Here we go! We are doing Something We Will Never Forget.

​We are actually doing it. Paddling from St. Augustine to Palm Beach to honor our parents and raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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The morning of October 13, 2018 was an exciting day for us. We had talked about doing this for almost a year, and there we were, joined by 13 amazing people putting paddleboards in water, launching on our journey called Something I Will Never Forget.

The weather was perfect. A little chill in the air at 68 degrees. The coolest morning of the year.  We paddled out of the channel at Vilano Boat Ramp with the sunrise on the horizon. We grabbed the incoming current and coasted through Hospital Creek, around Bird Island and into the Intracoastal Waterway past the Castillo de San Marcos.

It did not take long for the air to warm up, and as some of us found out almost immediately, the water was warm and the incoming tidal current was perfect for a southbound paddle. 

https://www.facebook.com/barbara.h.golden.10/videos/10205694940930191/?t=48

We paddled under the 312 Bridge and took a break at Douglas Crane Park in St. Augustine south before continuing south to S.R. 206 at the base of the bridge where we ended the day’s paddle.

https://www.facebook.com/pattymcgovernscott/videos/10212066332166245/

Around noon, we spotted a pod of dolphin feeding on a school of fish along the marsh edge.   Just one of the many memorable and exciting sites Mother Nature gives us to cherish and remember.

On Saturday, October 14, we had even more paddlers join us as we continued our paddle from S.R. 206 at Crescent Beach to Bing’s Landing in Palm Coast. The day was hot, the water was gorgeous and the fish were jumping.
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The paddle was a little harder, but much slower. Patti and Roger, the pace setters from the previous day’s paddle were not with us, so at times some of us got a little tired and needed a tow.

Unfortunately, none of us had our camera ready when the giant eagle ray jumped out of the water right in front of the group of paddlers.  We did get to laugh over it the rest of the day.  

All along the paddle, Francine and Ed Francis of Fort McCoy, Florida escorted the group with their Pontoon Boat, making sure we were safe and keeping us hydrated with drinking water and delivering our delicious sandwiches donated by Carmelo’s Marketplace  and ice cream sandwiches donated by Peace Pies Yummy!  

Ed and Francine not only donated their boat and time to our cause, they cheered us on both days and plan to be with us for the entire journey.  Their grandson Noah has joined on as crew and cheerleader.  We really do not think we would be able to accomplish this without their generous support.
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We are so grateful for the help and support from all our sponsors that are making this possible.  It is enabling us to contribute the paddle participant registration fees to the Alzheimer’s Association in support of their work to educate and work toward the end of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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On October 13 & 14, we paddled a total of 25 miles.

We will post more about the October 27 & 28 paddle later this week about this leg that added another 15 miles to our check-off list ,  a total of 40 miles paddled s far. 198 miles to go!

Please plan to join us for our November 10 & 11 paddles From Gamble Rogers State Park to Daytona Beach.