World Adventurer and Educator
World Adventurer and Educator
It started out as a gorgeous day, but became cold, drizzly, and windy. I got my training in and pulled the kayak out of the water just as it started to rain. Beautiful houses, restaurants, and businesses line the lagoon. At night, lovely lights illuminate the water and surrounding area if one can brave the cold. Kayak Launch Site
Arriving in Miami in August during a threat of a hurricane, I began the arduous task of getting permission from the United States Government to legally travel by boat to Cuba. I had hoped that if I were poised and ready to go, perhaps the US government would speed up its decision. It was a good plan, but of course it did not go that way…
Thank you to Florida Bay Outfitters (FBO) for being my Expedition Headquarters. Cuba to USA for Education would not be possible without the generous support of FBO. They have received all my gear for the expedition, given me a place to stay through all the red tape and organization of the journey, as well as assisting with the scheduling of speaking engagements. Frank and Monica have been of tremendous help. Florida Bay Outfitters sells everything Kayak, and Stand Up Paddle Boarding gear and supplies. They rent equipment for all your paddling needs and provide tours, training, and SUP Yoga classes. FBO is right on the Black Water Sound so you can launch right from the well equipped store or they also deliver kayaks for use throughout the Florida Keys. Frank, Monica, and the staff are courteous, friendly, professional, and knowledgable. Frank has been in the kayaking business for well over 25 years and there is not much he does not know about kayaking and the area. Monica worked for the Florida State Park Service so she knows all about the wildlife and great places to paddle for the day or camp overnight. For all your Florida Keys paddling needs, look no further than Florida Bay Outfitters! Comments Florida Bay Outfitters Submitted by Steven O’Brien on 27 October 2015 – 9:28pm Frank and Monica of FBO represent the finest aspects of the Florida Keys paddle sports industry. Their friendly, knowledgeable manner of business has done much to encourage the love our our sport. I’ve had to good fortune to meet and paddle with Teresa Diehl, she a very special person and a truly graceful paddler. – Steve O’Brien founder “Castawaysagainstcancer.com” Kayak Team delete edit reply Florida Bay Outfitters new Submitted by Teresa Diehl on 28 October 2015 – 5:59am G’Day Steve, You are spot on in your comments about Frank and Monica. Thank you for your kind words. Paddle on Iron Manatee!!! Cheers, Mate! Teresa
Submitted by Teresa Diehl on 15 September 2015 – 10:43am “Ma’am, would you like the privacy of a room, or would you like me to check you here?” You’re not getting me into any room, Babe, I thought to myself, but I politely said, “Check me here, I don’t have time to waste.” Honest to Pete, she felt me up, looked me straight in the eye and said, “Sometimes it’s just the way you stand or the crease in your jeans,” and smiled. It was the only smile I got throughout all of TSA (Totally Stupid …Okay I’ll keep it family friendly.) I shook my head and walked away. What a way to get your jollies. No wonder that guard was so pissed off about being demoted! I am SO flying out of Oakland FROM NOW ON! I redressed, headed to my boarding gate, and just laughed. See, no hard feelings, I have got a Straight to paddle!
Submitted by Teresa Diehl on 29 August 2015 – 2:42pm My Mom and I were talking as I was checking-in online when, Whoops! We just passed the airport. Were we early, ha, ha, ha, NOT! Well, no use panicking when getting lost in San Francisco and late for a flight. I whipped out my handy, dandy Waze on the mobile phone and presto, fixo, we are zig-zagging our way back toSan Francisco International Airport. All the lights were red. No worries, more visiting time with my favourite Mom! We really did get to go the back way to SFO. We arrived twenty minutes prior to boarding. Plenty of time, well sort of. I grabbed my bags and searched for Check In. EVERYTHING was automated and there was no arguing that I had already paid for my checked bag. Even if there were someone there, I did not have time. However, there was someone to ask me to please take my one and a half pounds out of my checked bag! Really? One and a half pounds, really? Two-thirds of a kilo, seriously? I took two bags of my sister’s absolutely awesome home-made beef jerky. No doubt I am making it across the Florida Straight with that fuel in me! She is so clever, she sealed it all up and made her own label-Paddler’s Pick, of course. She even included the Nutrition Facts to make sure there was no problem arriving in Florida. It even has a bar code, pretty slick, eh? Notice the cut out for hanging it on the rack display. I’ll tell you what, I am glad she’s with me and not against me! Check it out! My sister is the BEST in the whole wide world! Two-thirds of a kilo, COME ON!! Alright, get over it. On to security…
Submitted by Teresa Diehl on 16 July 2015 – 1:08am I dedicate this expedition to my Grandfather. His unconditional love and unwavering support of me shaped me as a child and created the belief in myself, determination and commitment necessary to execute this endeavour. It is my hope that I will be able to create this type of support in the communities I visit such that the children are empowered and supported to achieve any goal they set for themselves. The students may create tremendous goals in the learning sessions I conduct with them, but without parental and community support, their success is greatly diminished. My goal for this journey is to empower every person I encounter with the knowledge, skills, resources available, and desire to create a better life for themselves, family, and positively impact their community. I view myself as a facilitator. I cannot come into a community and know their specific needs. I can only ask questions, listen, provide a different perspective, guide goal setting and skills for execution, and educate the community about available resources. The action necessary for success lies within the individuals of the community. When we throw off the chains of the past, no matter how horrific, and take responsibility for our own lives, the seeds of change can take root. Perhaps it will be slow, like the gradual formation of the landscape of Australia over the millennia. Perhaps it will happen within the lifetime of the students of the community. It simply needs to start and form in ways even the community may have never dreamed. ANYTHING is possible through love, determination, commitment and ACTION. I know that through experience. It is the way I choose to live my life. THANK YOU, GRANDPA. e GEORGE ANDREW BAKER 1920-2009
This week I travelled to Sydney to attend the ORA (Outdoor Retailer Australia) trade show at the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park. Wow! It was like
Love many Trust few Always paddle your own Canoe!