2016—PROOF OF LIFE TOUR

June 6-13, 2016 

$80,000 raised for the ACS

This year really began days before launch. For months, the Castaways and their support group held fundraisers, solicited support from the corporate world (a BIG thank you to US Century Bank), raised money in various ways at Columbus High School, and reached out to family and friends for donations. The response was overwhelming. True “Proof of Life” spirit. In addition, the crew of journalism students from CCNN (Christopher Columbus New Network) were on board to do a documentary, which is slated to be produced and sold, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. The launch party and logistics meeting were both hosted by Lou and his family and the Road Crew and could not have been better. We have the absolute best support in the form of our Road Crew. After much planning and discussion, and losing a member to health issues the night before, we were set to launch.

Prelaunch

As the team was prepping for another epic adventure, a few Castaways headed over to Kendall Regional Hospital to visit long-time CAC supporter and cancer survivor, Carrie Helliesen, who was having some treatment done at the hospital. A tour shirt was brought over for her. She appreciated the usual tomfoolery that follows the Castaways. That evening the team and their supporters (many from Totalbank) came over to Lou’s house for a Launch Party with the typical loud laughs and tall stories. The one difference this year was the CCNN crew from CCHS following the team around as they started filming their Proof of Life documentary.

Day 1 - Miami to Elliot Key

What an event. A crowded Castaway beach with drones flying overhead, tons of supporters from the bank, and just excitement exuding from all that attended. The team expressed their thanks to the crowd and their excitement to climb to new fundraising heights as we paddled south. The team loaded up into their kayaks and headed for the Keys. A notable pairing for this year’s trip was Lou and Ozzie partnering for the 160 miles. Ozzie started off in the back. This wouldn’t last long.

The team made their usual stop at the lighthouse where they were met by the drones while they were way offshore. After some refreshments, they paddled on to Soldier Key for a celebratory toast. This is when the trip becomes a reality. Next stop Elliot (a quick stop at Sands Cut of course).

Elliot did not disappoint. Reggaeton, chusmeria, and a perfect tide were A-OK for the team. We hung out there for an hour and paddled the sad last 3 miles to Elliot Key.

The love/hate relationship with the Castaways was further cemented. Beautiful sunsets, non so true stories, amazing company (Road Crew & CCNN boys), and the start of a week focused on cancer-fighting made for a pleasant 1-2 hours before the sunset set and mosquitos completely owned us.

Day 2 - Elliot Key to Key Largo

The team woke up before sunset but like most stays on Elliot, we struggled to pack everything up and move on before the sun rose. We had the pleasure this morning of having a sailboat offshore with Diana onboard to provide us with some breakfast at sea. A nice treat after a sleepless night. Once again, the weather cooperated as we paddled on the east side of the bay but as we crossed and headed for Card Pointe, the waves picked up. The team spread out a little except the “Chandelier” with Ozzie in the back and Lou upfront. That lead-sled blasted the most horrible playlist possible all over Florida Bay (and down to Key West).

Card Pointe was a welcomed stop. The team grabbed a refreshment and gathered in “the pool” and retold stories from last night. How we were all awake at 3 and 4 and 5am because the Mosquitos had a field day.

The team pushed on to a staple of our trip, Alabama Jacks where we were met by some Road Crew, friends, and family. Jacks is a welcomed meal after 4 straight meals out of “the bag”. We even got treated to one of the Linfors boys dancing with the Ole Ladies at Jacks in their poodle skirts.

After 6 hours of paddling, we got back in the saddle knowing that we had another 4 straight hours ahead of us. Most of it would be spent in the infamous Barnes Sound. The washing machine was cranking that day. The team spread out a little and powered their way through the winds and waves with their eyes set on the Key Largo Marriot. When you go under the bridge at Gilbert’s, everything changes. There is life again. People having fun. After 2 days in the lonely waters of Florida Bay, the excitement is infectious. It kind of reminds me of when The Wizard Oz goes from black and white to color. Chin-Ching.

