It was a very relaxing paddle with a hint of Fall in the air. The water was clean on both rivers and the lack of Tannin in the Santa Fe River was quite noticeable. Herons, Egrets, several species of Limpkins, an Eagle, and plenty of Turtles, were viewed, especially on the Ichetucknee. The fact that it is Fall, the tubing season being over and it being a weekday made for the peaceful solitude we were able to enjoy!…James
Gissy Spring is a privately owned spring that flows into Indian Creek and travels 0.40 miles southwest into the Rainbow River. The spring actually has 2 vents, formerly known as Indian Creek Spring #3 and Indian Creek Spring #4. The spring discharges into a circular bowl-shaped depression 80 ft. in diameter and discharges from a 15.5 ft deep sand vent strewn with limestone boulders…James
A beautiful Saturday afternoon in October and Florida Paddle Notes is on the Chassahowitzka River with the destination Beteejay Spring in Crawford Creek. It is a first time to paddle Crawford Creek as well as Beteejay Spring, the weather is perfect and we headed out looking forward to a new adventure! …James
It’s October and Florida Paddle Notes is back on the Suwannee River. This is a repeat paddle of one done in July, posted here…the water was about 2′ lower than July giving us a whole new perspective of several of the springs. Also of note, this is a school day and there were very few folks on the river making for a very enjoyable paddle! The weather was in the low 90°s, partly cloudy, and low humidity…al made for a good paddle!…James
This was an overcast day, temperatures in the low 90°’s with an occasional rain shower. The paddle takes us, along with the Boll Green Aquaholics, from the Kirkpatrick Dam Canoe/Kayak Launch at Rodman dam, 7.25 miles East to Hwy 19 at the Johnson Field Boat Ramp. The paddle is slow and easy, the water is high and there is quite a bit of downfall due to previous storms, however, nothing interfered with the paddle…James
We decided to do an exploratory paddle this week on Sweetwater Creek. The creek was a tributary to the Ocklawaha River, but now, unfortunately, a tributary to Rodman Reservoir. The Creek forms in the swampland north of the Ocklawaha and has a navigable distance of 3 miles depending on the water lettuce, which forms large clogs throughout the creek…James
Back on the Silver River again. An overcast day, breezy with a touch of Fall in the air. The water was high with a nice flow. More monkeys today than I’ve ever seen on the Silver River!…James
Kings Bay, Crystal River, and Three Sisters Springs are famous for being one of the largest sanctuaries for manatees in the United States. Manatee ‘season’ at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, begins in mid-November and continues to late March…James
Bear Creek is a wonderful paddle through a typical Bottomland Hardwood Forest. Often flooded, bottomland forests are characterized by Cypress, Gum, Ash, Maple among others. The trunks are usually fluted and often form a tangled canopy overhead. The shoreline is loosely defined with the typical ‘Swamp Smell’, which are gases produced by decaying bacteria and vegetation. Bear Creek is known for its diversity of Flora and Fauna.
The Tomoka River is a 19.6 mile, north-northeast flowing river, originating in Volusia County just West of Port Orange. It flows and empties into the Halifax River and the Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The river is narrow and canopied upstream and opens up near Hwy 40 as it flows to the coastal marsh near Tomoka State Park…James
