Hillsborough River

Kayaked the Hillsborough River, Friday, November 28

Great egrets and ibis on the way into Trout Creek Park.

 

 Underway at 8:30

 

 

 Hidden hawk

 

 

Paddling up River

Pie billed grebes

 First alligator of the day

 

 

The Hillsborough was high, and when it narrowed up stream of Nature's Classroom, swift.

 

 

 

 Limpkins

 Forest Face

 

 

The bridge for which Morris Bridge Road, and Park, are named.  10:30.  After two guys fishing in a small motor boat just after leaving Trout Creek Park, I saw no one else during the 4 miles to Morris Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a while, I did encounter paddlers coming down river. Not to many.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sergeant Park

After 8 miles, time for a lunch break

Back on the water.  Ahead of a flotilla of young people preparing to embark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sign reads

 "Hikers Only"  With a snorkel, perhaps.

 Flooded picnic area at Morris Bridge Park

 

There's that anti bike prejudice again.

 

Not many people on the Sergeant Park to Morris Bridge, the busiest part of the River

 

River video

 

 

 

Few people on the Morris Bridge to Trout Creek section.  A few made a wrong turn.  I have made that dead end trip.  As did half the Gaggioli family a while back.  After that, a big red arrow was painted on a tree showing the route.  That arrow was under water.

 

I have seen the Hillsborough higher, but in the summer.

 

 

 

 

 Return to Trout Creek Park

 

 A peak at Trout Creek

 Coming out from a brief visit

Landed just after 4.

Had a place for the next to nights on Tampa Bay.  The Chase Inn and Suites, at Rocky Point.  That's on the east end of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

I asked if I could get a water view room.  Yes. For an additional $50.  I declined.

 So, I  had to walk the grounds for sunset

 

 My suite

 

 Full kitchen, including dishwasher.

Only the second place I've stayed that has a fireplace.  The other, the cabins at Myakka River State Park.  Make that three places.  Sweetwater Springs Cabin, too.