We arrived at the Marriot with cold drinks, snacks, family, and a home-cooked meal waiting for us.
What a day. Day 2, thankfully, done.

Day 3 - Key Largo to Islamorada

Day 3 starts with a few CAC traditions. Gus’ Grille at the Marriot and a paddle backward to FBO for a visit with Frank & Monica. We picked Suzy up here, and off we launched (again, but in the right direction) for Dusenberry Creek. Note: the tandem now had Ozzie and young Danny in it now. This could get interesting. Just when we were coming out of the Creek, OB’s runner snapped. This would become a theme. We needed reinforcements for this one—Frank and Monica to the rescue for an in-ocean kayak repair. The CCNN film crew took advantage of the opportunity and documented the repairs.

The Salty Piece of Land for lunch and a pleasant paddle down the bayside. Beautiful blue water made ideal conditions for a team paddle down to Toilette Seat Pass. Once there, Das Horn!!! Yada, Yada, Yada. Das Horn!!! Good times filled with more long tales and OBisms.

We laughed the rest of the paddle home. We had 2 last treats for the day. Some great dock jumping pictures filled with flips and cannon-balls. In the midst of our jumps, Jaime, who was paddling 3 days this year, capsized about 10 feet away from landing. Right there! Many of us had a birdseye from the dock. The best part is when OB didn’t allow him to swim it in. He demanded a T-Rescue. Oh, the shot to the ego for Jaime. Right in front of his parents! Even the Road Crew got to experience a T-Rescue. Jaime was a great sport. (some say this is what got him hired for days 1-3 the following year).

Day 4 - Islamorada to Grassy Key

Postcard Inn came in clutch for the team. A good night’s rest on a comfy bed, again. We woke up and enjoyed some breakfast by our morning Road Crew headed by Diana and Marissa. We always eat a light breakfast here so that we can rush over to Hungry Tarpon (aka Robbie’s) for brunch (who knew the CAC knew how to brunch). “Trailor Trash” for Patrick and a peanut butter bagel to go for OB reinforces that the CAC are traditionalists.

The next chunk of the day is pretty rough. We took our short, “ok”, stop at Anne’s Beach and then ducked under the Tea Table bridge and humped it for hours as we tried to pass the time throwing tennis balls at each other, reminiscing of yesteryear, giving poor financial advice to the youngins, and so on. After the usual bickering, we arrived at Pete’s Paradise where we sit and look at the tiny cars on the bridge. We enjoyed it, but not too much because we still had to hump so that we can get some amazing pool time at the Gulfview Resort owned by our friends Mike and Stephanie (and the boys). Pool time was epic. Flor. Snacks. Joe’s dinner. Back to the pool!

Day 5 - Grassy Key to Bahia Honda

Bananas galore. With messages as usual. Thanks to the Road Crew (and Mercy who came up with this idea with her girls). Off we went on day 5. We gathered in our boats for the morning prayer and head for Vaca Cut. The discussion heading to it always centers around “will it take it easy on us today?”. As usual, the house won. We were all betting it would smack us in the face but lucky us, it pulled us right through and made the morning’s paddle to Sombrero Beach a breeze. We spent much of our time around Rainman and Patrick who entertained us with their stores of nearly 2 decades of paddling. Sombrero Lunch, which Suzie helps coordinate, is the first fully healthy meal any of us have eaten in nearly a week. Bean salad and whatnot, hit the spot. (FYI, before Suzy was a paddler she’d meet us here and support us with her Banana Cream Pie for years).

We regretfully loaded up the boats again and staired the 7 mile bridge in the face. We gathered right before we hit open water and waited for Recon’s instructions. Safety first when crossing the bridge. We pointed our noses just East of the islands and put the paddles in the water. We actually did a good job this year of staying near each other. It makes the crossing a little less nerve-racking when we are together. After a few hours in the saddle, we arrived to one of the Mount Rushmore of stops (some would say THE Mr. Rushmore of stops). We had a blast. Found a “pool” and settled in for a few hours of laughs and the sobering idea that the trip was closer to finishing than it was to when we started (Rainman told us the exact number of stroke difference).

