Description: ~10-mile paddle over seagrass beds and around mangrove keys, past one of the two most diverse colonial water-bird rookeries in Florida.
Location: Emerson Point Preserve, 5801 17th St W, Palmetto 34221. The beach launch is at the end of the road, with porta toilets and 20 parking spots (no trailer spots).
Schedule: Wed, Mar 18. Meet 9:45 a.m. for a 10:15 a.m. launch. Approximate return time at 2:15 p.m.
Additional information: We follow north shore of Snead Island and go to Bird Key (Washburn Sanctuary) in Terra Ceia Bay. We'll bisect Rattlesnake Key via Critical Creek, a shortcut that smugglers used to escape the Coast Guard during Prohibition. We'll stop at a beach on the Tampa Bay side of Rattlesnake Key for lunch. Low tide 4:49 a.m. -0.3', high tide 9:59 p.m. 1.8'.
Difficulty: Level 2, for distance. Terra Ceia Bay gets choppy with boat traffic and/or wind.
Required: Min 15' sea kayak, PFD, spray skirt, water, lunch/snack, sunblock. Suggested: binoculars, bug repellent, camera.
Leader: Therese Eby; therese@tbsk.club
See the Skills Self Assessment Chart on the web site and contact the leader with any questions. Please register (or cancel) on the web site so you can be updated with any change of plans.
http://www.tbsk.club/resources/Documents/Skills_Assessment-_Chart_March_2017.pdf