Hello Hello...

Here are a few of the pictures Capt. Ned took on his journey. I'm only able to load 5 at a time. I will do my best to keep them in order.

On the last leg of Captain Ned's Kayak Krooz he let his buddy Joe do all of the paddling. Joe averaged a solid 75 knots while 'Ol Ned rode shot gun drinking ice cold H2O and ate junk food. Captain Ned officially made it back to his home in Tarpon Springs, FL at 8:49 AM 7/9/2008.

More will follow...

I have good news, bad news, more good news and great news.

Were going to start with the bad...after going back to see where we left off, I realized that I am THERE - THEIR & THEY'RE challenged. The good news is, I have recognized this problem, admitted I have a problem and now I'm on the road to recovery. Hmmm...I wonder if I can get special front row parking for something like this?

Friday the 4th, Captain Ned got a ride from St. Francisville over to the Pearl River just north of Slidell, LA. He said his kayak was hanging about 6 feet out the back of the Ranger pick up truck with a red shirt duct taped to the stern. The trip took about 2.5 hours. He said it had to be quite the site kroozing down the highway.

Now at sea level Capt. Ned's first night on the Pearl River, or should I say a tributary of the Pearl, he ran into the Holden family. The Holden family set 'Ol Ned up with a Louisiana feast fit for a king and a map of the local waterways. When I spoke with the captain that night he said "you are not going to guess what I'm eating", "I'm eating boiled ship, blue crab, corn on the cob, potatoes with sausage and all kinds of good stuff". He said it was more then he could eat, but he was going to give it his best shot. He wanted me to make sure I mentioned and thanked the Holden family for their hospitality and feast. Thank You!!!

Capt. Ned found out by the park police that he was camping on federal reserve land. After pleasantries exchanged, the situation was explained, the intrigued park police BS'ed with Capt. Ned for a while and said unless exploring the bayou's is your desire, you may want to head in this direction. They helped the good 'ol captain by highlighting a few things on his map and told him of some things to look for.

Capt. Ned paddled a very scenic 20 miles making his way from the West Pearl to the East Pearl. Said he saw many dozens of shanty boat homes while weaving in and out of all these little nooks and crannies. One of the shanty's had a sign entitled "Red Neck Yacht Club". The letters in the sign were spelled backwards. He said he's having a great time, there are lots of people to talk too.

Sunday morning 'Ol Ned packed up his camp site, which was on a bed of oyster shells with fiddler crabs as company and pushed off on another day of paddling. Sunday ended up being the hardest day to date. He had a major head wind all day. When he got to the bay at the mouth of the Pearl he had to carve his way through all of the sea grass and fight the chop. Capt. Ned made it 12 miles on Sunday and he earned every one of them.

Sunday nights camp site was near Claremont Harbor Lake Shores. The captain said he could see civilization a few miles ahead but he was just too damn tired to get there. He plans to keep on keeping on Monday.

Monday wasn't much better for Capt. Ned. The wind was again pretty brutal on forward progress. Wilson unable to help at all. The water again was very choppy. Capt. Ned had to paddle as hard as he could just to keep from going backwards. He then made the executive decision to hit the beach and walk his kayak. It was this beach in Waveland, MS where 'Ol Ned ran into Pamela. Pamela, Capt. Ned said "thank you very much, you were a life saver and your kindness made his day".

Moving on to Captain Ned's current whereabouts...if you happened to look at the maps before you started reading my hack writing then you already know that Captain Ned has ended the Kayak Krooz. I got a call Monday afternoon at 4:30 PM EST "hey mon, it's over". I asked if it was official, he said "as far as I'm concerned it is".

After Capt. Ned parted ways with Pamela he continued to walk his kayak until he ran out of beach. Captain Ned paddled around the next point, and as soon as he came to the next beach he was walking it again. Monday saw a total of 8 miles. 4 of which were a strenuous paddle and the rest were walked.

The Kayak Krooz came to a close on a beach in Bay St. Lewis, Mississippi. The heavy easterly winds, the rough seas and the forecast that they would continue for several day's were the deciding factor in Capt. Ned's decision.

More good news...Captain Ned Mott started the Kayak Krooz the same way he ended it...on his terms. The great news I mentioned is actually selfish on my part...I'm going to be kicking back on the "Rainbow's End" this weekend with my dad drinking some ice cold "gold tops".

Captain Ned Mott has reached his destination...he is back aboard the "Rainbow's End".

STOP!!! WAIT!!! DON'T LEAVE YET!!! More will follow...I received the pictures that Capt. Ned took along his journey. These will be posted ASAP. Also, I will be snapping some pictures of the good 'ol captain at his destination this weekend, and in order to officially close this thing down right we're going to have to get some comments from 'Ol Ned himself.

Please stay tuned...

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

Sorry I didn't get back with you yesterday…that pesky work thing kept getting in the way.

So…where were we…oh yeah…we were continuing with day 43. Well…day 43 is in the past and this moment were in now will never come again, so lets start fresh with where Captain Ned is now. Let’s get to ‘Ol Ned’s destinations and decisions.

