On Friday 2/1/13 it was time to Make a Scene by providing a spark on embarking on an epoch kayak paddle from a yet unmarked Downtown Mayor Brown Kayak Launch location to Exchange Club Island and get there before the start of First Coast Connect and Melissa Ross on 89.9. I love that show.
Another reason for the kayak launch and trip to Exchange Club Island was to get information for The Jacksonville Waterways Commission as they are in the middle of their 2013 FIND grant application cycle and also do a Vivian Harrell blue bag cleanup.
The weather was crisp and I was catching the last of the outgoing tide so the paddle to the Island was very relaxed and enjoyable. Standing on the banks and the topic of discussion for the media round table had to do with Mayor Brown and the money that will now be available to the DIA. When Karen asked where I was calling from it was so cool to say on the banks of Exchange Club Island. All the best to Scott Kim as it was announced that it was his last day.
So anyway I just hope that everyone realizes that there is an open piece of legislation 2013-51 that is one artificial reef 12 miles offshore and As Mayor Brown and the city council along with the DIA move forward that if the council passes this Ord. That it will in no way hold up the 6 artificial reefs that are slated in the river. just keep an eye open. No harm no foul. The legislation is not in Waterways. just F, RCD
The island is cleaner then in past visits. Still put together a bag and a half of garbage to take off the island. There is always something so exciting to catch the reverse of a tide especially in a river that is 310 miles long. And that is what I experienced. That was a primary purpose of this trip was to report back to the Waterway Commissioners the condition at a low tide.
The trip back to the unmarked Mayor Brown Kayak launch turned into a sporty adventure. I didn't leave right away but did the cleanup and visited the monument. So a good hour and a half later I'm paddling toward Downtown and the winds have picked up considerably. Swells are a good 1- 1 1/2' and 5-6' a part and even though I'm going with the current the wind is strong. Took off my hat and you just keep paddling. These conditions just changed in 2 hours. just sharing that with you.
Downtown is a Destination.
Who's next?
Downtown is a Destination.
Anyone interested in an adventure from this secret kayak launch site? Will be Making a Scene that will add a Spark for key legislative meetings next week DIA, Waterways, City Council.
Special shout out to
Governor Scott,
Pam Bondi
Angela Corey
Sheriff Rutherford
Ben Warner
Mayor Brown
FIND Commissioners
Waterway Commissioners
City Counci Members
DIA Board Members
Constitutional Officers
DVI
VISIT JACKSONVILLE
Any of the Civic Council Boys
Any Rednecks
Any media outlet (MJ)
Any city employee
Who's next?
PS4 JAX'S Tiki, Taki Beach didn't disappoint the other day as it was again an opportunity to provide a spark for joining Mayor Brown in making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through. Unfortunately it still needs the Mayor Brown kayak logo. Councilman Redman is in support of this. Dave Roman, have you had a chance to check it out?
The weather conditions were sporty. Wanted to put in on the Northbank but where?
The tides were such that it was the last of the outgoing and the first of the incoming. Where on the Southbank?
Wind was a definite factor along with tide. Low water for hours.
This location is ideal for any tide condition and so this is where I launched. With the wind I elected to just focus on the Southbank.
Ultimately I took it to the sandbars of the Bee and Utah kayak launch which can only be used if the tide is right. Don't get me wrong it is a plus and still props to Mayor Brown for this access point but you better know what your doing or you could be walking through mud.
It was a beautiful day. Boat traffic had a tugboat that had to be practicing maneuvers, ospreys were catching fish, and the entrance of the creek to Bee and Utah had wading birds everywhere. A kingfisher darting around the entrance. you just felt part of the vibrancy that is trying to be created Downtown.
Caught some reds on shrimp. It was exciting to be Making a Scene Downtown on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative in our new DIA Zone.
I am Downtown and why you aren't.
Who's next?
Planning a RICO paddle. Is there anyone who wants to write a check for a buck to 2009-442 the Artificial Reef Trust Fund that I will personally deliver to the full Jacksonville Waterways Commission on 4/10/13. the Public Trust has been completely and totally destroyed in this community. Let me show you.
