"It is in the wild places, where the edge of the earth meets the corners of the sky, the human spirit is fed." Art Wolf


Friday, February 17, 2017

The Last Paddles of the FL Season...sigh

Okay, I know that spring and summer will come even in Ohio but for the winter season this is it.  I am heading north tomorrow and these last paddles will have to hold me over for a few weeks or more likely months.

On Thursday Liz and I drove the cars over to Rainbow Springs and dropped one off at the pick up point to wait for us while we drove farther up river to an easy launch.   We paddled up river for about a mile or so to the head waters of the springs and then turned around and began the float/paddle down to Dunnellon.

Traveling down the river I realized how special Ocala's Silver River was in its lack of development.  Rainbow Springs appears as a wild river on one side of the water but most of the river is lined on at least one side by beautiful homes and large cottages.

In the warmer seasons several "Tubbing" vendors rent tubes for floats.  I can imagine the river filled with multicolored giant tubes and loud children and teens.   

Canoes and kayaks are available even through the winter but not all the vendors offer a shuttle service in the off season.










A couple in their fairly new Sea Eagle Explorer and their little dog, too!   They were busy taking pictures of the two scuba divers cruising down the river


Liz leads the way down a side creek/spring.





Sometimes there is fire and smoke but today the dragon just sings to the sky.






And the big boats just motored right past us.


About the time I was about to say, "Hey, we haven't seen any alligators...." 



There are a few people that might think this banner is important.  Not all Buckeyes are in Ohio.











A once grand river swing rests in peace.


And this afternoon I took the Hornbeck out on Orange Lake by myself to say good bye.





Bye Mr. Eagle....







Till we paddle back this way again.

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