Our First Date: Virginia Key Paddle
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Difficulty:
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(regular)
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10-stage 10-mile paddling multi-cache where you will circumnavigate Virginia Key. Be prepared for a physical challenge and the ultimate reward of what we consider Miami’s most amazing paddling route. Requires a canoe or kayak. Can be split up into at least 2 separate trips if desired.
Our first date was unique, spontaneous, and incredible. We didn’t have the typical dinner & a movie kind of first date. Ohhhh no. Instead, when I (Exotic) asked Nana out for the first time, it was to go on a 10+ mile eco-paddle around the pristine waters of Virginia Key. WOW! Good thing she was a keeper. That first date set the stage for an amazing union of 2 people – a geocaching-crazed, animal-loving, and adventure-seeking couple that has loads of fun and lots of love together. In celebration of “Our First Date”, we are sending you on an amazing paddle around Virginia Key where you will retrace our steps and hopefully enjoy the journey as much as we did!
Some of the things you’ll see on your voyage: rays lounging on patches of sandy bottom, manatees and dolphins year round, all manner of wading birds, a decent variety of fish, and the occasional pack of cruising sharks. You'll also discover the natural lagoon that penetrates deep into the key, and the northwest quadrant, an area inaccessible to powered vessels. It's startling to look up from this pristine marine environment and gaze across the water toward the mainland. Brickell high-rises loom as if from a different world.
Put in at Jimbo’s boat ramp. N 25.44.818 W 080.08.771
From there, your 1st destination is the northern point of Virginia Key. Through each of the stages, you’ll be feeling like a pirate as you locate tags of gold & silver that lead you to the final Ammo Box treasure!
ADVICE:
1) There is a fee to enter Virginia Key at the entry gatehouse.
2) Bring: life jackets (not only smart, but required by law), whistle, water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, shoes you can walk in the water with, and whatever else you might need for a long day on the water.
3) A Google Earth print-out of Virginia Key would be helpful.
4) Avoid low tide if possible – some of the early stages may be difficult (but not impossible) to access at a very low tide.
5) Check the weather forecast – winds, tides, and currents can affect the difficulty of your day’s paddle.
6) If you want to split your trip in two parts, before putting in at Jimbo's, leave an extra car at N 25.44.772 W 80.10.713. This is the halfway mark.
Good luck -- and please don’t tell anyone about this secret place!
FTF HONORS (2007) GO TO JETBLAST & CANEDNR !
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[If you wish, contact ExoticDVM for phone contact information before heading out.]
Fgntr 1: Ybj
Fgntr 2: Znatebir, ybj, lryybj ebcr gvrq nebhaq
Fgntr 3: Vfbyngrq Znatebir
Fgntr 4: Gerr, purfg-urvtug
Fgntr 5: Zrqvhz urvtug
Fgntr 6: Fghzcrq?
Fgntr 7: Fgnl va obng
Fgntr 8: Purfg-uvtu, ybbx sbe gur "I" ba na Nhfgenyvna cvar. ABG va gur fjnzc.
Fgntr 9: Gerr, 5-6' uvtu
Fgntr 10: Onfr bs svphf gerr.