I am partnering with NRDC to paddle my outrigger canoe 1200 miles around Florida and west to New Orleans. My goal is to build support for a Healthy Oceans Act and steps to protect our oceans from global warming and ocean acidification. For those who do not know, I paddle to inform and for those who don't care, I paddle to inspire. I am documenting my journey on this blog during the month-long paddle. You can read more about the paddle, see photos, and take action here. You can also check out my personal website with information about this and other adventures here.

The East wind was mostly at my back on the outside run from Bonita Springs to Sanibel Island.  I surfed little wind swells from Estero Island almost all the way to the big bridge that connects the island to the mainland. The wind was my friend yesterday, except for some bouts along the East side of Pineland Island.   Here I had to take a NE direction to make my way through the inland water.  It was a much longer paddle than I had anticipated.

On my trip I use a variety of navigational aides; compass, GPS, and charts.  These charts come in varying scales.  Some show large areas with a bit of detail and other charts cover small areas with great detail.  The differences between the two along with the difference in my speed that day can totally through me off.  For figuring distances I use Google Earth but distances can vary greatly depending on if I choose an inside or outside route. You need to take all this into consideration if you are expecting to make a certain distance in a certain amount of time.  (I wrote about this in my earlier "navigation" blog).
 
Yesterday, I picked a route based on water depth and wind and totally forgot that I was using a smaller scaled map. I also wasn't thinking about tides, which meant I'd have more water where I didn't think I would. In the end I paddled 51 miles instead of the 38 I could have. Oops. Well, it was a good work-out and I saw a lot of wildlife.  The pelicans were particularly photogenic. 
 
Today the wind is supposed to blow 25-30 out of the East, and I have a large body of water to cross. For scenery's sake, I'm going to duck up the inland water way.   It'll be chewy paddling but it should be pretty trip.