EC 2014 9.0

and if you needed inspiration for 2015 - Key Largo at Sunset

Congrats to Team Kruger with an impressive 100% completion rate during the EC 2014.  Another dip of the paddle to:

• MicroTom (aka Tom Dyll) and WaterLily (aka Erika Dyll) - Kruger Cruiser
• NiteNavigator (aka Bob Bradford) and whitecaps (aka toby nipper) - Kruger Cruiser
• Peacepaddler (aka Sandy Krueger) -Sea Wind
• WindwardMark (aka Mark Rowe) and LeewardLauren (aka Lauren Fry) - Kruger Cruiser

"The 2014 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge has come to an end with the arrival of the last boat being tracked. I'm very thankful that every participant is safe and for the number who said, "I'll see you next year!" Lord willing, yes. Thanks again to our Chief for the opportunity to volunteer as race manager and to every volunteer for their commitment and professionalism in representing WaterTribe. Especially to my dear friend, Dana Clark. We're a team! So long for now, Key Largo. We'll be back!" - Paula Martel event director.

I couldn't have said it better myself even if the teleprompter was front and center!! "cut print wrap!!", another EC in the record books; stories lore and legend will immerge; keep your eye on the bubble, you powder dry and watch your top knot!!

EC 2014 - 8.0

Peacepaddler (aka Sandy Krueger) is on the move after a long @ss night in Florida Bay; she is about to navigate Jimmy Channel.  The tribe waits in an...tsipation as she makes her way to Key Largo.

EC 2014 - 7.1

With the big storm cell that came through yesterday and the need to get off the gulf, Sandy takes to the inside and is now crossing Whitewater Bay!!  Woo hoo!!  Bold move!!

EC 2014 - 7.0

Impressive in so many ways!! Welcome to Key Largo!!

EC 2014 - 6.2

Ole Salts Toby (L), Bob (R) gettin'er done Everglades Challenge 2014

EC 2014 - 6.1

Good work Ben, thanks for tracking Team Kruger!! 

 

Wednesday evening update for Team Kruger...

• Bob and Toby at CP3 resting up before the final push across Florida Bay
• MicroTom and Lily in the southern reaches of Joe River, probably headed for CP3
• Mark and Lauren on Shark River, I believe headed for South Joe Chickee
• Sandy southbound in the open Gulf approaching Plover Keys.

Looking good everyone!

EC 2014 - 6.0

"Keeper moving"

 

 

Quotes heard around the world during the EC 2014

"This event is harder then poking a cat under a porch with a wet rope" - Kneadingwater

"I'm as clueless as a checkpoint manager with no cell coverage" - Kapakahi

"Us old foxes is trap-shy; especially when the bait comes looking for us!" - Whitecaps

"I reckon you done what you done because you didn't know we was who we was. And if we ain't been who we was, we'd have still been much obliged for you to have done what you done" - Delirious WaterTriber, a conversation with the Coast Guard.

Inspired by Jed Clampett

EC 2014 - 5.1

 

"Ben - a - Drone"

"I saw in your blog post that you don't have Microtom's SPOT link... his is one (of 9) that are not coming through on the WT site for some reason. - I've sent out the Ben - a - Drone" to gain intel"

"BTW... they are in, or have recently finished the nightmare, SPOT has not updated in a while, I'm assuming due to heavy mangrove vegetation... but feel free to make up a more interesting story :D"  - Ben A. (Kruger canoes research and development center Area 51)

EC 2014 - 5.0

I assume this is a thumbs up photo op and Mark and Lauren are not trying to hitch a ride somewhere; they are really making good time. WindwardMark and LeewardLauren had a quick sleep on Lulu key from about 7:30p.m. on March 3, and then left to take advantage of the tide just after 10:00 p.m. Slept a bit more (IN their Kruger cruiser!) tied to a mangrove near the Park office and got their Everglades permit at 8:00 a.m. Here they are at CP 2, about 9:30 a.m. on March 4. Night of March 4 at Rogers River chickee and for March 5, I thought I heard "S Joe," but that looks a little out of the way, so I'm not sure. Marcia Fry reporting.

Leeward Lauren and Windward Mark just pushing off from the mangroves near the park office. Just before landing here they had a bivouac of several hours right in their Cruiser. Lauren had a little sand crab keeping her company, and actually slept. Helps to be short. I guess Mark battled mosquitos and slept less. But they're in great spirits and excited about the Wilderness Waterway to come. Marcia Fry reporting

 

"Where's my food"- Bob

Bob and Toby have made their way down to Tarpon Bay; They are in a pretty remote area; from what my sources tell me Bob is sleeping with one eye open, gators, sharks, snakes and the most worrisome predator - Toby; let me tell ya, that boy can eat; one eye open and your hand on your grub bag.

Sandy did a big push and snuck into CP2 in the wee hours of the morning; that makes for a long day on day 3 of the challenge; hat's off for staying with it!!

I am not 100%  sure where MicroTom and WaterLilly are (possible CP 2); I can't seem to get a current read on their SPOT; but I am sure they are somewhere between "having a ball" key and "what the ..." island!

EC 2014 - 4.1

Reports from the EC event appear like magic, just like in the movies; drama intrigue suspense...

Received a call from Sandy in the wee hours of the morning; doing well, pacing herself and getting the sleep she needs to keep it moving during the day; Sandy states a bit of fog dead calm early on.

Had a brief conversation with Paula Race Manager; working on about 4 hours sleep; once again she is in the thick of it managing the event, doing meet and greets, shaking hands and kissing babies.

Paraphrasing Frank McCloud from the1948 Humphrey Bogart movie Key Largo: "When your body says one thing and your head says another, your body always loses." 

Mind over matter - stroke, stoke, stroke...