Blackwater Creek

 

Returned to the Seminole State Forest, Sunday.  Thought about changing the 14 foot Tsunami for the 12 foot Pungo.  Better to get past the downed trees.  But, I did not get out of bed until 7:45 so I went with what was on the car.

 

 Underway at 9:23.  Up Blackwater Creek.

The deer carcass was on the other side of the Creek from where it had been Saturday afternoon.

 The up Creek paddle is always blocked.  10:03 when I turned back

Moccasin Springs camp, still empty.  On a perfect weekend.  Maybe a little warm for December.  80's.

 Passed the launch site at 10:50

 It was crowded on Blackwater Creek.  Father and son in a canoe, and a couple in a tandem kayak.  Both coming up Creek. The latter asked if I was "going all the way"  Despite the personal nature of the inquiry, I said I did not want to deal with the log, and would turn back there.

Some kind soul had cut away the second branches.  So, I went through the gap in the main log and made it to my sometimes break spot, below.

 I did not take a break, but turned around. My eighth day paddling in the last 9, I wanted to go all the way to the Wekiva, but the return may have been tiring.

All the gators today were bigger than the tiny ones I saw Saturday.

Saw an otter, went under before I could get a photo.

The fuzzy pic above has a story.  I was looking at yet another 12-18 inch gator near the water.  Looking up, an adult was 10-15 yards back on the bank.  It saw me, raised up, and ran into the Creek.  I got a few drops from the splash.

 This gator leisurely entered the water.

 Landed at 2:25.  Had a sandwich, and a nice chat with a gentleman who has been coming here for many years.  Then, a bike ride.  But not for long.  sssssss. Not a snake, a flat.  I don't feel like changing the tube.  And, I left the pump in the car.  Which was a short walk away.  I decided to lean the bike against a signpost and walk instead.

 

 On the blue blazed Sulphur Island Loop

 

 

A flock of turkeys ran ahead of me. Just out of camera range

 The trail comes out on to the road near Shark Tooth Spring.  I took the scenic detour.

The last part of the Loop is on the road

 3.7 miles.  With a detour to Shark Tooth Spring and to my bike, I did 4.

This was the first time I walked this trail.  I tried once before.  Made the mistake of starting on the horse trail.  On the right in the photo below.  Walked a long time that day.  A lot on the Forest roads.  A walk that put the idea of getting a trail bike in my head.

 

Sunset over Bear Pond ended the day.