Trip Reports 2007

Gator
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Rock Springs Run - April 21, 2007

The weather and water were a paddler's dream for our Earth Day trip on Rock Springs Run. Barbara Fitzpatrick, George Bay, Brian Presley and Kathleen Fitzgerald enjoyed the spring green trees, crystal clear water and the mild weather that reached the upper 70's.
Bird life was abundant with egrets, herons, limpkins, ibises, and even a yellow crowned night heron. Several "gator's" in the 6 to 8 foot range were spotted along the shore. Most lounged lazily, but one made a hasty retreat into the water startling Barbara and George as it's powerful body swished right under their canoe. We had the river to ourselves for most of the trip until we got close to the confluence with the Wekiwa River.
The new owners of Kings Landing (the launch point) have improved the launch area by hauling away truckloads of debris that had accumulated along the shoreline of their canal. One can only hope they will continue to make improvements to their launch site and the dock with the hefty launch fee they are now charging. The launch fee was $10 per boat (which may explain the lack of locals on the river during such a beautiful day)!  The fee covers taking out at Wekiva Marina, but does not include parking at the marina; to leave a vehicle at the end is an additional $3.00.
Water may nourish our bodies, but paddling nourishes the spirit when you can enjoy the company of family and friends in a peaceful and beautiful place like this.
     "Kathleen Fitzgerald"

Gator Pottsburg Creek- May 19, 2007

Six kayakers met at the public boat ramp where Pottsburg Creek runs under Beach Boulevard for out paddle on Saturday, May 19. As expected, it was a breezy day with the wind mostly out of the North.  Tidal flow was not in our favor, however the paddle was not as difficult as it could have been. We took our time, relaxed and paced ourselves so that we would not get too tired and so we could enjoy the Ospreys flying about us.  There were many boats on the water and for lunch we ate together near the entrance to Silverman's Creek. We originally planned to paddle to the St John's River but due to the increasing winds, water skiers and boat traffic, we changed our minds and decided to return to the put in.
After a short break at the put in, we decided to paddle up stream which is a narrow and winding run, a completely different experience than paddling downstream.  We passed a blue heron which stood motionless as we passed and seamed to say "this is my area, pass thru if you must, but leave me alone"
This was an enjoyable paddle and a good experience for all.
     "John Mann"
 
Haw Creek Haw Creek- June 9, 2007

A hot sunny day found 19 paddlers on the creek.  This was a joint trip with the Seminole Canoe and Kayak Club and Florida Sport Paddlers, plus some guests.   We launched at 10 am and paddled downstream toward Dead Lake, about 4 miles, and then back to the put-in where we enjoyed lunch and getting to know each other.   There was quite a bit of duck weed in the creek – we felt like we were paddling on carpet!   Several alligators were seen, along with an osprey carrying a fish, an anhinga and a great blue heron.   All agreed that Haw Creek is a pretty place.   An upstream trip would be equally as nice.  FSP’ers  were John and Eva Blois, Cathy Vaughn and her guests, Erica Johnson, Mike and Joyce Johns, Earline Veltman, Keith Kelly and me.   – Ruth Marwitz

Curtis Deleon Springs - July 22, 2007

5 male and 1 female, five kayaks and a canoe paddling in pristine waters with dazzling hints of blue, green, and turquoise, as beautiful from below the surface as above.  Gliding over the water,  the scene brilliantly lit by the ever-present Florida sun. The weather was absolutely perfect, with sapphire blue skies, puffy white cumulus clouds, and gentle breezes.
You are not in a central florida water park; you are spending the day at Deleon Springs with Curtis, John, Libby, Jack, Noble and Mark, all members of  the Seminole Canoe and Kayak Club at Deleon Springs.

The springs are a small piece of the world’s largest system of natural springs, which flow from the Panhandle to Florida's southwest coast. These are the region's original tourist attraction (they brought Ponce DeLeon here in search of the Fountain of Youth after all) but, these days,  the springs are among the lesser known waters in Florida.

We launched at 9:45 AM Sunday morning and headed NorthWest through Spring Garden Lake and into Spring Garden Creek  or the "Spring Run".  Paddling along the south bank of Spring Garden lake will afford the best paddling as the northern side is shallow with submerged vegetation and hydrilla cover. On the return trip Curtis and I found out that paddling through this vegetation was akin to paddling through a green pea soup and not especially fun on a return trip during the hottest time of the day. Once we were in the run which is on the Northwest side of the lake heading West, the paddling was pleasant and  peaceful  with a slight breeze from the west cooling our bodies and spirits.

An abundance of wildlife engulfed us on the trip to Lake Woodruff and back. The ospreys are in the trees that line the lake and Spring Run and it’s good to see them (and hear them)!  Just about reaching Spring Run on the North shore of the lake, look up in the trees and you will see the osprey nest and most likely at least one of the residents in it or nearby. We observed a flight of ibis in formation, great blue and great white herons. The water was teeming with fish and of course the the gators were out, as usual,  taking an afternoon siesta on the logs just beyond the river bank. I have included my photo of a 14 foot gator that lives on the run, the photo was not taken on this trip, but I thought it may be interesting to see. We observed quite a few of these beautiful creatures, sunning on the banks or protecting their territory in the depths of the waters.

One  never gets tired of this beautiful spring run and the trip to lake Woodruff. The great blue herons were hunkered down on the waters edge in the grasses and we were able to get fairly near them for a close-up portrait before they took off. The birds change according to season and day-to-day (chicks grow into adults, migrating birds pass through) and the shoreline changes as well as the seasons pass; this really is the Bird River. 

 
 Trout Creek- August 25, 2007

11 kayakers left Trout Creek Park at 9:00 AM and paddleed upstream for a short way past the bridge at 16-A until some fallen trees blocked our way.  The forecast rain stayed away and we enjoyed a cool paddle under the hazy sky. It was only 11:00 AM when we returned to the ramp. Noble, Ruth, Libby, Rick and Cathy continued on over to the beginning of 6-Mile Creek when rumbles of thunder caused us to turn back. It was nearly 1 PM and everyone else had eaten and left, but we enjoyed lunch under a pavilion down near the water. Trout Creek is a pleasant, short paddle, mostly shady in the mornings and very little boat traffic. Paddlers were Rick Dyer, Libby Taylor, Noble Enge, Marlene Revollo, Keith Kelly, Karen and Dan Makley, Joyce Davis, Doris Burk, Cathy Vaughan and Ruth Marwitz. - Ruth Marwitz

 

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