Pfarming

So Ann and I purchased 5 acres, a home, and a barn in Geneva, Florida. After 40 some years of living where I had to, I'm finally living where I want to be. Everything on the property was in good working order and the buildings are solid with no work needed. We will be expanding the barn to accommodate kayaks and gear.
So the first thing we did was clear the entire fence line of vines, fallen trees, and made repairs. Second big project was to remove old rusted and rotten cross fencing. Fence work took two-three weeks and about killed me.
Our next project that will continue on forever, was removing rotted trees, invasive species, jungles of vines, and little oak saplings and replacing them with native long leaf pine, turkey oak, and red bays.

One of the former owners of the Pfarm was a vet. This being said we had everything in place for domesticated livestock. Our first purchase was chickens. Poor Sam and Gator, they hated Orlando Code Enforcement making it impossible to keep their small flock. We were given 4 big Rhode Island Reds, we purchased 6 more Reds, 6 Americana, and 6 Barred Rocks. The red shouldered hawks ate 6 before we could secure a fenced in run.
About two weeks after moving in we got a call from a neighbor who was moving and wanted to give us two goats, 4 hens, and 2 pigs. When we explained we would be eating the animals she about fainted (I have no idea what people think farmers do) then ended up giving us everything but the pot belly pigs.

We ended up not eating Bonnie or Clyde, the children adore them and spend hours playing with them.

Goat Fishing

Take them little ones paddling

Paddle Your Kids!

   As a dad and a guide, I’m always being asked by other parents when is the best time to start taking their children paddling. My answer is always the same, “On the way home from the hospital is the perfect time!”  In all seriousness, if you are an experienced paddler, the sooner the better. If you wait too long something else will capture their interests. Heaven forbid your child prefers television, computers, or video games to the great outdoors! In fact, have your wife load the canoe on the roof rack of your car, right now, while you continue to read this article!

   The most important thing about a family paddling trip is to make sure everyone has the best time possible; this will insure more fun trips in the future. Your children will most likely have a good time if you start them young and if you have a good time. To get little ones interested in the upcoming paddling trip, leave a canoe or kayak in the backyard for them to play on. Give their little bodies a chance to get used to the feel of the boat and let their giant imaginations run wild!

   When you finally get on the water, keep the time in the boat short and the playtime high. Don’t expect your young children to actually propel the vessel. Make numerous stops for the kids to play, to explore, and, of course, to eat. Stop early to set up camp. Involve the children in most of the camp chores; you know they love helping. Collecting fire wood, setting up tents, finding rocks for the fireplace, rolling out the sleeping pads and bags, and helping prepare meals all make the child realize she is an important part of the family and valuable to the expedition.

    Make every effort to keep your children from getting overexposed to the sun, and don’t forget about the rays reflected off the water.  Take light, long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, heaps of sunscreen, and siestas in the shade. Remember your kids look up to you – if you aren’t wearing a shirt, a PFD (personal flotation device), or sunscreen, they won’t want to either, and won’t see the need for it.  Lead by example.  Also, avoid trips outdoors during the mosquito season (Summer and Fall in Florida), getting too close to wild animals, and showing fear or dislike of the things found in nature.        

    Parents who display their fears of lightning, alligators, snakes, insects, or whatever can often pass it on to their children.  If lightning gets close, calmly get to safety, then “ooh” and “aah” like you’re watching a great fireworks display.  Respect wildlife; observe snakes, alligators, and wasp nests from a distance. These safety precautions will pay off big once your child begins going on paddling trips without you; your nerves won’t be as raw if you know your kid isn’t picking up snakes, feeding alligators, or throwing rocks at enormous wasp nests, and you’ll sleep better if she knows what to do when thunderclouds start rolling over the campsite.

   Since having fun is important, make sure you pack a few tools to help the process.  First, make sure to bring a big tent. When the sun is beating down, or the bugs discover your location, a big tent allows the kids ample play space.  Always have crayons, paper, string or rope, play dough, and storybooks for inside the tent, and plenty of flashlights and batteries. Outside, let the young ones build sand castles, forts, and rope swings.  I take the kids on bug hunts, point out birds using binoculars, and teach the fine art of using a slingshot.  And finally, in all my years of guiding and travels to different countries, I have never met a kid that doesn’t enjoy fishing.

