Robert Jones for years was my canoe partner upon the waters of Suwannee, Santa Fe, Itchetucknee and others of memory. We drove down to Longwood to pick out the first of several canoes, a fourteen foot Mohawk he dubbed Dougon after the ancient Manatee. We soon outgrew that one and journeyed back to the factory to purchase a seventeen foot white Kevlar fiberglass version of the Blazer. Robert and I first met in the early eighties via the Lake City Runners Club, where in his fifties, he was one of the fastest in his age group. A retired Air Force Photographer, with his vintage Nikon F, we would go on many photographic ventures. A very studied, deliberate style in contrast to my speedy way, we were an odd couple. Our favorite time of year when not paddling, was to take his yellow and white VW camper bus to North Georgia and the Carolina's in the fall to camp and photograph. Again, fastidious and deliberate in getting ready each morning, I was always jumping at the bit to go.
Never marrying and me single up until 1986, we had plenty of time to pursue the photography, biking, canoeing, camping and running.
In addition, as a fellow artist, he in oils, me in pen and ink, we used the photography as subject matter for our works.
Robert is still with us as I write this. He is in his upper eighties, spends most of his time at his home and at his sisters son's home. I stop by whenever I can and we talk of the old days. Of how he found this treasure in the Suwannee while Scuba diving, of how there were no shadows under his feet as he crossed the finish line of the Jacksonville Marathon in the photo finish. Of how we should get the old runners together. How he wants to start painting. Get the bike down and air it up. Take the solo Mad River canoe out from the shed. Much talk, little action these days. While he called himself a treasure hunter, I will always treasure the friendship I had with Bob Jones.
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