Suwannee River Part 1: Mile 171 to 127
My dad and I have been thinking about taking a canoe/kayak trip down the Suwannee River for over a year now so we finally made it a reality last week. The Suwannee River starts in the Okefenokee swamp in Georgia and meanders down through Northern Florida until it empties out into the Gulf. The Suwannee is a blackwater river caused by the tannins of the nearby plants. Also, hundreds of clear springs flow into the river which make it a popular cave diving area as well. Being such a popular river, it is now called the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, complete with free river camps along the way, but more about that later. With two canoes and a kayak strapped to the roof of the van we drove down to Florida last Friday. On Saturday the 9th we put in at White Springs, FL, at mile 171 of the river. I was going to kayak while my dad operated two connected canoes with a trolling motor attached.
Travel with boats
Loaded and Ready to Go
Day 1:
We traveresed twelve miles along a cypress tree and spanish moss lined river. During the first hour of paddling I saw the first alligator of the trip!
Turtles
Don't know what this guy is called
That night we stopped at Woods Ferry River Camp. The river camps along the way consist of screened-in sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, bathrooms with hot water, electricity, and primitive camping sites, all for free! I was really impressed with the set up and was grateful for the camps. In order to operate the canoe motor, we brought marine batteries which we needed to charge; therefore, the electricity at the river camps was essential.
First River Camp
Sleeping platform site
Day 2: 18miles Woods Ferry to Holton Creek River Camp
A beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the lower 70s-perfect paddle weather.
Limestone bank
Cave in river bank
Dad & canoes
Pure white sandy beaches were scattered along the river and made nice spots to take a lunch break.
Lunch spot
After a long day on the river we arrived at Holton Creek River Camp. The many stairs up to camp proved difficult for hauling heavy batteries, but the camp was nice and I finally got to try out my new hammock. I love it, and it is so much better than sleeping on the floor!
Holton Creek River Camp
Cozy in my hammock
Day 3: 14 miles from Holton Creek to Suwannee River State Park.
Tree with Spanish Moss overhanging the river
Cabin @ State Park
There was not a river camp where we wanted to stop for the day so we took out at a state park. We got a cabin which I was expecting to be a simple rustic thing but when we pulled up to this house I was shocked. A nice place to recuperate after three days of paddling. We also received some "river magic," like trail magic but on the river! Some nice hosts there gave us a lift to a nearby gas station so we could resupply.Since this blog post is getting long I will make another post for the remaining days and miles 127 to 76.
