There are times when I sit back and reflect, often in amazement, how things have worked out in my life. From my jet fuel days, to this morning…there have been opportunities, that when recognized, become a recipe for something epic…If I chose. The World Is My Oyster. The World Is My Oyster. This phrase was created by William Shakespeare in his play ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’: Falstaff: I will not lend thee a penny. Pistol: Why then the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open. Oysters are opened quite easily by inserting the proper knife. In the above example, Shakespeare used ‘oyster’ to symbolize the world – Pistol says that he will open ‘the world’ with his sword, in the same way we open oysters with a knife. Translated: You have the ability or opportunity to achieve anything you want in life. Its August, and I’m celebrating one year of kayaking the CT. My first segment was Shell Mound to Cedar Key with Steve Cournoyer and Liz Sparks, and just like today, there was a hurricane brewing off the coast of Florida. This morning, as I was sending Steve and Liz a ‘Happy Anniversary’ email (reminding them how lucky they are to have known me for a year (smile)), it gave me another opportunity to reflect, again in amazement, the past 365 days. This past year has been, by far, filled with dozens and dozens of oysters, both literally, and figuratively. The people I have met, especially those who have been part of my success…and the friendships that have been cultivated…each stroke of the paddle/kayak trip standing on its own very special merit…every moment and opportunity equivalent to slurping down another delicious briny bivalve. The world has definitely been my oyster. And an opportunity presented to me this summer was no exception…I was offered the equivalent of a bushel of oysters… Meet Gus Bianchi. I met Gus last October at the 2019 Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure. We paddled together for the first time during a ‘practice’ run for a trip we were assigned to guide near Yankeetown. Gus was the trip leader, I was his sweep…Seasoned kayak veteran and a rookie. As we paddled up Johns Creek, my focus was not just learning the kayak route, but getting to know Gus as well. I did my best avoiding topics like kayaking experience, so he wouldn’t learn his sweep was a rookie (I’m sure he already knew). During our paddle, we did find commonality, the minute we learned we were both retired military. Gus: Navy…Dorsey: Air Force…let the jovial branch of service bashing begin! I’ve heard many kayak adventure stories told on the CT circuit, many which had Gus's name associated with them…but when I paddled with him, I had a sense I didn’t have to worry about anything…Something that comes from being with a seasoned paddler? Or just call me a naïve rookie? But it was during that paddle up Johns Creek that I learned that Gus was a retired Navy Senior Chief, then all of it made sense. Never underestimate the shenanigans or abilities of military enlisted folks! Fast forward to June 2020 – and to that bushel of oysters. Gus invited me to his annual kayak pilgrimage to the Florida Keys. And not just any invite. Gus knows the Key’s like the back of his hand and he knew I needed this part of the CT….so he offered to paddle this section of the CT with me. The World is My Oyster! Along with Gus, I had the opportunity to get to know and kayak with Michael Woodside and Bob Ackerman. Michael is also paddling the CT and despite already completing the Keys portion, he was willing to paddle several segments again and share his adventures with me! One in particular involved Mike and fellow kayaker John Pretzell dropping a car off in the Keys and then driving to Flamingo. They paddled approximately 30 miles back to the Keys, then drove back to Flamingo to pick up the other vehicle and return to the condo in Key West. Long day for sure (4:00am to 10:00pm)…and I bet that has never been done before!! Bob Ackerman also joined the adventure…and even though he wasn’t officially paddling the CT, he was willing to kayak most of the of the 110 mile segment! Bob loves to kayak, but even more, he likes to make people laugh, which definitely helped on those long paddle days! This was a two-week adventure. I had never been to the Keys (cruise ship stop does not count!) so I was super stoked! During this trip, I did my share and pulled my own weight, including sleeping on the couch (sleeping arrangements are assigned based on seniority…the number of times you’ve been to Key West, not age). And like my military days, we took turns cooking and buying cold beer…so it didn’t take me long to sync-up with these three cool dudes. NOTE/Disclaimer: I was having so much fun, I didn’t take notes. So you’re only getting the highlights of this epic adventure. The World Is My Oyster: Part One gives an overview of the 110 mile CT paddle. The World Is My Oyster: Part Two will let you journey with me on the non-CT adventures in the Keys, hopefully making you laugh as much as I did! Overview of the 110 mile CT paddle: Kayaking the CT in the Keys (Key West to Key Largo) is approximately 110 miles. During these segments, with the majority of the trip is located on the Atlantic Ocean side. Kayakers are exposed to a wide range of conditions;
Then there was paddling the Long Key Viaduct. Appropriately named, but only because it was the longest 2.5 miles I’ve ever kayaked. The last leg of the day, it was the equivalent of kayaking in a highly agitated washing machine! I wasn’t afraid, because I didn’t have time to. All I could do was paddle…I kept hearing my ACA Coach Steve Henkind saying “Keep one paddle in the water!” Once we all made it to the end of that 2.5 miles (I was first), I apologized profusely to Gus for getting separated from my kayak buddies. Gus knew I gained a lot of experience in that 2.5 miles. Then in a manner only a Navy Senior Chief / Gus could deliver, he told me he would get me this famous kayaking bumper sticker… During my two-week CT paddle, I felt like I gained a years-worth of paddling experience! I also want everyone to know that during the entire 110 mile trip, I was paddling with three of the coolest dudes on the water. We missed Michael on the Key West to Key Largo segments (he had a work commitment)…but when it was all said and done, it felt like I was hanging out with my three big brothers! By the end of our adventure, I wasn’t sure if my stomach/core hurt from all the kayaking… or if, yet pretty sure it was from all the laughing! I would also like to think what really helped me make ‘the cut’ (with a possible invite for next year) was not just pulling my weight, but short-sheeting the beds and demonstrating I had the grit it took to paddle 6 miles in head-on 20 knot plus winds (small craft advisory in effect)…without whining. The World Is My Oyster. In this case...a bushel of oysters! Thank you Gus Bianchi, Michael Woodside and Bob Ackerman! This 110 mile CT segment was a memorable one and would not have been the same without you! The World Is My Oyster! Happy Anniversary to my good friends Steve & Liz! Next time we're together, remind me to give you your anniversary present. Traditional 'year one' anniversary gift is paper! And last, but not least, cheers to all of my kayak buds who I have met & cultivated great friendships with during the past year! The World Is Your Oyster! You have the ability or opportunity to achieve anything you want in life.
Coming Soon: The World Is My Oyster: Part Two (More Key West Adventures!).
5 Comments
Frank Oley
8/26/2020 01:39:20 pm
You've done it again! Great read Dorsey, looking forward to part 2.
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June
8/26/2020 03:11:27 pm
Wonderful blog. Love that you researched the origin of “the world is my oyster.” ❤️❤️
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Bob Everson
8/26/2020 04:54:47 pm
Dorsey, Thanks for sharing and writing such a great blog! Can’t wait for Part 2!!!
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Cynthia Limberakis
8/26/2020 08:47:00 pm
I am enjoying your writing and travel logs. Keep the adventures coming.
Reply
Steve C
8/29/2020 02:02:10 pm
Mo oysters!!!
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AuthorDorsey DeMaster embraced kayaking after retiring from 38 years in aviation. She lives near Crystal River, Florida. Archives
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