Paddle Day 43: Homes and no homes

Lots of condos and a few large houses

Another day of contrasts, this time by kayak.  Luxurious single family homes.  Towering condos.  A damp piece of grass along the river.

Put in later than planned as talked a lot with a local couple who are into kayaking and had lots of local advice to offer.

Most of the route was along narrow canals through built-up areas, stringing together several lagoons. I passed by Indian Creek Village today, an island chock full of the rich and famous.  Where those float planes passing overhead their quick route to the city?

In other areas there were tall condo buildings everywhere.

Condos everywhere!

Apparently there are not yet enough buildings, as even what appear to be marginal spoil islands are being built on.

Building on a spoil island?

Some wonder about whether it is worth building on such low ground when some Miami streets are already regularly flooding during a high tide.  Especially when the sea water comes up through the porous limestone on which the city is built.  The Mayor of Miami said he is looking for new technology to enable the city to remain livable in the future.  He's hoping there will be a way of injecting an impervious substance into the limestone to form a barrier.  The Mayor of South Miami has a different approach to the problem.  He says people should abandon the area, but in an orderly fashion over time.

Nearby I passed by the homeless as they broke their camps, hung up their sheets to dry and stuffed their blankets into big garbage bags.  A  city of contrasts.  A country of contrasts.  A world of contrasts.

Packing up camp in the morning

Gratitude List:

• flock of pigeons flying synchronously with Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3
• tarpon jumping in front of my kayak
• biking with Chris along the beach at sunset
• talking with local kayaking couple about the Florida Keys
• smooth bays

Date: January 7, 2016                                                Restart Paddle Day: 43
Start location: Hollywood, FL                                     Launch time: 9:15 am
End location:  Miami 1                                                Land time: 12:41 pm
Average speed: 3.8 mph                                             Max Speed: 5.8 mph
Miles: 13 Kayak (+ 18 Bike)
Total expedition miles with kayak and bike: 2305        Motor-portage miles: 404
Kayak Storage:  Hollywood KOA
Host: Chris Percival