An expedition is a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose. There is no distance or time restriction to an expedition. So, one could argue that a day-paddle or day-hike could be an expedition if it was undertaken for a specific purpose. Sometimes we tend to focus just on the water; the reality is water is the tie that binds us and the confusion is what vehicle you use to find your happy place. Wind power, to human power, to engine power, the choices are as bountiful and beautiful as the stars in the Milky Way. “The best type of kayak is the one that fits the water, fits the body and fits the purpose of why the paddler is on the water” March 1, 2011

Kayak camping is like backpacking just without the knee pain.

Presently Sean and I are working on the logistics of a thirty day “mid life crises” expedition. We are keeping the details secret due to the uniqueness of this adventure. And there are ever changing factors that we need to deal with. The timelessness and forward thinking aspects of our “mid life crises” kayak expedition will broaden the imagination of future generations of young adventurers, explorers, and scientists. — Jeff 2024

Posts that will help inspire you to create your own kayaking adventure.

Everyone in your group will bring something different to the kayak expedition experience. That might be leadership on the river, cooking skills, even a sense of humor can be an asset. The group should ideally all be around the same ability level too, so you can all take care of each other.

If you are managing the trip solo, you may need to work with a local or a professional guide to organize permits.

Skill Training: does everyone in the group have paddling and safety skills suitable for the grades of water you will be undertaking?

Five traps to avoid to stay safe: Familiarity, Commitment, Expert Halo, Conformity, Scarcity.  https://liquidrhythmkayaking.com/2009/05/10/paddlers-sometimes-take-avoidable-risks/

Pack the right equipment: You will need all your standard safety gear and first aid items:
• Do you need any special medications?
• Will you need cooking equipment?
• Will you need camping equipment?
• Will you need to carry water purification tablets or a filter?
• Will you need spare clothing?
• How will you keep everything dry?
• Will you need a satellite phone or GPS beacon for emergencies?
• Who has copies of your FLOAT Plan?

2011

The last two weeks in September of 2011 Sean and I experienced 190 miles of The Calusa Blue Ways Trail.  The trip truly highlighted why we live in Florida. We started at the Caloosahatchee Regional Park near Alva. It was convenient to make camp there in the afternoon to have a fresh start for our first day of paddling on the 19th.  There are several tributaries along Caloosahatchee so we explored most of them.  Then moving from the mouth of the river for the route north to Matlacha- and stayed there 1 night at the Sun & Moon Inn.  After some fun in Matlacha we paddled north towards Charlotte Harbor Park. From there we took a southwest heading over to Bokeelia/ Back Bay/ Jugg Creek area.  Leaving there we plotted a heading over to Cayo Costa for two nights.  Paddling through Pine Island Sound and towards J.N. Ding Darling Preserve.  From there it was an adventure to San Carlos Bay and over towards Estero Bay Preserve State Park. We went up the Estero River to Koreshan for two nights.  Of course we maked time for pictures & exploring on Mound Key! We then headed towards the mouth of the Imperial River & finished our trip at the Imperial River boat ramp.  This is just a rough description of the paddling trail.  Durring the expedition we went with the flow to  keep us from feeling so rushed.  It is never a race through mileage for being outside we want to soak up every opportunity and not miss anything thing.

Archive link for the ‘Calusa Blueway Expedition’

• Cayo Costa
• J.N. Ding Darling Preserve & Tarpon Bay
• Estero Bay Preserve
• Jugg Creek Area
• Captiva & Sanibel
• Cabbage Key
• Telegraph Creek

2009

We paddled 100 miles of the Suwannee River in north Florida durring New Years to enjoy the sprit of the river’s history.  It is a river that was home to several native american tribes. That evolved into a transportation highway for the Madison steamboat ferring people to the health resort at White Springs. And the Suwannee became the subject of a song that many people can hum the tune.

• Day One –  Woods Ferry Rivercamp
• Day Two –  Holton Creek Rivercamp
• Day Three –  Dowling Park Rivercamp
• Day Four –  Peacock Slough Rivercamp
• Day Five – Adams Tract Rivercamp

Link for ‘Suwannee River’

2008/2009

90 miles in the Fla. Keys between 2 trips

Archive for the ‘FL Keys Expedition’

2007

In the spring of 2007 Tod Saley left the cool waters of Michigan to circumnavigate 100 miles around Pinellas County with Jeff and Sean to raise funds for the 2007 Extremity Games by College Park.

“‘Topa Honu–Kayak for a Cause’ was a great success,” said marketing manager for College Park and the Extremity Games. Four-time national surfing champion Sean Fitzgibbon and teammates Jeff Fabiszewski and Todd Salley kayaked the distance in four days, May 3-6, averaging 25 miles per day. “Along the way, they encountered dolphins, sea turtles, and sharks,” said Geno.

Fitzgibbon along with hundreds of other athletes with disabilities will be competing in the Extremity Games July 18-21 in Orlando, Florida. Events include BMX/mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, skateboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, and Moto-X. Cash prizes will be awarded.