International Header

Astral: How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a record-breaking thru hiker, entrepreneur, mother, public speaker and published author.

Astral: How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

Last updated:
February 21, 2023
|  5 min read

Astral: How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

Astral: How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

YouTube video highlight

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a record-breaking thru hiker, entrepreneur, mother, public speaker and published author.

Read more about the project

Astral: How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a record-breaking thru hiker, entrepreneur, mother, public speaker and published author. Needless to say, she knows a thing or two about pushing through new and uncomfortable experiences. Or so she thought! Read on to find out what she and her family experienced on a recent kayaking trip in the Everglades and tips for how they will plan their next kayak trip to Everglades NP differently.

/////

My family and I went on a three day / two night paddle in Everglades National Park last year. I wish I could say it was life changing. In a way, I guess it was. In that my husband may never convince me to go on another paddle for the rest of my life. I’m kidding. I think.

We learned a lot. A lot that can be applied to future trips and a lot worth sharing with other paddle newbies like ourselves. So in an effort to let our pain and suffering not go to waste, I will share a thing or two with you here.


But first, some context. We are adventurers. We have spent a LOT of time in national parks. Our kids are young (9 and 5) but I would say they’re tougher than most. My husband grew up taking weeklong river trips with his family as a teen. And we get on the water a half dozen times or so every summer.

We did our homework. We talked to a friend who convinced us this would be a good idea. He’s someone we trust. Well, used to trust. I’m kidding. I think. But he had done these trips for years with his sons. They’re big into fishing and they come down from New Hampshire every January. We came down from North Carolina in April. There were big differences between his experience and ours. Here are a few of them.

Astral: How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a record-breaking thru hiker, entrepreneur, mother, public speaker and published author. Needless to say, she knows a thing or two about pushing through new and uncomfortable experiences. Or so she thought! Read on to find out what she and her family experienced on a recent kayaking trip in the Everglades and tips for how they will plan their next kayak trip to Everglades NP differently.

/////

My family and I went on a three day / two night paddle in Everglades National Park last year. I wish I could say it was life changing. In a way, I guess it was. In that my husband may never convince me to go on another paddle for the rest of my life. I’m kidding. I think.

We learned a lot. A lot that can be applied to future trips and a lot worth sharing with other paddle newbies like ourselves. So in an effort to let our pain and suffering not go to waste, I will share a thing or two with you here.


But first, some context. We are adventurers. We have spent a LOT of time in national parks. Our kids are young (9 and 5) but I would say they’re tougher than most. My husband grew up taking weeklong river trips with his family as a teen. And we get on the water a half dozen times or so every summer.

We did our homework. We talked to a friend who convinced us this would be a good idea. He’s someone we trust. Well, used to trust. I’m kidding. I think. But he had done these trips for years with his sons. They’re big into fishing and they come down from New Hampshire every January. We came down from North Carolina in April. There were big differences between his experience and ours. Here are a few of them.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Hiker, Speaker, Author
Jennifer Pharr Davis
Jennifer Pharr Davis is an internationally recognized adventurer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails on six different continents.
Media Mentions

Astral: How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

How to Plan Your First Kayak Trip – Lessons from the Everglades

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a record-breaking thru hiker, entrepreneur, mother, public speaker and published author. Needless to say, she knows a thing or two about pushing through new and uncomfortable experiences. Or so she thought! Read on to find out what she and her family experienced on a recent kayaking trip in the Everglades and tips for how they will plan their next kayak trip to Everglades NP differently.

/////

My family and I went on a three day / two night paddle in Everglades National Park last year. I wish I could say it was life changing. In a way, I guess it was. In that my husband may never convince me to go on another paddle for the rest of my life. I’m kidding. I think.

We learned a lot. A lot that can be applied to future trips and a lot worth sharing with other paddle newbies like ourselves. So in an effort to let our pain and suffering not go to waste, I will share a thing or two with you here.


But first, some context. We are adventurers. We have spent a LOT of time in national parks. Our kids are young (9 and 5) but I would say they’re tougher than most. My husband grew up taking weeklong river trips with his family as a teen. And we get on the water a half dozen times or so every summer.

We did our homework. We talked to a friend who convinced us this would be a good idea. He’s someone we trust. Well, used to trust. I’m kidding. I think. But he had done these trips for years with his sons. They’re big into fishing and they come down from New Hampshire every January. We came down from North Carolina in April. There were big differences between his experience and ours. Here are a few of them.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Hiker, Speaker, Author
Jennifer Pharr Davis
Jennifer Pharr Davis is an internationally recognized adventurer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails on six different continents.
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
January 21, 2026
6 Min
The Telegraph: Baby Wraps Treated With Insecticide Could Help Slash Malaria Cases, Say Researchers
Read More

Media Mentions

This particular formula is nongreasy, nonsticky, and lacks a strong odor, making it highly appealing for direct skin application.

Jill Di Donato
Writer

Media Mentions

The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti
Communications and Engagement

Media Mentions

If you’ve got a ton of camping gear to treat: Sawyer Premium permethrin insect repellent, 24 ounces with a trigger spray

Beth Skwarecki
Senior Health Editor
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory