RE: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Florida

From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 08:28:09 -0500
Sam asked.... Any suggestions for kayaking in Florida on the Gulf
side...


Sam, I did a week long trip at the end of last February to Citrus
County, just north of Tampa.  I camped at a State Park and did day
trips, some of which involved a small drive to a different put-in.

The Park I camped at is on the Chassahowitzka (spelled wrong, I'm sure)
River.  There's also the Homossassa (also probably spelled wrong) River,
and lots of other smaller rivers.  

The area is a natural wildlife area, has a 40 or 50 mile water trail
with camping chickees along the way, and has about a gazillion little
islands.  The paddle is open or protected, marsh grasses, woods or
"jungle"... take your pick. 

Lots of wildlife to view, and if you go at the right time of year, there
are lots of manatee.  Careful, though.  They didn't seem too bright and
on two occasions they surfaced close enough to run into the kayak and
nearly capsized me. It wasn't aggression - seemed to startle them even
more than it did me.  I saw manatee in all my paddling locations, but
the best viewing is in Kings Bay.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and if I go back, will extend the
trip to do a couple other nearby locations that were recommended to me,
but I didn't get a chance to do.

I have lots of details in a trip report, including mileages, web-sites,
fees, addresses, phone numbers, chart numbers, etc. and pictures, if you
have a further interest in that location.  Let me know, and I'll send it
as an attachment (I don't have a web-site).

Rick - Poquoson, VA

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Received on Tue Feb 18 2003 - 05:28:37 PST

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