Treasure Chest 2005

Robin and his navigator, wonderdog Becky

Pirate Queen (Dawn) picking up her trophy as the new women's solo record holder for the Missouri 340--340 miles in 97 hrs. Whew! Battered by a microburst and helping fellow racers along the way, only the Pirate Queen could come out smiling from this gruelling expedition race.

So, we convinced them to come back from the Florida Everglades, but it was a tough sell...

Those of us not in the Keys would definitely take this

as bragging...North Carolinians were far from running

around topless this February.

All right, who packed the kitchen sink?


Mangroves...white sand beaches...sunshine...just add tents.


Before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys, PQP paddlers wind through the mangrove canopied Blackwater River.

Granola and nuts have no place in a PQP dinner, only the best freshly cooked banquets will do. Proud to say, "No one goes away hungry!"


Marital bliss at its best. Ellen and Charles kept the crew laughing on the Everglades trip. Ellen thought 8 days in the Everglades would be a good way to try out camping...fortunately she loved it!


Perfect roost for pelicans and paddlers overlooking a local pass.



Ok, who packed Ian in the canoe? Charles, Terry, come on now...


Between snacks of pork rinds (the lesser known health food) and imitations of the Blue Footed Boobie, Charles paddles on toward the next key in the Florida Everglades.


The point of this Key is a little piece of magic curling out into the gulf waters. This time magic came in the form of frozen chocolate eclairs from surprise Michigan friends.


Further testimony to the food on a PQP trip...lunches on the water make every bagel taste better.

Watch out! The wildlife on our "Testing the Waters" can get pretty rowdy.


Bringing up the tail of the human ducklings, PQP George heads out to enjoy the natural beauty of the waters...the water George, not the women...

Weekends spent with the Cape Lookout lighthouse...Rainbow special ordered as the moon rose on our weekend excursion.

Setting out for their sunset tour, this group of smiling faces is celebrating their graduation from the PQP kayaking class held at Village Fitness Club.

Sometimes the water will come to you--PQP co-owner, Valerie, and TownDock.net headhonchos, Keith and Melinda, take advantage of the "Noreaster" to paddle through the Duck Pond, to the Bean for coffee, and back out into the street.


Hm...something's missing from this photo. Further evidence that lessons with the Queen can be of help.


The Pirate Queen in full regalia hails her adoring audience in the 2004 Croaker Festival Parade. Our crew won first prize, the judges say primarily in gratitude that the real cannon fired real candy (rather than cannon balls) into the crowd.


Yes, it is a hard life, but someone's gotta do it. PQP co-owner, Dawn, basks in the sun on the Women Over 50 adventure.


The winding waters of the REAL Dawson's Creek...home of the egret, blue heron, bass, and if you look close, you may find the Hollywood stars hiding in the marsh grass.


Taking a break from teaching Yoga, Diana heads for the water to try out her new boat and new paddling skills from PQP. She didn't get to try out her rescue techniques on this paddle though.