I am Downtown and why you aren't.
Today from an Urban Core kayak launch that still needs a Mayor Brown kayak logo that has Dist. 4 city council support it was time to make a spark and embark on another epic Downtown River Destination that will continue in Making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through.
It was an incoming tide and with my radio tuned in to 89.9 fm I was listening to First Coast connect with Melissa Ross and her guest was Peter Rummell with One Spark. The paddle to the Northbank with the Boat Show getting ready had me thinking that as One Spark may have changed direction with the substitution of Elton Rivas instead of Wayne Wood would Mayor Brown continue to open the Waterways to economic opportunity. Each launch is a Spark.
I decided to take it to Hogans Creek with a stop by the floating dock that will be the future site of a DIA concert and wondering if this floating dock is open to the general public. Anybody know? Somebody ask and answer the question. I'd say NO!
I so much wanted to be on the Water today for a host of reasons. First I continue to believe that the Public Trust continues to be absolutely destroyed in this community and if there are any FBI RICO interns that are looking for extra credit let me show you. I digress. The weather was cloudy and the river traffic was light. The paddle over and listening to the show and watching the show. The show on the water were dolphins everywhere. A pod of about 6 that were breaking the water in short bursts was a treat as compared to those that go under for longer periods of time. So cool at 9 in the morning.
There was a man at the floating dock of the Shipyards property and he was on the phone. I just paddled by and took it to Hogans Creek by the Maxwell House plant. I didn't stay long and wanted to take it back. The weather was still cloudy and the wind had definitely picked up. I just wanted to get back to the other side. In the spirit of adventure and with an incoming tide it was a stiff paddle back. I now took it over to the Bee and Utah Mayor Brown kayak launch and just anchored up at the entrance to the creek.
At this point I was on the phone with Scott Wilson and we were talking about how much money we had lost with FIND when Don was chair of Waterways. About $500,000. I shared with him that the city has now committed to another $250,000 with the Pottsburg Creek dredge design permit. So why can't we get a Mayor Brown Kayak logo for Palmer Terrace Park? I know I need to get in touch with David Roman to. I don't blame Dave. Each launch is a Spark.
It was still an incoming tide and I wanted to now take it back to the natural kayak launch at Palmer Terrace Park. It's a beautiful picture post card location. I did bring my fishing poles and when I was on shore I had a line that was out there and did lose a nice fish. I was so happy to get my pole as it was being dragged into the water.
Did a little cleanup and just left that this kayak location in the Urban Core will be a game changer as everyone in this city will now be able to Access, Promote, Celebrate, and Protect our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative in our newly created Downtown DIA zone.
Ben - JCCI we need to Kayak Downtown before 2025.
I am Downtown and why you aren't.
Each launch is a Spark in the Urban Core. Yeah Right!!!! So on 5/1/13 after attending and participating in the 4 JCCI Vision study sessions and the last being on 4/27/13 which had me at the clean and green Environment table (Environmental Ethics ?) Vince Seibold. Then taking it over to observe the River City Kayak challenge at RCB and then culminating with the butterfly release at Tree Hill in Arlington and listening to Joseph A. Strasser and the city council representative Clay Yarborough it was time again to take it back to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our newly created DIA Zone.
So in the spirit of RICO, Public, Private, Partnership, Downtown, Vision 2025, All In, and FIND I put in at a natural kayak launch that still needs a Mayor Brown kayak logo that will continue in making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through. The logistics and reasons for this trip and launching from this location are numerous and have significant reasons behind them as will be seen as this community after embracing One Spark now gets ready to tee it up with SHIPYARDS III.
So standing on the banks of Palmer Terrace Park and also did a respectable Vivian Harrell blue bag cleanup my plan was to kayak and fish under the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways at Berkman Plaza- Plaza at Berkman. If you notice from the post above the tide conditions. I was attempting this with an outgoing tide.
With enthusiasm and wanting to have a Downtown launch under my belt before the weather turns and hoping to get to my destination before the start of First Coast Connect 89.9 fm with Mellissa Ross I was in the water 40 minutes before the start of the show. remember the RAM dock is only open when RAM is open. Again refer to the post above for comparison.
So with an outgoing tide and in the past staying on the Southbank so as to minimize the current and then tracking over to my desired destination I opted to track over to the Northbank and just north of the marina then take it down to Berkman. Again with the outgoing tide and the wind wasn't a big factor at this point I started paddling and again you just don't stop paddling. I always like this time of day boat traffic was minimal. I ended up just going to the other side next to the barges north of Metro Park. Once there I decided to anchor up because I did bring my fishing poles. I waved to the guys on the barge and my anchor after just my first attempt got stuck and I was just 20 feet from shore. Great! Also discovered I snapped a rod tip. Great! This wasn't the plan. heck with this. So now my decision is to take it back to Palmer Terrace Park and the sandy beaches.
Remember it's an outgoing tide and with my anchor now gone the current has carried me towards the Hart bridge as I'm attempting to track back. The wind has picked up from the North and so you are now having to take on swells coming right at you as you are continuing to be pulled out to the middle of the river. It was sporty to say the least and some of the hardest paddling yet and truly this is not how I was picturing this day to go. I got to the other side and it had taken me almost to the base of the Hart bridge. That's a little bit off coarse. On the other side I was able to hug the shore and take it back to Palmer Terrace Park. Once back I was able to listen to the end of First Coast Connect. Did the cleanup and didn't stay that long.
Remember the size and control of this new DIA Zone. Over 20 plus miles. And our river runs through it. instead of saying No and making excuses who will be saying Yes and Welcome. Detours on the road. Detours on the river. The connectivity is needed more than ever if it's going to happen on our Waterways Downtown. On a side note everyone vote on the poll for the FIND Boat Ramp Master Plan. Be sure to ask Don Redman about the status of the Pottsberg Creek dredge. $250,000 has been spent on the design. It's our ad valorem property tax money. Anyone want to write a check for a buck to 2009-442 and the 6 permitted reefs south of the Fuller Warren?
SHIPYARDS III. Tee it up.
I am Downtown and why you aren't.
Wanted to share this with everyone but we were in a boat and on Sunday we saw a bald eagle in this part of the river. An osprey with a fish flew by within a 100 ' then we saw a bald eagle not even a minute later. Landed in a big pine tree and we just drifted toward it. it was so cool. And this is our Downtown.
Trick or Treat. It's RICO. Seriously.
So on 10/31/13 it was time with Florida, Georgia two days out and the world stage that will show airiel views of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone was another attempt at providing a spark that will tell the world to VISIT JACKSONVILLE!
PS4 JAX'S Tiki, Taki, Beach goes back to when Mike Messiano was the Duval county representative of FIND. Scott Wilson and Don Redman Dist. 4 please jump in here at any time. Especially that you are now chair of Waterways again. Why? we are so LOST. Still have an open contest on the new Waterways signage that was never before Waterways. The contest is open to everyone. Special shout out to the Civic Council if you tell us where it is I will treat you to Chopstick Charley's and we can use UBER. If you don't want to use UBER we'll take your limo. This is positive.
Weather conditions were Jax Chamber. DIA chillin, OED spacin. It was an outgoing tide and my destination was Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman, Shipyards III, the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, 26' Berkman floating dock compromise that was misrepresented by OGC to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission during the 2013 FIND grant application process. I brought some fishing gear and also wanted to fish under the brand new NO FISHING signs that was never before Waterways.
I hugged the Southbank and enjoyed a fairly relaxed paddle given that it was the last of the outgoing tide. The bird activity with a good number of ospreys is a visual Downtown attraction all it's own. Once I got to Jacksonville Downtown International Redneck Kayak Launch that was another great recommendation by Tom Ingram during a FIND subcommittee meeting. it was time to trac over to the Northbank.