So get out the maps and search the web for some great family paddling spots. If you need any help or advice feel free to contact me personally at any time.

    On a final note, there are heaps of parents out there who don’t have the time or knowledge to take their children camping, fishing or paddling. Lets take the time to offer more FAMILY outings. Imagine the impact you could make on a kid’s life by just taking them outdoors to play.

545 vs. 300,000,000 People
-By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.. ( The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.)

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House?( John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. ) If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to. [The House has passed a budget but the Senate has not approved a budget in over three years. The President's proposed budgets have gotten almost unanimous rejections in the Senate in that time. ]

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ..

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.
Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses. Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees... We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

When your ready for some facts start digging and quit reacting to what you see and subscribe to on T.V:

http://youtu.be/Ooa98FHuaU0

• Adventures in Florida Day Tours

great history of Florida

Marty Sullivan's Kayakers Newsletter #61

Number 61 Newsletter

Topics:

Items of Interest: Outings by "Adventures in Florida," FPTA and "Paddle Florida"

Events and Races: Note the North Carolina Challenge in September, and see SUP races listed in “2012 EAST COAST RACE SCHEDULE.”

Articles: Why a Tippy Boat?

Important note: If you know of events and races, email me the info so I can share it with others!

Marty Sullivan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEMS OF INTEREST:

Greg Pflug's "Adventures in Florida" leads trips in Bahamas, Botswana, Viet Nam and other countries, as well as Utah, Missouri, and of course Florida. These trips are more adventurous and daring than the usual paddling trips, augmented by Greg's culinary skills. Check out his web site athttp://www.adventuresinfloridacom/.

The Florida Paddling Trail Association (FPTA) schedules day trips on its calendar, seehttp://floridapaddlingtrails.com/calendar.asp?caldate=20120601. In June there are upcoming trips on Ocklawaha River, Indian Key in the Florida Keys, Rock Springs Run, Withlacoochee River, and Rainbow River.

"Paddle Florida" offers multi-day camping trips on the Suwannne River, Withlacoochee River, the Keys and other waterways. See http://paddleflorida.org/,

EVENTS AND RACES:

Florida Competition Paddlers Events (usually 10-12 mile course and 4-5 mile course in protected waters):

> June 2, 2012, Wascissa River Race, Tallahassee, FL, Contact George Blakely, 850-385-4974,gblakely@fsu.edu

> June 9-10, 2012, Sunshine State Games, sprint and marathon races. see www.flasports.com. Contact John Edwards, 727-459-6366, canoechamp@aol.com

> July 1, 2012, Mere Mortals Race, Suwannee River State Park, Live Oak, FL, Contact Larry/Glenda Frederick, lf6978@yahoo.com, 352-495-9846

> Sept 8, 2012, St. John's River Paddle Battle, Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, FL. 4 and 10 miles. Contact Marty Sullivan, 407-484-0112, jsullivan2@cfl.rr.com.

> Sept 22, 2012, Puffer Fish Race, Tarpon Springs, FL. Contact Cindy/Karl Vogel, 727-938-7685

> Jan 20, 2013, Estero River Race, Estero, FL (Ft. Myers Beach). Contact Paula, 239-992-4050,erol@aol.com

National Trails Day Event, June 2, Saturday, Islamorada, Florida Keys. Celebrate Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail with a "pedal" and/or a "paddle!" Meet Mark Terrill for a bicycle ride and historical tour at the Hurricane Monument at MM 81, Matecumbe Key. Then meet Monica Woll st 1 p.m. for a celebratory paddle at MM 78.5 to paddle out to Indian Key. Bring your own gear, including helmet for biking and/or life jacket for paddling. Contact Monica for more info, 305-853-3571 or 305-360-0846.

