The River Rise has an abundance of wildlife to include several species of Turtles, Otters, Deer, Snakes, Herons, Egrets, Limpkins, Owls, and Ospreys among others. The shoreline, adorned with numerous Cypress Knees, is an assortment of hardwood trees and Saw Palmetto…James
This week, we decided to paddle downstream from our launch at Bible Camp Road and head toward the Santa Fe Sink, located at O’Leno State Park. The sink is where the Santa Fe River goes underground for just over three miles before emerging at River Rise. Access to the sink is blocked at the park, a half-mile upstream, however, the two-mile paddle to the park and back was quite an adventure!…James
The last time I paddled the Upper Santa Fe River and Olustee Creek was back in February ( You can read about that paddle here ). The trees were still bare but it was a great first visit to this section of the river. Today Florida Paddle Notes revisited the same route on what started out a beautiful sunny summer day and finished with a typical Florida thunderstorm. A very enjoyable paddle! …James
2019 is over and it’s time to reflect on this past year’s paddles and offer my Top 10 choices for the year. Each year and …
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
The Ichetucknee River is a 6 mile spring-fed river, flowing through Columbia and Suwannee counties in North Central Florida. The river is part of the Ichetucknee Springs group that includes nine named springs that contribute a total of 212 million gallons of water per day. These springs include Ichetucknee Springs, Cedar Head Spring, Blue Hole Spring, Roaring/Mission Spring, Singing Springs, Devil’s Eye (Boiling Spring), Grassy Hole Spring, Mill Pond Spring, and Coffee Spring…James