The fishing wasn't a high priority but I did have a nice one on and lost it in the pilings. Another reason for wanting to make a scene in our Urban Core on the Waterway was to call in on the Andy Johnson radio show 1600 am from 2-6 and tell everyone about the two DIA/CRA in the USA meetings that are taking place on Nov.4 and 5TH Downtown. If people think for a second that we are getting more Public Access and economic opportunity to our river we are getting less. Paul Astleford the new CEO of VISIT JACKSONVILLE is a hero.
The weather as everyone knows can change and Governor Scott I still have that letter and I pull it out often especially when I am just feet away from possibly exiting my kayak safely and then immediately being able to participate on Bay St. But NO. instead the wind has picked up and it's time to exit before conditions get worse. And that's what I did.
The boat traffic was light. but once out in the river the wind had picked up and it was now an incoming tide. I just knew that it would be sportier going against the current but throw in the wind and the swells in the river can grow quickly. And that is exactly what happened.
Once back to PS4 JAX'S Tiki, Taki, Beach it was another light cleanup. Wanted to get back for our Tricker Treaters. Mission accomplished.
We only had one tricker treater.
I am Downtown and why you aren't.
Who's next?
It takes a Village and after watching the 1/9/14 LUZ meeting St. Johns Village is moving forward. The marina is out and the kayak launch may or may not happen.
2013-384 and the armory for a buck and every city council legislative representative ignoring a request for an amendment that would allow for 24/7 Public Access to Hogans Creek. legislation was withdrawn.
2014-22 And the Super Duper Secret FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) meeting that is now 4 days out and if any Joe Q. Public shows up do you think for a second that you have a chance in hell to participate in what was to have been a Public Process to have a project added to the list. it's criminal if you ask me. Just pull the tape.
So staying positive it was again time to launch at a waterfront public access street end that doesn't have a Mayor Brown kayak logo and is not landlocked by a Foundation and attempt to show everyone that you want to VISIT JACKSONVILLE! Yeah right. Paul Astleford we need to kayak downtown.
This trip was important for me again on so many levels and for those that called and wanted to be ALL IN we will continue to Make It Happen. I wouldn't say that the weather was JaxChamber, I'm sure some DIA Board members were Chillin and OED is always Spacin so I was putting in around 11:30 catching an outgoing tide from the Southbank and wanting to take it all the way up to Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman and fish under the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways. Also brought a Bluebag for a Vivian Harrell cleanup. Also brought the radio to listen to the Gone Fishin Show on 1600 am from 12-2.
The river was calm and I hugged the shore all the way up to just past the chart house before tracking over to the Northbank. The paddle up even though against the current is more manageable. Ospreys were everywhere and there distinctive sounds were very strong around the JEA parcel.
I got to my first fishing spot and was tuning in to the Gone Fishin show and I had a 22" red and another bite or two and then decide to move. It was also starting to rain. At another spot had a 25" red. I had an opportunity to call into the fishing show and share with everyone some of these upcoming legislative actions that will ultimately benefit who?
It was almost like calling in to First Coast connect. As soon as the show was over so was I. I had two reds and although my initial plan was to keep them I didn't. So here again I'm sitting in the Berkman marina and just staring at Public corruption. Take you pick as to what I'm referring to.
The wind has picked up slightly and I'm still catching the outgoing tide and that was a plus. I took it over to the JEA site and I'm standing just outside the new Country Boy JEA fence. hat was wrong with the old fence? How much did that cost? Anyone. Has the surplus JEA house across from Exchange Club Island sold yet? Anyone.
Did a respectable Vivian Harrell Bluebag cleanup and left it on the top of a mooring piece. Imagine NOW. Not 2025 if we all had the opportunity to access these garbage cluttered areas.
Once back to the beautiful sandy beach of PS4 I did a light cleanup threw out a line to see if maybe I'd catch another fish.
What an Adventure.
I am Downtown and why you aren't.
Who's next?