Mosquito Lagoon Mar. 15, 2009

Mosquito Lagoon - We went out to Haulover Canal to put in to see the

Discovery Shuttle Launch. We got out there a few hours early and paddled around to see the sights and came upon a dolphin just cruising in a small cove. We then paddled down a small path and saw many horseshoe crabs along the banks. We then saw a great place to bank our yak and settle in to see the shuttle launch. The launch was awesome. We have never been this close to a launch before and will never forget it. As the shuttle was taking off and in the air the roar of the engines could be heard across the lagoon and the sky lit up. We will definitely go and see another launch before they retire the fleet of shuttles.

Snake Creek Loop - Mar. 14, 2009

Blue Springs - We went out today to paddle snake creek loop. We first checked out the run to see if any manatees were still hanging out, but no luck today. The south side of snake creek was a little scary. We had to paddle through some areas of lily pads not knowing what could linger underneath. The loop around Hontoon Island on snake creek and starks cutoff was a total of 10 miles. We did see many birds

hanging out and hunting for lunch. It was a great day to go out and paddle.

Silver River/Silver Springs - Mar. 8, 2009

Silver River - What a beautiful day to be out paddling. We put in at Ray Wayside Park (cost $5 to park and launch). We took off around 10am and traveled down the canal and hung a right. As soon as we started upstream the Silver river we felt the current which was pretty strong. But after about a mile and a half we forgot all about the current when we came upon the cute monkeys. We pulled into some lilypads and watched them play and show off for us. We then went on paddling upstream and came upon many types of birds and of course many alligators either sunning on logs or on patches of plants. We kept paddling to the end and enjoyed the sites of Silver Springs. The water was really clear and looking over the boat we could see all the way to the bottom and see the fish and turtles swimming around. We pulled to a small cove and ate our lunch before paddling back. The way back was relaxing and easy since we were going downstream. We were warned by fellow canoeists that there was a gator to our right and it was a big one, about an 8 to 10 footer only about an oar length from our yak. We did see his eyes looking around so he must have been looking at us when we were looking at him. We passed by the monkeys again and snapped a few pictures as they posed and we pulled out of the water around 4pm. A great place to paddle and we definetly will go back.

Rock Springs Run - Mar. 1, 2009

Wekiva River- We did it!! Rock Springs Run. Great day on the river. We saw an alligator, raccoon, otter, many turtles, and birds. We took off from the Wekiva marina at 10am and traveled upstream on rock springs run and made it to kings landing by 3pm. Stopped in shallow water for lunch and took off at 3:30pm downstream back to the marina. We made it back at 5:30pm and completed the run totaling 22.67miles.

Fort De Soto Park - Feb. 15, 2009

Fort De Soto Park – A nice morning to go paddling and our yak is in the water. Storm wasn’t expected for another 3 hours. We were in the water and passed by a few dolphins along the way to Shell Key. As we got around the corner to turn back a front of fog came over us and the bay went from sunny to dark in the matter of minutes. Overall it was still a great paddle.

Weedon Island Preserve - Feb. 14, 2009

Weedon Island Preserve is a great place to kayak in the gulf. Park is kayak and canoe friendly, it has a boat ramp just for these boats and they also have rentals. The paddling trail is very well marked with signs and is only 4 miles long. You go through mangroves and open water. Mullet is always jumping and dolphins can be seen around you. Best place we have been yet. A must place to paddle.

Tomoka River - Jan. 24, 2009

Tomoka River – Great river to paddle. Has many mangroves and the boats in the channel are very aware of kayakers and canoeists. We launched from the park which had a boat ramp. We put in and traveled up the Tomoka river and took a detour down Strickland Creek and then to Thompson Creek. It was very quiet and a lot of mullet jumping all around in the creeks. We came back out onto the Tomoka river and then paddled into the Halifax River. We paddled for about 3 hours and covered about 12 miles and had a great time.

Blue Springs - Jan. 5, 2009

Blue Springs and St. Johns River - A great place to see manatees hanging out in the warmer waters of the springs. The manatees are curious creatures that came right up to the boat to check us out. It's a great place to paddle, the run will be open later in the spring when the manatees move and you can paddle up the St. Johns to Hontoon Island. There is a 10 mile loop thru Snake Creek to Hontoon Island back to Blue Springs State Park.