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.

Now that I'm back in internet range, I wanted to share my incredible experiences on Friday, in and around St. Marks, Florida. I started my paddle at the St. Marks Lighthouse, a beautiful historic structure and landmark for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge, one of the most visited in the national refuge system, is a tremendous natural resource for the nation and county where its located. The refuge protects over 80% of Wakulla County’s coastline, which includes miles of pristine, coastal and freshwater wetlands, upland pinewoods and oak hammocks, salt barrens and meadows, and the open waters of Apalachee Bay and Gulf.

Nearly 70 percent of the entire county is set aside as public lands for outdoor conservation and recreation. Besides the refuge, this includes Wakulla Springs State Park, home to one of the largest, deepest and most studied spring systems in the world, the Apalachicola National Forest, an impressive longleaf pine forest system that stretches through a number of panhandle Florida counties, providing home to numerous protected species and habitats. The  Wakulla State Forest and Wildlife management areas, and a number of local county parks top off this impressive list of public lands. This county boasts being “the natural place to be” on the nature coasts, and I believe now that’s true. Wakulla County is truly one of Florida’s and the nation’s best kept secrets -  and only a short drive from the State’s Capitol in Tallahassee. Unbelievable!

We started the paddle a little later than usual, as I was going to be officially greeted by the mayor of St. Marks and other dignitaries at noon at the City’s Wakulla River Park – a short six mile paddle away . I was accompanied this morning by expert paddler and trail blazer, Doug Alderson, coordinator  of the Florida Paddling Trail system. This system of marked canoe and kayak routes and camping spots goes around the entire state of Florida, from the Georgia state-line near Jacksonville to Key West on to Pensacola at the Alabama state-line. It’s part of the Office of Greenways and Trails in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Also on  the trip were six great kayakers from The Wilderness Way local outfitters (TWW). Run by Georgia Ackerman and her husband Rick, it’s  an excellent paddle sports outfitter business recently relocated in Wakulla County. The weather and company was great. Clear blue skies, easy breezes and a rising tide to carry us up the river to the event.

We arrived at the landing to be greeted not only by press, politicians and other dignitaries from the surrounding area (expertly coordinated by consultant Paul Johnson), but my beautiful two children, Billy and Julia, and my loving husband Carl, who had driven all night from New Jersey to be with me for mother’s day.  What a thrill and surprise!

The welcoming event could not have been better. Mayor Chuck Shields officially read a resolution celebrating my mission  and trip and welcomed me on behalf of the City of St. Marks. I didn’t know that this little Florida coastal town, at the junction of the spring fed St. Marks and Wakulla rivers, is the third oldest City in the new world. Wow!

Also there to celebrate my arrival were Wakulla County Administrator Ben Pingree, who welcomed me on behalf of the entire Wakulla County Commission, Pam Portwood, Director of the Wakulla County Tourism Development Council and coordinator of the City of St. Marks Waterfronts Florida program, who had kind words and support to share, and Dr. Felecia Coleman, director of the Florida State Marine Laboratory at Turkey Point, where I will be staying Sunday and Monday night, let us know of the importance of good marine science and policy through advocates, like myself. Finally, Loranne Ausley, local cyclist, runner and education advocate, and former state house representative from Tallahassee ,who is running for senate district 6, was there to greet me as well. I want to dearly thank all those that turned out to this event.

 I understand that NPR radio, local TV and press did a great job of reporting my “healthy” oceans campaign with the Natural Resources Defense Council and Gulf Restoration Network throughout the Capitol Region and beyond. This is exactly what I needed to get my message out there and am now psyched to move westward on to New Orleans.

Following this event we went to The Wilderness Way  outfitters, who hosted a nice reception for more interested citizens, politicians and press. From there, Paul Johnson took me to an interview with managing editor of the weekly Wakulla News, Tammie Barfield, where we talked about paddling, motherhood, nature, pollution, politics and  a host of other topics. I can’t wait to see what she writes. The entire day was arranged by the Wakulla Chamber of Commerce to help promote their partnership with local Tallahassee Community College “Green Guides” program. This is a wonderful program, coordinated by Mary Wolfgang, as an incubator for small “green businesses” wishing to provide interpretive tours of the areas great natural and heritage based resources.

My family and I finished the long day with a wonderful mullet dinner at the fabulous Spring Creek Restaurant, near the multiple boils of Spring Creek spring system. This is a must-stop place to grab a meal, run by long time restaurateur and commercial fisherman Leo Lovell and his son Clay, a very accomplished nature artist.

Well, even though I didn’t paddle many miles, I’m exhausted! And I though paddling was hard work. But this is the real work, getting our message of healthy oceans to the masses. Once again, I’d like to thank Paul Johnson for the excellent work of helping make this happen.