Flagler 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
A first new adventure in 2020 for Florida Paddle Notes…The Lower Wekiva River. It’s mid-January and a dreary morning, but hey, I’m on the water in Florida! …James
The 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
This 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
The 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
A revisit to Bulow Creek to enjoy some sunshine, Vitamin D and get out in the fresh air during the current pandemic. Below are details written from a previous paddle on the creek back in 2018. Today was a warm sunny day and a pleasant day to be on the water…James
The unusual name was given by early Spanish settlers who felt the Horseshoe Crabs looked much like cockroaches, believing them to be related to the land insects. The Horseshoe crabs are no longer as predominant in this section of the Gulf Coast as they once were. We had a beautiful sunny day to explore one of the trails called Horseshoe Run…James
With 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
This 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
It’s been over 20 years since I’ve paddled on the Upper Santa Fe River, the stretch above Oleno State Park, and a first-time paddle onto Olustee Creek. It was a beautiful spring day ( despite being February ) and I was definitely treated to an exciting new adventure! …James
