1-22-2003

2-5-2003

4-6-2003

Ken was the owner of Happy People on Stanial Cay, in the Exumas.  From my first trip, he showed me the ropes (sometimes literally), helped Ibis get going in the Bahamas.  Ken was a wealth of knowledge of the islands and knew how to do just about anything.  I never could get him to try one of the kayaks though!  Any of you who traveled with Ibis through the Exumas, you owe a great deal to Ken.

Mike Ward owned Float Key, the Brigadoon of the Everglades.  Over 14 years he offered hospitality, campsites, and a set-up kitchen to Ibis Tours and many other paddlers.  With pipe in mouth, jumbo martini glass in hand, and wearing his ever-present Everglades City Reeboks, aka "crabber boots, Mike dispensed justice and advice on his island kingdom.  Mike was such a part of the Ibis Everglades experience, it will never be quite the same.

Mike Galt taught me how to paddle.  I had paddled canoes most of my life, but until I met Mike, I had no idea what beauty an elegant canoe, and proper paddling, could bring forth upon the water.  Mike was a spinner of tales, and led an amazing life.  Actually, his life was not THAT amazing, Mike was amazing.  Mike just had a way of making ordinary things extraordinary and I listened to his stories into the wee hours of many a day.

These three guys had a bit in common; all had kids, but were close to none of them.  The paddling community was more of a family to the Mikes.  Both Mikes lived under pseudonyms, made it tough to find them in hospitals.  All loved the water, the outdoors, and all were generous with their knowledge.  I hope I can remember enough of what they told me to be as generous. 

Safe home guys

Bardy