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Save the Salton Sea ?!?!

*** TREE HUGGER ALERT ***

For many years now there have been ongoing plans developed to save the largest lake in California.  Many people point to irrigation demands for Southern California and the effects of global warming as imminent threats to the livelihood of this water sports recreational area.

But the greatest risk to the Salton Sea is the geology and hydrology of the region.

Located literally feet away from the San Andreas Fault, the salt lake that many Californians adore is new and not just geologically speaking.  By comparison,  the Great Salt Lake (which is much larger and saltier) is the remnant of the enormous Lake Bonneville formed over 14,500 years ago as the galciers of the last ice age receded.  The Salton Sea was formed by an overflow of the flooded Colorado River in 1905. 

The natural sink of the area has been a terminal lake many times over pre-recorded history.  It makes sense.  the area's lowest point is a scant 5 feet higher in elevation than the lowest point of Death Valley.  In fact, the surface of the Salton Sea is 225 feet BELOW sea level. The salinity is a function of residual minerals in the ground beneath the lake that were left when previous incarnations of this inland sea evaporated.

As a boating enthusiast, I appreciate how much a gigantic inland waterpark, like the Salton Sea, means as a recreational center.  As a bird watcher, I can appreciate the newfound importance of the Salton Sea as a stopping point on migration routes.  But as a true supporter of the ways of nature, I can only suggest that the State of California enjoy the Salton Sea while you can and stop wasting the precious liquid resources and money that you don't have trying to beat the earth at her own game.

Its not nice to fool Mother Nature.   

And it never really works.

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Perfect Pasta Planner … What’s for Dinner on the boat?

While preparing this week's lecture for The Five Minute Professor, I stumbled upon some brilliant advice for the galley.

Pasta is not a particularly “boater-friendly” food because it typically requires a lot of water sitting in a pan for 15 minutes or so. Even mild swells could wreck havock in the galley. But a little pre-planning will go a long way.

As you are setting your float plan prepare pasta for a few meals (depending on how long the trip is) at home. The pasta should be cooked to the very first stages of al dente (firm to the bite). Then rinse in cold water and then separate into single meal plastic ziplock bags and then store cold (refrigerate not frozen). Store in your on board refrigerator or ice chest until meal time.

When its time to whip up a home made meal, simply slide the pasta from the bag onto a plate (if one serving) or a microwave safe bowl. Reheat on medium for about 2 minutes and then add sauce or olive oil and seasoning.

Quick and easy onboard.

On a vaguely related note, I think it is fine (but odd) to be able to refrigerate pasta that has not been previously “frigerated”.

For more on pasta check out the Five Minute Professor facebook Group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=51258148090

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Do Boating and Intercourse go Together?

You would think the answer to this question would be obvious. However, here at “Florida By Water” we are not the kinds to answer a question without first doing our research. You’d think that this kind of research would be one of those jobs that most people would gladly volunteer for. But don’t make any assumptions; the quest for truth can be a long, hard road.

The quest for knowledge took me outside of our beloved state of Florida. I boarded a plane at Jacksonville International Airport and headed to the Philadelphia International Airport. From there we traveled hours and hours (okay – only 2 hours, but it felt like longer!) by car to Lancaster County PA. Along the way we saw signs for the thriving metropolises of Virginville and Blueball. No stops for us, though. Even though they sounded like interesting places, we were in search of Intercourse.

We traveled across the rolling hills and around some beautiful farms located along routes 340 and 772 until we reached our destination. Intercourse, PA. The town was quite beautiful; it’s a major tourist attraction. Amish horses and buggy rigs filled the streets with the clitter clatter of horseshoes on the asphalt. Smells of spring filled the air. The pace was relaxed and very laid back. It’s no wonder that Intercourse is a lifestyle we all strive for!

But back to the question of the day… Do Boating and Intercourse go together? First we drove all around the area. No lakes, no navigable rivers, no boat ramps; not even a West Marine store. We decided to check with a few of the locals in the shopping district. We presented the question in a way only a true boater could appreciate. Perhaps not surprisingly, the locals did not see the humor in our question. Therefore we concluded that NO, Boating and Intercourse do not go together. The major reason — no waterways. The second, less obvious answer? If you spend all day in Intercourse, who has the energy left for boating?!

In conclusion, it was a great place to visit, but if your heart is in boating chances are you should stay in Florida. There is more to life than just Intercourse.