Pottsburg Creek- May 19,
2007Six 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- June 9, 2007A
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
Deleon Springs - July 22, 20075 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.
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