Yesterday, 7/3/2008 at 12:30 PM EST “Hey mon…what’s happenin, how you doin, everything going alright” is what I got when I picked up. Pondering the thought I’m doing the same damn thing I was doing yesterday, I asked what’s happenin with you...where the hell are ya? He said he was feeling kind of lazy and was just drifting along at about 4.1. Said he didn't push off until 9, he sat, sipped coffee and watch the water. He’s looking forward to hitting different color water. He’s got Florida in his cross hairs.

He said it was sprinkling which felt good, but the wind is nonexistent. We all know what no wind means...Wilson is worthless. Capt. Ned is cursing Wilson pretty good. Said that if he doesn’t pull his damn weight when he hits the Gulf Of Mexico he’s going to drown that miserable no good lazy SOB. He said he tried to use him the other day, but as soon as he came out of retirement the wind shifted immediately and came in nose first. He says “I just know that SOB is laughing at me, watching me do all the work”. Be advised Wilson could very well meet the same demise as the frying pan, computer, numerous cameras and various other items I probably shouldn't mention.

Well…its official…Captain Ned has hit his end destination on the Mississippi. He’s in St. Francisville, LA or at least he was when I talked to him last night just before 8 PM. He informed me that he’s in a pretty crappy spot next to the boat landing. He said “St. Francisville isn’t crappy; I’m just not real pleased with where my camp site is”.

Capt. Ned got into St. Francisville around 2 PM yesterday and so far has had no luck finding someone to take him over to the Pearl River, but he basically just arrived. He said that there is a small tavern about a quarter to half mile from the landing and there are a couple people their that are going to put their feelers out.

It’s just after 1PM now and I’m hoping we get a call from Capt. Ned pretty soon letting us know he’s in route to his next destination. The only calls I keep getting are from some friends that are trying to get me to go out on the boat. LOL…she said all the cool people are doing it…I told her no…no…not all of the cool people…one of ‘em is going to stay inside on this absofreakinglutly beautiful 4th of July day and type on a blog.

Hmmm…I should get my head examined; I really should be out their buzzing up and down the Indian and Banana River watching those bikinis bounce with every wave. LOL…I can see and hear dad now, I’d get a raised brow look with a “what the hell were you thinking”. Then he’d laugh at me and say “well damn the bad luck…but ya know…it’s your own damn fault”.

Moving away from my mental pictures and self absorption, let’s get back to Capt. Ned and his plans. I mentioned in a previous post that ‘Ol Ned had some decisions to make when he hit the Gulf. Yeah…I’m going to have to get back with you on that…I’m going boating. LOL…just kidding ya…here’s the deal; we’re not exactly sure where Captain Ned plans to end his Kayak Krooz.

The final destination is the “Rainbow’s End” and the good ‘ol captain will most definitely get their, however the Kayak Krooz may end somewhere up in the pan handle??? We don’t know, and neither does Capt. Ned. He’s not their yet and if you’ve learned anything from his actions and my feeble attempts at writing, you have learned that Captain Ned Mott does what he wants, when he wants and he wont make that damn decision until he gets their.

I can however truthfully tell you that ‘Ol Ned’s spirits are as high; he has thoroughly enjoyed himself and he has absolutely no regrets.

Currently 30 feet above sea level, when Capt. Ned drops and transitions from muddy brown water into the clear blue that he loves so much, he will have the tides to deal with. Not so much “deal with”, this man can read the water…he owns it, but the rise and fall of the tides will be working against him as well as with him.

According to my Rand McNally the inner coastal waterway and barrier islands, up in the pan handle, end near Apalachicola, FL. This point was a topic of discussion recently, but then again I’ve heard him say the following “I’ve come this far”…”hell I don’t know”…and the classic “I’ll make that decision when I get their”.

Whether it’s Tarpon Springs, Apalachicola or at the Florida (GO GATORS) State line or wherever the hell captain decides to end “his” Krooz, he can say “I Huck Finn’ed my ass in a kayak from Indiana to Florida, I did it for sh!ts & giggles and to be able to say I did it…nothing more”.

We'll give you another update as soon as we here back from 'Ol Ned. Stay tuned...

Day - 43

On his own personal little sand bar about 15 miles from Louisiana Captain Ned woke up and pushed off for another day of paddling. He paddled about 35 miles yesterday and estimates he'll get close to 40 today.

At 2:53 PM EST the "Kayak Voyager" (Marine VHF Radio Call Sign), as 'Ol Ned is known too all of the tug and river boat captains up and down the Mighty Mississippi, crossed over into Louisiana. He was passing "The Farm" A.K.A. The Louisiana State Penitentiary, spotted a big radio tower and decided to check his cell for a signal. We had a very nice, very clear signal. We chatted for a good 20 minutes while he drifted along at about 3.2 knots.

The captain informed me that he'll be setting up camp near Morganza, LA tonight and will paddling into St. Francisville tomorrow. St. Francisville is where Capt. Ned is going to hire someone to jump him over to the Pearl River. Let's hope he can find a kind sole with a sense of adventure that will do it just for sake of doing it. I know my dad would.

