Howdee all,
On Valentines day, Jeff and I rented a canoe and toured parts of the Chassahowitzka River.
Here is the link for a few paddling loops from the campground.
We did The Springs Loop.
7 miles RT
Bring a map~and a GPS if you have it (we didn’t use ours)
Print out the directions from this link~you will need them!
Rated Moderate~we felt it was easy.
I am going to highlight my favorite springs in the Loop.
We first went to Blue Springs..
Water is very clear in most of the river..
I think these fish are Mullet.
We had to get out of the canoe and pull it for a while..
Until it couldn’t be pulled any longer…
We then proceeded of foot a short distance to The Crack.
“The Crack is a jagged crevice about 30 feet long. The clear, oval shaped pool is less than one foot deep and surrounded by forest.”
See the small fish in the pool?
We stayed here a short time enjoying the blue water…
then retraced our steps out to the stream
Onto the next spring.
I think my sickstas would probably like to have that plant growing on the dead tree..
Am I right?
It was a beautiful day for canoeing..
There were what seemed like tens of thousands of Robins in all of the side streams we went into.. Cedar waxwings mixed in.
We saw an assortment of Herons and Egrets.
In the photo below are two Tri-colored and a juvie Little Blue Heron
Oh look~my baby camera captured a flying bird!
Brown Pelican preening..
See that blob at the top of the photo?
Manatee! We saw several this day.
Crab Creek Springs..
A Beautiful Home…I think their only access to this home is by boat.
Beautiful!
We circled around the area and found a few other spring vents.
There were three spring vents.
This vent is heart shaped :)
Mottled Duck hanging out near the spring.
We then left Crab Creek Springs and paddled to
Unnamed spring
This spring has several vent areas..that are connected by caves.
Sadlly, several people have lost their lives here swimming in these caves.
We have seen a TV programme on these caves recently Dawn, why do stupid people attempt to swim in such places.
ReplyDeleteOh my.... this looks like so much fun! Great post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place! I want to go. . . Gorgeous photos too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip! Gonna have to give it a go!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure glad you were doing the paddling. My arms are sore. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove those blue water springs and all the surrounding green. Great way to spend Valentine's Day.
Are there any alligators in that river. I would have been afraid to walk in the water. Would have love to had seen the manatees though!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! You got to see a great deal of critters.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn, what a great place for canoeing. The place is just beautiful. And very cool to see the manatees, love the birds too. No gators? Great photos and I enjoyed the canoe ride.
ReplyDeleteUmmm....A mullet and a crack are what the plumber usually shows. ;) Great adventures! Nice shots of the mottled ducks. I've yet to get a good photo.
ReplyDeleteDawn, this looks glorious! What wonderful color in your photos! OH, and you won't find me swimming in any caves, or alligator or crocodile infested waters either! But I do love to canoe!
ReplyDeleteRoy~
ReplyDeleteI cant understand why people swim these caves. I think they are young kids and don't consider the consequences.
Kerri~
It was great fun and so beautiful~
Linda~
Put this place on your wish list!!
Jerry~
it was an awesome place! put it on your list!
Gaelyn
Happy to paddle for you any time!!
diane-j-m ~
There are gators! Not to worry though..they stay far away.
Steve Borichevsky ~
Yeah..its such a cool place with lots of critters to see. :P)
eileeninmd ~
There were gators..I didnt get any shots though.
John (Tucker)
Hee hee..no plumbers here!
Kathiesbirds~
Thanks Kathie~the colors were amazing! No gator swimming for me either!!!