First time

My wife and I are planning on kayaking out to a small island (where camping specifically permitted) in Indian River here in FL and camping overnight. We have never camped in a "secluded" area before (that that this is THAT secluded, just not directly connected to any land). We have pretty good common sense. We will have cell phones and there is service. I have told my family the location as well as GPS coordinates of where we will be. I have deemed that alligators and crocs should be a non issue. Since are are kayaking we'll be able to bring a cooler with plenty of food and water. We have a cheap dome tent and plenty of blankets - night time temps are only in the 50s. We have and will continue to check the weather reports. We will be bringing our dog, also.

Is there anything that a greenhorn might just not think of that is a great thing to have? While I am sure this is not a big deal it is a little bit daunting just the fact that we will be surrounded on all sides by water!

Most of the questions here are specific and you have basically asked "tell me everything I need to know to go camping."

If you have never done any camping at all, I would pick up a book, even one as elementary as Camping for Dummies and start there. Most of what you will read will be applicable to your trip. Don't expect to get a complete answer here, that's what books are for.

Also read the articles on this website-not just the forums, the articles starting at the home page.

Start here, for example-
http://www.backpacking.net/beginner.html

Some of the members here are from Florida and may know the area-ask about the specific place in the Trip forum; maybe someone has been there. Other websites will also have basic information for beginners, such as lists of what to take. Experience comes from reading, learning from others, then doing it yourself. No shortcuts there.

If you go back through the Beginner Forum archives as well as LIte Gear, you may pick up some tips, but that is doing it the hard way.

pjcampo,

Enjoy the trip, once you get used to secluded feeling, you'll appreciate the solitude. The next step after giving GPS coordinates would be to tell your family what time to expect you to be home and the latest to expect you. I would also give general description if as your coordinates to be accurate need to be same datum set as searches and that's not always a given.

Remember 50's at night along with rain and humidity can feel much colder. When I go I lump categories together such as pack, sleeping, shelter, clothing, food/water, toiletries, first aid, emergency gear (firestater etc), dog care, other.

I am not sure your water temperature, but if temps are in 50's and you go in the water there is a risk of hypothermia. I would make sure sleeping bag and extra clothes are packed in drybag so if all gets a bath your bag and clothes will be dry to quickly warm you up.

I've worried about bears but never about alligators so I can't help you there. I would bring a good mirrored signaling device just in case. Use your common sense and write out all your gear to help you determine if you need anything else.

Sounds like a real nice trip I am sure you'll enjoy. Write back to let us know how everything went.

Chuck

Thanks for asking but I think you and your wife have it together.

Most problems in life are social, not technical.
Enjoy your trip, work on it together, and learn as you go.

p.s. So you are one of the lucky ones eh.

What's it like?

Seriously though, my advice on kayaking trips is to practice flipping the boat over and getting wet at least once per trip, and I live on the Bay of Fundy where the surface temperature is 35F to 50F year round. Now if you can talk your wife into doing that as well as going on these kayaking/camping trips, even if it is in Florida, then you really are a lucky guy.


I don't even think I want to talk to you any more. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I would second JAK's advice and prepare for all your stuff getting tossed in the drink. Other than that, enjoy. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />