Down the Lazy River

Several friends and I went in search of water today.  We found ourselves floating down the beautiful the river fed by the Ichetuckie Springs.  Sandy grew up and lived many years in the area and said that in the summer the river is filled shore to shore with people floating down in floats and tubes. She told us that the river is often closed by 9 or so in the morning as it is already filled to capacity.  Since it is spring fed the temperatures are in that 72 degree range year around.  Come summer that chill is a great relief from the heat and humidity.  No kayaks are allowed on the river in the summer because there isn't any room.   

We were all glad that it was not summer.  There were very few other folks out today and the river was ours.

Liz was chief helper at the dock.

Helping Sandy launch her new kayak.

 Liz was voted most able to get safety into her own kayak from the dock without help without landing in the water.

And down the river we went.

The water wasn't quite as clear as the water in the springs around the Crystal River but clear enough to look down and see the fish and the white sand......

Near the end of our paddle two paddlers that had passed us a couple of times came past one more time as they were following a manatee that was steadily swimming up river. The manatee was swimming just right of her bow.

That was our surprise for the day.  Tomorrow we will recheck the weather report for this week and see what other opportunities present themselves.  There are many rivers to choose from in the is area of Florida.