The leech incident. One planted itself firmly on Tracy’s ankle and quickly became a very unwelcome hitchhiker. She recovered bravely and we all slipped in some kayaking time and a little more playing in the lake to cool off. It is hitting the 90s here and quite humid so mid day really slows one down.
Glassy smooth and fog shrouded. Kent and I slid the kayaks along the lakeshore and enjoyed the unveiling as the fog lifted and the local wildlife awoke.
After breakfast, we are up for some more time on the water. It is quite the scene. Bright colored kayaks are stacked crosswise on the boat as we meander the campground loops, make our way to the ramp, and launch. Kent struggles to see over the pile as the boat comes up on plane. This is certainly the fastest these kayaks will ever move! Across the lake we find a smooth bay with undeveloped shoreline and Brian and I set out to explore.
The lake bottom is a bit mucky and we struggle to keep our water shoes from being sucked right off our feet with every step. We are getting better at getting into the kayaks but I suspect there is an easier way than the straddle method we are using.
We are on our way. This bay is home for many: A mama mallard and her ducklings swam right past us. A pair of swans gracefully kept their distance. Lots of turtles, swimming and sunning. A hawk being harassed by black birds. A close up view of lily pad blossoms, bright yellow and delicate white. Frogs croaking from deep in the reeds.
We cross the lake and make our way to sand bar and shady bank to meet back up with Kent.
Nap time for me and the guys set out for a bit more paddling. Brian probably logged nearly 4 hours in the kayak today. I think maybe he enjoys it.
We (Kent, myself, and Brian) are getting the hang of it…I think. First an hour or so on a smooth, protected channel that’s maybe 5 foot deep at its deepest. There were some fairly ungraceful moves in and out but no mishaps and no aches and pains.
Day two, wind waves and power boat chop made paddling a bit more challenging. Tomorrow morning we will see what our shoulders have to say. Paddling works a few otherwise underutilized muscles.
We bought Kayaks. I can’t wait to get them out on the water.
Wow, our trailer is getting full!
We got the kayaks all settled in so they will ride without beating themselves up against other stuff and/or falling on the Miata. Kent worked at it quite a while. I think maybe we have maxed out on toys for the road.
The canoe slipped along the crystal clear water through the half-light of chilly, fog drenched air. It was wonderfully silent. Moss draped live oak 
and stately cypress line the banks. A near continuous bed of eel grass bent in the current below us. It is 6:30 in the morning and 35F. We are floating down the Ichetucknee River from its headspring where 67 million gallons of 72F water wells up from the ground everyday. Tributary springs add to the flow to total 212 million gallons a day that then flows toward the SuwanneeRiver.
Unusual visitors
The Suwannee is above flood stage and backing up into the tributaries including the Ichetucknee; so the water is wide and deeper than usual all the way to the Gulf. The manatees take advantage of the opportunity to move up stream to warm water and plenty to eat. They didn’t seem to mind us watching them mill around below us.
It was a great trip for wildlife overall. River otters criss-crossed in front of us. Turtles and lots of fish, including pretty big Gar swam below. As for birds, we saw lots of the usual: great blue heron, egrets, little blue heron, coots, and osprey. Two black capped night heron and a sora rail made appearances. We don’t see them very often.
Overall, fantastic. It only took us a couple hours to thaw out our fingers and toes.
The slight splash of paddles, the song of warbles hidden in the canopy, the swish of wading birds lifting off as we approached and the muffled grunts of the alligators tucked back in the mangroves. A few hours in a canoe wandering among the mangroves and reeds made for a great morning. We saw a few new birds and more gators but the best part is just the feel of the place. Peaceful. Amazing. Rare.