Back to the Chattahoochee Race and Festival Atlanta Ga. June 9 Sat 8 & 10 Mile All Classes. Contact: Tammy Bates 404-352-9828 tbates@ucriverkeeper.org www.chattahoochee.org

The Outdoors Inc. 31st Annual Canoe & Kayak Race, Missippi River, Memphis Riverfront, Memphis, TN, June 16, 2012. $15,000 cash and prizes. 3.1 miles. Seehttp://www.outdoorsinccom/pages/canoe-race. Huge turnout, lots of top-notch paddlers. For more information contact Joe Royer, 901-767-6790 or JoeRoyer@OutdoorsInc.com.

Dawson County Jaycees Canoe & Kayak Race, Dawsonville Ga. August 4 Sat, 8 Miles All Classes Contact: David McKee 770-401-1122 dmckee@dawsoncounty.org

Savannah Paddlefest Augusta , Ga. Aug. 25 Sat. 8.5 Miles All Classes Contact: Andy Weed 706-826-8991 aweed@savannahriverkeeperorg www.savannahriverkeeper.org

North Carolina Challenge, September 28, 2012, Cedar Island, NC. A 100-mile event in coastal waters of North Carolina. The NCC is run as an unsupported, expedition-style adventure races for kayaks, canoes and small boats. Your safety and well being are completely up to you. You should be an expert kayaker and/or sailor before you consider this challenge. Although this event is not an ocean race, the location is coastal, subject to the same weather patterns and conditions one finds beyond the narrow barrier islands and impacting the shallow sounds. For more info seehttp://watertribe.org/nc-challenge/

Miami Kayak Challenge on Biscayne Bay, Miami ,FL Sept. 30 Sun., All paddlecraft. Fund raiser Cystic Fibrosis. 3, 6 & 12 mile courses Event info: www.miamipaddlechallenge.com www.adventuresportsmiami.com. Contact: Sue, tvpeople@ymail.com (305) 978-2233 OR Jose jpinera@cff.org www.meetup.com/miami-kayak-club

River Rocks Race Chattanooga Tenn. October 6 Sat, 3 & 6 Miles All Classes Contact: Daniel Miller 423-756-7756 DEMillerco@yahoo.com

Suwannee Race Challenge & Marathon White Springs FL Oct. 13-14 Sat/Sun 26 & 52 Miles All Classes Contact: Rod Price 407-227-5606 rodbprice@hotmail.com www.aca1.com

ONGOING: 2011 West Coast Offshore Series for Surfskis, Outriggers and Paddleboardshttp://clearwatercanoeclub.com. All races $5 per person. Sand Key Sailing Center, Clearwater, FL

2012 EAST COAST RACE SCHEDULE

(NOTE: PD = Paddleboard, SUP = stand-up paddleboard, SK=surfski OR=outrigger)

2-Jun "Paddle for Humanity" PD, SUPs, SK, OC-1s, dories Deerfield Beach, FL www.paddleforhumanity.org

3-Jun Surf Swap Challenge SUPs Ocean City, MD dawnehman@yahoo.com

9-Jun Surfguys SUP Race SUPs Melbourne Bch www.surfguyssurf.com/sup-race.html

9-Jun 2nd Annual Panacea Paddle SUPs Carolina Bch, NC www.panaceaadventures.org

16-17 Jun Space Coast Paddle Blast PD, SUPs Cocoa Beach, FL eastcoastpaddleboard@yahoo.com

23-Jun 3rd Annual Onslow Bay Challenge PD, SUPs, SK, OC-1s, 2s, 6s, SK, dories Topsail, NC sidearmsurfskate@gmail.com

30-Jun Pink Paddle (Breast Cancer Awareness) PD, SUPs Ponce Inlet, FL mosurf@mindspring.com

7-Jul East Coast Paddle Board / SUP Champs * PD, SUPs, SK, OR Ponce Inlet, FL mosurf@mindspring.com

7-Jul Shem Creek Shootout SUPs, surfskis, OC-1s Mt Pleasant, SC dcliff1@comcast.net

14-Jul St Pete Splash SUPs, surfskis, OC-1s St Pete Beach, FL http://supsplashrace.com/st-pete/

28-Jul Annapolis SUP Race SUPs Annapolis, MD www.supannapolis.com

4-6 Aug USLA Lifeguard National Championships USLA specific Cape May, NJ www.usla.org