Oh!!!...hang on...hang on...Capt. Ned's calling again...

Okay, Capt. Ned is about 20 to 22 miles from St. Francisville and has his condo all set up. He said he's got a very nice spot on the levee, but Shhhh...he thinks he may still be on "The Farm's" property and he damn sure doesn't want to become resident.

We laughed and talked for a solid 20 minutes, and I have more Krooz News for ya, however, it's going to have to wait until tomorrow, I've gotta run. Until then, rest assured Captain Ned Mott is alive & grinning, and is utilizing his Po Monkey's can coozy.

Timing is everything! Miss a beat and you lose the rhythm.

The only rhythm lost have been the blog updates. As for Captain Ned, his metronome is right in time. He's keeping on keeping on.

Day - 38

Captain Ned took Friday off. He hung around Vicksburg played the tourist, rested, refueled and replenished. He had to take a trip to wally world to buy smaller pants because his kept falling down. I hope the beans he used for trade was casino winnings.

At 72 feet above sea level Vicksburg, MS is a town that Capt. Ned said is full of very nice, down to earth people. He very much enjoyed his stay their.

Saturday - Day 39

Capt. Ned now well rested pushed off at a decent time and was headed for Natchez, MS. From what I understand he was in contact via 2 way with Cousin Shawn and things were going well, but again the signal was poor, so not much info was provided.

Sunday came and went with no contact from 'Ol Ned.

Day - 41

Capt. Ned made it to Natchez and camped between an old time tavern and a casino. He had to borrow a phone to make brief contact with Uncle Keith and Aunt Becky. He said that good camp sites are becoming harder to find because of the marshy terrain. He also said that he got caught up in a pretty good goose drowning rain storm, and that he hopes that doesn't happen again any time soon.

Tuesday July 1st Day - 42

Excited to see "Dad" pop up on my caller ID, the timing couldn't have been worse. I was in the process of my daily commute from Merritt Island to my office in Orlando and I was right smack in the middle of a construction zone. I had no place to pull over and take notes. We chatted for a few minutes, but I had to cut it short because cell phones, construction zones and major traffic moving at warp speed is a recipe for disaster. I tried to call him back several times, but have had no luck getting through.

Capt. Ned said that he had a great time in Natchez and although he decided against it, he contemplated hanging around for another day. He said that he meet several very nice folks, had several cold "gold tops" and was interviewed by another reporter, whom he said was not shy about snapping pictures. Speaking of pictures...hmmm...I wonder...I wonder if we'll ever get to see the pictures that Capt. Ned sent too Larry???

Captain Ned's plan is to stop just north of Baton Rouge, LA and find someone to haul him and all of his gear over to the Pearl River. This has been his plan all along, he just wasn't exactly sure where he wanted to make this lateral jump. He just always says "I'll make that decision when I get there". The Pearl River will lead the captain down near the mouth of Lake Pontchartrain in the Lake St. Catherine / Lake Borgne area which will then dump him into the Gulf Of Mexico.

Once Capt. Ned reaches the Gulf Of Mexico he's going to need to make another decision. It's something we've discussed a couple times on the phone, but I didn't think it was worth mentioning until now...'Ol Ned is going to have to decide on...LOL...I may be easy...but I'm not that easy. Stay tuned.

Day - 37

Captain Ned is in Vicksburg, MS. He's had a pretty good head wind working against him today. He said is was real bad when he was paddling up the wazoo. I just laughed and asked what river did you say...the wazoo? He said "oops...please excuse my vocal miscarriage I meant to say Yazoo River".

It was 3:16 PM EST when the call came in. He said his bow just hit the shore and he was wore plum smooth from the 1/2 to 3/4 mile paddle up the 'Ol Yazoo. Not so smooth that it was going to keep him from going and rooting around for some cold "gold tops" though. He's planning to set up camp on top of the levee. His new neighbor is a casino river boat.

We had a good signal but he was kind itching to get out of the kayak, stretch and go scouting around, so I didn't pepper him with questions of the missing stops. Hoping for a good nights sleep so tomorrow he can try to make up some time the wind stole from him today.

I asked the captain if had gotten a hold of anyone else and he said that he talked to Aunt Becky and was going to make a couple more calls after he got settled in, so we'll be back in touch tomorrow after we get a complete family update. Stay tuned.

Day - 36 - 2nd update...

I got another call from Capt. Ned just before 4 PM EST. He said he set his condo up in the rain but that he was now looking at blue sky drinking a warm "gold top". He said he had contemplated pushing off again but it was still pretty windy and didn't feel much like fighting it. Said he would rather kick back and polish off the other beers he found rolling around behind his seat.

Prior to losing our Larry style cell signal the captain informed me that he was closer to Vicksburg, MS then he thought. After he got settled and got an accurate reading on his GPS he found that he was only 15 miles north of Vicksburg, and he's only 360 miles from New Orleans.

As for the map, as soon as we have a good signal and some talk time we'll try to get the missing camping locations filled in. But then again...who knows...we may not...we know where he is right now and we know he's got a Busch in his hand. Life is good!