Independence Day Report
Thank you for reading this Independence Day Report. Sincere wishes to all for a fabulous celebration! I failed to post last week, and for that I apologize. Our lives have been a whirlwind, in my defense.
Susan is doing great. She can’t drive yet, or run marathons, but she’s up and about, doing her PT, living her life while we pack up, sell, give away, or throw out all our belongings because our house is for sale.
Son Maxx and his bride Catalina are here, helping Susan recover and helping us pack up, sell, give away, or throw out all our belongings. We are moving to California. The pods leave Sunday, so we have to finish the job by tomorrow.
The Bang-O-Craft sold today, and my kayak is on Marketplace, too. Selling that will hurt! My subscribers know from my writings that these pieces of equipment are old, yet reliable. The price will be fair…
A shout-out to two people, both of whom fed us. Tom Van Horn dropped off a big pan of baked spaghetti, which was the base of several meals. Thank you, Tom! Mike Adamson stopped by with a cooked salmon filet, a delicious grain salad, and an unusual yet delicious take on caprice salad which likewise supplied several meals. Thank you, too, Mike! Both were Godsends.
In my purging I came across a copy of a Belize First magazine. Back in 1994 I sold them an article about a trip I took there, for which I got a copy of the magazine, $50, and a bag of Belizean coffee. The article starts below, with a link to the rest of it.
Belize by Canoe
An aquamarine sea hissed and foamed around our canoes, its color changing to emerald and jade as we looked toward the reef. Sunlight sparkled off the waves like diamond fire. The distant roar of surf pounding on rock reached our ears as the wind filled our sails and pushed our boats toward Tobacco Caye, a tiny speck of land lying atop the longest coral reef in the Americas.
Along the coast of Belize, idyllic islands and spectacular submarine scenery dominate a landscape drenched in sunshine. Using a canoe-sailing rig as a water vehicle, my friends and I had come here to explore along the Belizean reef, snorkeling, fishing, and relaxing. We wished only to savor life as the Belizeans do.
Our trip began on the docks of Belize City. Caye Caulker was reached after a 40-minute boat ride across open bays and through narrow passages in mangrove islands. “Go Slow,” street signs told us.
We stayed in the Miramar Hotel for two nights while we organized our gear and assembled our boats, adjusting to the differences in culture and getting ready to sail to St. George’s Caye. We were a crew of four. Ken Shannon, trip leader, a mechanical engineer, had designed and built the catamaran sailing rig for the two canoes. Bill Cleveland, a veterinarian, was our “physician.” I was photographer and cook. Jay Shannon, Ken’s brother, assisted everyone.
To read the rest of this piece, click on this link…
That’s the Independence Day Report. Thanks for reading.
Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it. Go fishing! Go paddling! Go walking! Stay active!
John Kumiski – https://spottedtail.com – https://www.etsy.com/shop/PhotographybyKumiski
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