Once again, a nice group paddle to Bahia Honda where the dreaded humping of boats upstairs awaited us. It’s worth it these years because we have an amazing hotel waiting for us and an amazing meal at the Faro Blanco.

Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. 2 more days to go.

Day 6 - Bahia Honda to Sugarloaf

The day started as usual. Humping those dang boats down those dang stairs and then a nice easy paddle on the ocean side right next to the Bahia Honda Bridge (we use to go under it).

As we approached sacred Little Palm Island, a few CAC’s came up with a “great” idea. Any epic turn of events was about to occur. You just had to be there to fully understand the misery and laughing that occurred simultaneously. Patrick, Lou Aguilera, Suzy, and Pino were paddling in the rear and thought we could take an inside track and beat the rest of the team to shore. They found a little creek between the mangroves and the flats. After a minute or so it was obvious we were heading for "skinny" (shallow) waters. Suzy abandoned and backtracked. Patrick, Lou, and Pino double-downed. After another minute or so we were try to push our boats through sludge with our paddles. Lou thought to get out and pull the kayak across the flat. Well, he got stuck. Pino then thought he was more agile and wanted to help Lou out, Inevitably he got stuck in knee-high sludge as well. Patrick remained in his boat and was mortified that our "El Toro" was stuck and sinking and he could do nothing about it. All this with Little Palm (If you don't know the restaurant, google it and look at the menu) was just 100 yards away. We have a great pic of Lou gesturing to Patrick that he was a dead man and Patrick cringing in the mangroves trying to figure out how he was going to explain that he just lost the CEO of a bank, our friend, and our biggest fundraiser. Lou and Pino finally got themselves free and swam the last 100 meters to Little Palm and unceremoniously arrived through the back door. Not the way Lou envisioned himself eating at Little Palm (yet exactly how Pino would have imagined it).

Little Palm didn’t disappoint and was made all the more delicious by Lou and the crew’s poor decisions. We dined. Tacos, Quesadillas, Bergers, and of course Cheese Cake.

From here it could only go downhill right? Nope. The “S-bend” at Tarpon Creek was on point. The team burnt off the calories from Little Palm and arrived at Tarpon Creek excited to enjoy the strong current and hope for ice donations from random passing boats. 45 min at Tarpon Creek full of OB holding court and on to Sugarloaf Lodge (and their tiki bar & pool).

Don’t get Sugarloafed…

Day 7 - Sugarloaf to Key West

Today is the day. A year’s fundraising culminates with this last push to raise funds to fight cancer. The morning starts with the traditional morning prayer from OB. His words of wisdom set the stage for the day. The team paddled together and shared stories from this year’s tour and we begin to plan what’s going to happen at Key West. We make our way through the bayside and make our final crossing to the ocean side. We arrive at “Castaways Bar” (the last little sandbar stop before we arrive in Key West). We cheers as a team and speak to how honored we are to be supported so well by our friends, families, and cancer fighters.

The paddle in begins. We line up behind Patrick who announces to the crowd that we are here! The crowd goes wild. Families, friends, Castaways all hug and celebrate what we’ve accomplished together.

Patrick and OB address the crown and express the team’s sentiments of appreciation. (CCNN is everywhere capturing so much content).
The team heads Sandbar on Duval that evening to celebrate as a team. We celebrated late into the night! This is where 6.75x was born.

Day 8 - Key West & Flower Ceremony

The team gathered after a nice easy day around town to bring our tour to an end. All the paddling culminates at the flower ceremony. The Castaways and our supporters gathered at the water’s edge and spoke to why they paddle/donate. The ceremony was emotional. Many tears are shed-some of joy and others for those who we miss. This marks the end of the 2016 Tour but when the sun rises tomorrow we begin our work on the 2017 Tour.