Florida
While leaving and returning, there were snow storms, However, we managed to do a Florida paddling trip. Weather was sunny and in the 70's. The rivers offered a change of scenery and abundant wildlife. Oh, let's not forget the great restaurants in Daytona and surrounding areas.
Trip Reports by Mike McClanahan
Juniper Creek
12-01-03
Juniper Creek originates at Juniper Springs (where else?) located in the Ocala National Forest on Rt. 40. The Springs are located in the campground where we stayed while in Fla. It meanders, like most Fla. Streams, for 7 miles going from about 15 ft. wide to about 40 ft. at the take-out on Rt. 19. The rangers maintain a livery and keep the stream navigable by cutting out most obstructions. The stream is pretty heavily used during season, but we still had to duck under numerous trees. The closeness at the beginning and the way the stream braids out in the swamp area make this a great experience. The wildlife isn’t as plentiful as The Silver River but the creek is still great. The closeness isn’t like much we experience in WV. When running this and all Fla. rivers, you have time to really look at your surroundings. When running wild water you seldom have time to really look around you and enjoy the beauty of nature. You’re looking to avoid the next hazard. That just isn’t much of a problem. We did see evidence of novice swims even on this creek. Shoes and other items left by the unwary. At the only landing on the creek, we observed a near capsize by a couple from Germany. Although there is little current, it will sneak up and bite the unwary.
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Silver River to
Silver Springs
12-02-03
“OH SHIT” exclaimed Bruce Fleckenstein, AKA: Gator Bait, when an 8' gator surfaced unnoticed near his canoe. The gator had been pointed out by a passenger in one of the glass bottom boats in Silver Springs Fla. We watched it for a while, lying on the bottom in about 30 ft. of water. We thought it was stuffed, till it moved. We lost interest and moved on, except Bruce. He stayed, and received the surprise of his life. He then beat a quick retreat. Ever seen a canoe up on plane? We had a 3½ mile upstream paddle on the Silver River to get to the Springs. It took about 3 hrs. to reach the springs from the put-in on Rt. 40. It was difficult. We almost had a rebellion when Melissa became fatigued by the constant paddling with no letup from the unforgiving current. Myriad wildlife engulfed us on the trip up and back. We were entertained by flights of Ibis in formation over us time and again. We observed Great Blue and Great White Herons. Not to mention the lesser White Herons. Also Green herons. We studiously avoided paddling under the Cormorants. They have a tendency to “lighten their load” before or just after taking off. They still managed to find Bruce’s canoe. Of course there were King Fishers, who were not too impressed with our presence. I’m sure I missed some species. There were so many, I just can’t remember them all. (A tree full of Buzzards) Then there were the aquatic animals. Bruce once again had a close encounter with a gator when attempting to photograph a 6 footer. We had noticed it and a 4 footer on river right and had called Bruce up for a photo opportunity. The 4 footer slipped into the water shortly before he got there. He apparently got too close for the smaller gator’s comfort and it activated it’s defense mechanism and roiled up the water right by his canoe. He got his picture and a big surprise. We saw so many Painted Turtles that we didn’t try to count them all. We also saw a 10 ft. gator basking in the sun at Silver Springs. Needless to say, we gave it a wide berth. It was big enough to do some serious damage. There were also Otters frolicking in the waters of Silver Springs. We saw some large fresh water fish up to 2½ ft long. No we couldn’t identify them. Florida doesn’t allow fishing on the Silver River, so we weren’t allowed to wet a line. The only land animals observed were monkeys. They escaped in the 30’s while Tarzan movies were being filmed and have thrived. Melissa especially wanted to see the only wild monkeys in the U.S. They gave us a good show on the way back down the river by climbing trees and shaking them violently. Paddling back downstream took only 75 minutes. Going up we gained only 3 or 4 feet per stroke. Downstream was more like 16 to 20 feet per stroke. All the streams we paddled were spring fed and had noticeable current. The Silver River was the only one where we were required to paddle upstream. The State of Florida doesn’t allow us to land at Silver Springs. Still, all and all, it was another beautiful day on the river. I know this isn’t the kind of paddling we are used to. It was flat water against the current. Who ever paddles very far up stream in West Virginia? All and all it was a pleasant experience to just kind of lay back and travel the meandering rivers of Florida.
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Monkeys
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Gators
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Ichetucknee River
12-03-03
The Ichetucknee is located on the far side of Gainesville from our camp at Juniper Springs. Again, it is a spring fed river. It is used for tubing by thousands of University of Florida students yearly and has a pretty good current. We picked this river to recover from our upstream paddle to Silver Springs the day before. Again, it meanders, but is scenic and just what the Dr. ordered for that day. There isn’t anything of consequence on the river. We were able to paddle up to several secondary springs. On one of these we saw some Wood Ducks. They are becoming rare these days. We also saw Great Blue Herons and Great White Herons. Many Painted Turtles were seen. We peacefully floated and had to put little effort to make headway. It was just another relaxing day on the river.
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Alexander Creek
12-04-03
The put-in for Alexander Creek is about 1½ miles below Alexander Springs and is only about 4 miles away from the take-out by road. We couldn’t imagine how the run would be 7 miles, but it was. Remember the word “meandering”. Alexander Creek was that, in spades. Bruce saw a small gator while we were running shuttle. Again there was ample wildlife. Melissa spotted an 8 ft. gator sunning itself in the hibiscus about half way through the trip. Dave was too close again and got the attention of the gator. It stirred and started moving towards us in the water. It’s amazing how your stroke picks up when a large lizard takes interest in you. Later, Bruce told me “That S.O.B. was after me.” Yep. You gotta pay attention. We had an eventful paddle. It was longer than we anticipated, but wonderful. The stream became very channelized near the end. We spent a lot of time looking for the take out, but in time, it appeared and we ended our odyssey. The next day we packed and left back for the snow and rain. The trip was a great experience. I think I will put on on my annual itinerary.
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