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.

Wow! The Florida legislature is waking up. Coral reef protection legislation and an attempt at land conservation passed--amazing news, and thanks to the many groups fighting the good fight who refuse to give up in the endless battle against the huge moneyed interests that would put a condo on ever corner if they could. Really, it only makes sense.

Why come to Florida to enjoy the beaches and coastal areas if they are degraded beyond belief because of runoff and inadequate sewer treatment plants? That's about as crazy as allowing certain interests to continue to foul a river as well as the section of the Gulf where that river dumps out.

Okay then. Back to the shortest paddle of the trip.  I took a short-cut up the Salt River, which some nice people towing a floating dock behind them lead me to, and that I had heard about the day before from from a very nice fisherman. Fortunately for me, it was fairly well marked, and when it wasn't a boat would happen to appear right at the right bend when the markers did disappear. This shortened my paddle to something less than 15 miles. It tacks on about seven to today's paddle from the hotel, but it was worth it for the incredibly scenic short day.

One of the many benefits of getting done early was that Emily, an amazing woman I just met and fellow lover of the waterways, has arranged a kayak tour for me with Morgan of Crystal River Kayak Company. Both the Crystal River and the Homosassa Rivers are spring fed rivers. Prior to the development in the area, the area where I have my boat currently docked used to be crystal clear. Now it is not, and it is clogged with weeds and algae. The last thing this river needs, and the Gulf it flows into, is more run off and more development.

After Dave, Morgan's partner in the business, donated a belt to me to keep my pants from falling down, Morgan guided Emily and me to the "Three Sisters." These are three huge springs that supply an unbelievable amount of water to the Crystal River. Right now they, and the aquifer that feeds them, and the River, and consequently the Gulf, are under threat by a proposed 200 unit condo the owner wants to build there. Hopefully the new land conservation legislation in the Florida will help the owner do the right thing and sell instead to the land conservation group that would love to buy it. I've never seen freshwater springs like that. Not only do they have a  very special role to play in the health of the river, but they are amazingly beautiful places and also where the manatees like to hang out in the winter!

Emily, Morgan, and I got back to dinner in time to meet with Joy Towell, who I read about in David Helvarg's War Against the Greens.  Joe Murphy and his wife Becky were also there, and we had a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable dinner! What amazing people, what an amazing day.