17-Aug "Paddle for Humanity" PD, SUPs, SK, OC-1s, dories Washington, DC www.paddleforhumanity.org

8-Sep Battle on the Bay SUPs Ocean City, MD dawnehman@yahoo.com

5-7 Oct Clash at the Passes Paddleboards, SUPs, SK, OC-1s, SK, dories Palm Island Fl Marc@h2soul.com

6-Oct Sandbridge Hei Hei SUP Surf/Slalom Open Ocean Race Virginia Beach, VA supalohamovement.com

20-Oct Golden Isle Paddleboard Classic SUPs St. Simons Is, GA www.goldenislessup.com

27-Oct Causeway to Causeway Challenge PD, SUPs, SK, OC-1s, 2s , 6s, dories Cocoa Beach, FL www.cocoabeachsurfmuseum.org

3-4 Nov Calusa Classic PD, SUPs, SK, OR, kayaks Lee County, FL www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com

4-Nov 3rd Annual Golden Nugget SUP 5K and 10K – Shem Creek /Charleston Harbor Mt Pleasant, SC mtpleasant@halfmoonoutfitters.com

WHY A TIPPY BOAT?

by Marty Sullivan

Because with some time in the boat it'll feel more comfortable and you'll be more rested at the end of a long day of paddling. The kayaks you would normally buy from Current Designs, Wilderness Systems, etc. are quite stable and easy to keep upright. Race boats are difficult to keep upright but there's a big advantage -- efficiency that results in more speed.

Stability comes with the burden of lower efficiency, and less efficiency means more effort to go the same distance. So, there's a tradeoff between efficiency and stability. More drag is caused by more contact with the water. A wider, flatter bottom gives more stability but requires more surface area in contact with the water. The most efficient shape, least area, is a semicircle. But it's also the most unstable. A rowing shell has this round shape for the hull cross-section and has zero stability with minimum wetted surface.

In analyzing wetted surface versus drag, I utilized Matt Broze's calculation spreadsheet (http://www.marinerkayaks.com/mkhtml/downloads.htm) and compared drag for 13 kayaks with lengths of 15.4 to 15.8 feet (waterline length). Wetted surface for these kayaks ranged from 21.5 to 25.1 square feet, and frictional drag varied from 2.4 to 2.8 pounds. I ignored hydrodynamic drag since I looked at drag at a speed of 3.5 knots (4.0 mph), at which speed hydrodynamic drag is small and about the same for all these boats. (Hydrodynamic drag is a whole other animal and tends to become significant at speeds over 4.5 knots.)

The results of my analysis were, at 3.5 knots (4 mph), there is approximately 0.1 pound additional drag for each additional square foot of wetted surface area. This is about a 4 percent drag increase per square foot of area, and a total drag variation across these 13 kayaks of about 16 percent All of these kayaks are pretty stable and are designed to serve the recreational to intermediate paddler. Power output to drive these boats at 3.5 knots varies from 20.7 to 23.9 watts. To go 5 knots (5.8 mph) it takes about 90 watts of power with these analyzed boats.

The average beam of these boats (at the waterline) was 22.7 inches. However, to have the optimal shape and minimize wetted surface, that is a semicircle, the beam would need to be about half that, or about 11 1/2 inches. How would you feel in a boat with 11.5-inch beam? So, a compromise is needed between efficiency and comfort for all us "regular" paddlers.

There's an additional advantage to rounded-bottom boats in choppy seas A flat-bottom boat tends to lurch side-to-side in a beam chop since it wants to keep the bottom level with the choppy water. A boat with a more rounded bottom tends to let the chop ride under the boat without tipping it side to side. The rounded bottom makes for more predictable handling in rough seas. and predictable handling is a huge advantage when seas get lumpy.

My advice, if you're interested in efficiency, is to get a boat that feels somewhat on the tippy side. With some time in the boat, it'll feel comfortable and you'll be much more rested at the end of a long day of paddling. Download the Broze spreadsheet and see if the boat you're interested in is listed. Also, check Sea Kayaker magazine to see if it has been analyzed since the magazine uses this spreadsheet to calculate drag.