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It's wet. Now what?
Keep Anclote Key Beautiful
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Welcome to Club Kayak
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FALL 2001 - TAMPA, FLORIDA USA
 Somehow
I knew this would not be your average overnight kayaking camping
trip so I shouldn't have been surprised by the results. The wind
was blowing from the east at 9-15 mph indicating the Gulf waters
would be choppy. It was still October, which is a bit early in
the season for camping and the mosquitoes would be fierce. I expected
these things. However, when we arrived at our destination I was
totally shocked.
On the morning of October 13, four of us piled into my kayak
transporter ('95 Mercury + kayak trailer) and headed to the Anclote
Gulf Park in Tarpon Springs, Florida. This is one of several launch
points for the Anclote Key State Preserve. After loading the boats,
we commenced to paddle due west for 3 1/2 miles to the north tip
of Anclote Key. The water was bumpy and the trip took about 1/2
hour longer than expected, but we arrived unscathed.
During 2000, the Park Service built a picnic and camping area
on the north side of the island. They installed a covered picnic
area, a few grills and a permanent outhouse. Never having stopped
there before, we decided this might make a convenient place for
a quick snack. As we neared the beach, the first thing we noticed
was a distinct smell of the outhouse. Moving up wind and toward
the covered picnic area, we landed our boats and began unpacking
lunch. As we walked toward the pavilion, we were quickly surrounded
by mounds of trash. Not one or two beer bottles, it looked like
someone recently played 1,000 bottles of beer on the wall. To
add insult, several large black trash sacks had been ripped open
and the contents now covered the landscape.
I was embarrassed as this was the first time two of our group
had made the paddle to Anclote Key and I spent the past month
telling them about Anclote's virtues. The volume of trash combined
with the stench of the outhouse made the area disgusting and totally
unusable. I'm sure this is not what the Park Service intended
for this formerly pristine island and it appears the location
has not been maintained for some time.
The rest of the trip was eventful as expected. More paddling,
more trash. We found a spot about 3/4 mile from the picnic area
to pitch our tents. The mosquitoes were as thick as molasses in
January and sand occupied every part of our camping gear. On Sunday
morning, I lost a pair of prescription glasses trying to help
a boater re-float his 14' outboard that sank during the early
morning hours. (Unsuccessful- had to call the Sheriff's Dept.).
To finish it off, the winds picked up and a rainstorm hit us as
we paddled back to Tarpon Springs. This will be a trip none of
us forget for quite some time.
Keep paddling,
Ed Schessl
FloridaKayaker@gmail.com
PS: You can help. After some quick research on the Internet,
I found a group called the Gulf Islands Alliance. It is a Citizens
Support Organization designated by the State of Florida and the
Department of Environmental Protection. Their
website mentions volunteer projects including park cleanup.
Additionally, you can contact Anclote Key State Preserve, c/o
Gulf Islands GEOpark, #1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, FL 34698, (813)
469-5918 and voice your concern. Thanks for your help and together,
let's keep America (and Anclote Key) Beautiful.
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