Florida Paddle Notes

Haw Creek – April 2020

Tillandsia - Bromeliad - Haw CreekFlagler County has opened the launch at Russell Landing in Haw Creek Preserve. My kayaking adventures have been quite a bit curtailed due to the Covid-19 virus, so we are being quite careful with our adventures for the time being. Today however, going solo, I decided to get a very early start and head over to Haw Creek. The weather was perfect and I felt getting an early start would have minimal other paddlers. I was not disappointed, I was all alone…James

Little Manatee River

Little Manatee River CanopyThe third of three new paddle spots on our camping weekend in Hillsborough County. On this day we launched and paddled the Little Manatee River. This river is winding, shallow and narrow. There was a lot blooming on this trip through canopied and open stretches. An easy, quiet paddle…James

Americas Most Endangered Rivers – The Ocklawaha River #9

An Ocklawaha MorningThis week the Ocklawaha River was added, at #9, to the list of Americas Most Endangered Rivers! If you have ever paddled this river during a Rodman drawdown, you will understand the significance of this designation. It is definitely not a list we want to see one of our Florida’s waterways on! Let’s hope this brings added attention to the cause for restoring this awesome river!…James

Alafia River

Rest Stop - Alafia RiverThe second of three new paddle spots on this camping weekend in Hillsborough County. On this day we launched and paddled the Alafia River…what a treat it was! A narrow, winding river, with lush canopies, clear incoming streams, and numerous shoals to provide some thrills along the 10-mile route. We will certainly return to this river!…James

Sweetwater Creek 2020

Gator Face Off - Sweetwater CreekWith the Rodman Reservoir drawdown ending, it was time to revisit Sweetwater Creek and Deep Creek while the water was at a low level. On a previous paddle in September 2019, the water level was quite a bit higher and much of the paddle was over the hundreds of tree stumps killed by the reservoir waters…James

The Ocklawaha Drawdown is Over

An Ocklawaha MorningThis past Saturday, Feb 29th, we paddled the 14 mile stretch from Eureka West to Orange Springs and enjoyed Cannon Springs for the last time until the next drawdown. It’s sad to see so many dead trees as well as current, Palms and Cypress, decaying before our eyes due to the high water caused by damming the Ocklawaha. Seeing so many tree seedlings sprouting on the banks, nature’s natural, forest regeneration, happening before our eyes, only to be covered over to die, is disheartening…James