the crosswind.
Al and I invented a new technique I dubbed "crash and turn" using the mangroves
on the shore to get our canoe turned back into the wind. We zigzagged down
the coast and thought we were mostly done with the wind for the day. 
