Re: [Paddlewise] Florida Springs Paddle?

This is what Ocala & Silver River looked like in May 07.  One of my best 
kayak trips.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104857685363900679676/Ocala#


-----Original Message----- 
From: Joe P.
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 3:11 PM
To: E Sullivan ; paddle wise
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Florida Springs Paddle?

   You may be shocked.  I'm a former 'Gator and did lots of paddling in that 
area years ago.  Things have changed horribly. There has been a spate of 
water withdrawals from the aquifers there with no regulation at all. Photos 
I've recently seen show the Santa Fe as a trickle.  I too know that river 
well and have camped along it. Also the Itchtucknee (which is now a state 
park and has 'seasons').  A lot of springs seem not to have fared well 
either.  Those along the Santa Fe are heavily commercialized and often 
trashy.
   Camping's possible along the Suwannee.  The places I always liked were 
Alexander and Juniper Springs in Ocala National Forest, Hillsborough River 
near Tampa/St. Pete, The Wekiva River North of Orlando, and parts of the 
WeekiWachee river.  The Silver River (& silver springs) is nowhere near as 
good as it once was...
All these are daytrips and need a shuttle.  There's a book I ran across 
recently on "Soft Paddling in Florida" which has useful information and 
there is an outfitter's association with a website.
   I would also recommend googling Mark Renz and browsing his blog.  He's a 
photographer/amateur paleontologist down near LaBelle, but wanders all 
over...

Joe Pylka
Hopewell, NJ


-----Original Message-----
>From: E Sullivan <sullied33_at_hotmail.com>
>Sent: Jan 30, 2013 11:54 AM
>To: paddle wise <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
>Subject: [Paddlewise] Florida Springs Paddle?
>
>Paddlewisers,  Returning to my ancestral home in Florida (Hollywood!) and
>looking for a  paddle trip upstate involving springs. In the distant past 
>I've
>canoed on the Santa Fe river and camped at will next to lovely little 
>springs.
>Anybody have any insider info? We're looking for a short trip, a night or 
>two
>out. We will probably do a round trip, as we'll be just one vehicle. We'd 
>also
>entertain several day paddles not too far apart. Withlacoochee? Ocala? 
>Thanks
>y'all
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