Hi, readers, and fellow paddlers. So the election is now behind us and we hope the markets get back on track. Let’s hope we read that the housing markets and the economy are all on the rise, and that Americans, no matter what race, color or creed, all unite in these troubled times. With that all said, last column I wrote I touched on some of the questions I am often asked when on tour or from some e-mails I receive at Gulf Coast Kayak in Matlacha. Just to recap some were: What is the difference between a dolphin and a purpose? Why are the eagles in Florida so small? And one I like most: If this is the Tarpon Capital of the World, then which restaurant serves it the best? As you can see, to the locals it’s a hoot, but the snow birds really don’t know. With that in mind, let me share another phone call we had just this last week. The woman caller wanted to know when Gulf Coast Kayak had their normal kayak tours. Well, she hit me on one of those days when I was in rare form. I replied, “Gulf Coast Kayak doesn’t have normal kayak tours. Our tours are far from normal; they are exceptional tours, and we are blessed every day with whatever Mother Nature is kind enough to share with us.” And here’s why I said that. First off, those of you who have gone out with us know the difference. I’ve heard some horror stories about some so-called kayak tour guides and rental places. Not to say that they are doing it wrong, but they are different. How so? Well, I am glad you asked. One older lady told me she and a friend, who had never kayaked before, had to meet their guide in the parking lot of an area park. When the guide showed up he said to grab a kayak and vest from the truck and meet him on the beach. Keep in mind, this poor old lady has never kayaked before; never mind knew how to pick up a kayak. Another customer told me about a tour he went on: The guide said follow me, never looked back, never told them anything about were they were or about the wild life, or history, of were they were paddling. He was only interested in getting back to the beach were they started so he could get his tip. Being a kayak tour guide is not just someone getting a few used kayaks and saying I am a guide. Follow me. Or maybe it is; but, not at Gulf Coast Kayak. We greet you with a hello, not what do you want. We ask if you have kayaked before, if you have a preference of a single or double? Do you have a kayak at home? What kind? We help you pick one from our selection of 55 kayaks and canoes. Do you want a sit-on top? A sit-in? A rudder? What size vest? We give you a bottle of water to bring on the tour. We then assist you getting in to the kayak from our floating dock. We give you paddle instruction if you have never paddled before, or it’s been a while since you were last on the water. In addition, what sets us apart from the others is when you first call about the tour you talk to a real guide, not a store clerk or someone in a office in Hong Kong or India taking bookings. We suggest some foot protection, so you can get out without cutting your feet. We suggest clothing that you don’t mind getting wet (Sorry, ladies, no dresses or high heels), sunglasses, sun screen, and a hat to protect you from the Florida sun; and most important, a good sense of humor. You are going out to kayak to have fun; it’s NOT a race. In addition, we try to show you that we must respect the wild life and our waterways. We are the keepers of our children’s future. We try to identify birds and mammals for you, so you don’t come back and say wow, we saw a whole bunch of white birds. We tell you about the estuaries and back bays of Matlacha and Pine Island. We share some old time stories about the islands and its people. Please don’t get me wrong; there are some great and very knowledgeable tour guides out there. There are some who specialize in the history of the Calusa Indians, have studied them most of their adult lives. There are some that are master naturalists who also took Florida university extension classes. Some parks and recs have very dedicated and knowable volunteers. All I want to get across is: be careful out there, do a little homework before you go on a kayak tour, and, if you have been on a bad one, then give us other guys a chance; you will be able to tell the difference, and you will be glad you did, and you will come back with your friends. Gulf Coast Kayak is recommended by Lonely Planet travel guide, National Geographic, Adventure magazine, Bangor Main News Press, the London Times, Air Trans magazine and Southern Living magazine and the Society for Ethical Ecotourism. In addition, let’s not forget the thousands of happy kayakers over the past nine years. And you can always pick up articles written about kayaking by me—Mel the guide—in over eight local newspapers or online. So, if this sounds like the kind of kayaking you would like to do, call us at our base camp 1-239-283-1125 or my cell 941-661-8229 or call the Chambers of Commerce at Pine Island, Cape Coral or Punta Gorda; we are members in good standing in all of them. Now comes the hard part: which tour do you want to go on?? The early morning nature tour? Or the I-want-to-sleep-late tour? The beautiful sunset tour or my favorite the full moon tour? We also do special tours for birthdays and corporate outings. You may be wondering what can you see on a kayak tour? Well, on some of the other tours you could see the backs of old trailer parks, new half-built condos, and the backyards of run down houses on mud banks. On the other hand, you could go with us and see wild birds, dolphin, manatees, mangrove tunnels, mullet jumping out of the water because they are glad to see you, sting rays, and let’s not forget, the most beautiful sunsets in Florida. This past week we had a fantastic sighting as we paddled into a mangrove tunnel in a Back Bay cove—two pair of Bald Eagles. What a great sight; they let us watch them for about twenty minutes, as they sat high atop the dead tree, just looking over the calm lake. Then they flew away, with their awesome wingspans, their heads and tails of white, and their bright yellow beaks and feet. The Bald Eagle, our national bird, is the only eagle unique to north America. Did you know that the word bald meant white, not hairless? Eagles are members of the Accipitridae family, which also includes Hawks, Kites, and Vultures. Up till 1997, the Bald Eagle had been listed as an endangered species, but in 2007 the Interior Department took the bird off the list. We are so lucky to have about 30 mating pairs in our own backyards. So, stop sitting there thinking about going kayaking. Now is the time to go. Give us a call; you will be glad you did. That all said, remember, it’s always a great day in Mat-La-Sha (Matlacha). Thanks for paddling with Mel the Guide. Gulf Coast Kayak is open all year 24/7 941 661 8229 239 283 1125 for rentals or to book a tour with Mel the Guide captbudd@cfl.rr.com