Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run

Put the yak in at Wekiwa Springs State Park this afternoon, Weds., November 7, 2007. As Dave's Yak Tales is in its early stage, I am trying to add new trips with each report. Astute readers will recall I launched from Wekiwa Springs State Park for my first report on the site, Rock Springs Run. Indeed, I did, but this time I paddled past the confluence of the Wekiva and Rock Springs Run and continued on the Wekiva. I paddled downstream for an hour, just past a campsite, Buffalo Tram. A strong north wind was in my face. When I turned around, it almost negated the current, which you can see in the above photo.

When I put in, a young lady asked the worker at the concession about alligators. He replied "You probably won't see any" Maybe you won't, but I will, I thought. As I began to see turtles sunning on logs, I figured gators couldn't be far behind.

I figured wrong. No alligators. Bird life included

ibis, blue herons, Great Blue Herons, ibis and belted kingfishers. Human life scarce. A canoeing couple at the launch, father and son kaykers, a solo kayaker, a fisherman stopped at Goog Gal Mound, a name I just made up for the Indian Mound 45 minutes downstream with a rope swing, and a couple fishing from a small motor boat.

I returned to the confluence of the Wekiva and Rock Springs Run, and headed up the narrow Run for forty minutes. The best place I know for seeing bears. None today. Not to shabby for spotting deer, and I did see one. Additional bird life. Red shouldered hawk, limpkin, tri-colored heron to add to those seen on the Wekiva. Only two other people, the father and son I saw on the Wekiva.

As the time neared 5:30, I felt a strange sensation, something I have not experienced in 8,9 months. Cold. The north wind was the precursor of a cold front. Being Florida "Cold" is relative. According to the radio when I drove home the temp was 56. Still, in t-shirt,and swimsuit, it felt cold to me.