Rock Springs Run

I never took the kayak off the car after my Econlockhatchee River trip Thursday. Why bother, when I'd be paddling again in two days? That day was today, Saturday, November 14, 2009, I went to Wekiwa Springs State Park after working to noon. Its deer season, and I thought I'd see about five or six. Not quite, "only" four. I was able to get photos of each one.


I launched at 12:45. Beautiful day, blue sky, minimal wind, 70's. Maybe 15 paddle craft on the Wekiva as I paddled down to Rock Springs Run. One of the paddle craft, a canoe, had an electric motor. "They've got to replace the missing no motor sign" "What?" "Motors aren't allowed here" The "No Motors" sign, just downstream of the Wekiva/ Rock Springs Run confluence has been missing for months. I've got to remember to mention it my next visit. I'd think with the fee increase, the State would have the funds to replace it.

With all the people on the water, I did not get my first pictures until I headed up Rock Springs Run.

I passed two or three canoes as I headed up Rock Springs Run. Less than 10 came down stream, some who had come down from Kings Landing, identified by the yellow canoes, others up and back from the Wekiva, identified by State Park or Wekiwa Island rentals, other private craft, who knows where the started. I figured I'd have the Run to myself when I turned around. I had it to myself from before the "2 miles to Kings Landing Takeout " sign to the twisty area on just down run of Otter Camp. There, I passed a woman easily paddling a 13 foot kayak. I know because "13" was emblazoned on the hull. "13 is the number to be" I said as I had to back paddle to turn my 14 footer. But I like it. My sleek, long, red, Wilderness Tsunami got three "cool kayak' comments from kids 8 to 48 earlier in the day.

Paddled past Otter Camp, which was occupied buy what I assumed were paddler taking a break, no tent set up, nothing but a cooler in one of the canoes. On to Indian Mound, where a guy sat on a bench, looking as his shoes, which were in his hands. I did not see a boat, he must have walked via the trails in Rock Springs Run State Reserve. Passed Big Buck Camp, no canoes or kayaks that I could see. But, with the campsite out of view, campers could have pulled them up the trail, out of site. I thought I may have the Run to myself. And I did, well into the wooded section upstream of Big Buck.

Just as I was considering turning back, three kayakers drifted downstream. So, I went on, wanting them to get down Run before I followed. I was in a very scenic of the Run.

I turned around at 3:00 and slowly drifted down stream. Extra slow, as the last kayakers I encountered had been in no hurry. Must be Yak Tales readers. My slow pace paid off, as 40 minutes after the turn, back in the more open area of Rock Springs Run, I saw two deer on the right bank. At first, I could not get a picture as they were in thick brush. I could hear the crunch as they chewed on tender stalks, ignoring my presence. Eventually, the pair slowly walked up the Run, along the bank. That's where I got my photos.

Down the Run, I heard voices. Had I caught the kayaking trio? No, the voices were coming from the land, to my right. Either hikers, or back camp campers at Camp Cozy, a primitive site about a mile further up the hiking trail that I walked to Big Buck last Sunday. I think it was campers, as at the end of the day, when I made the deer drive to Sand Lake, two unoccupied cars were in the parking lot, after sunset. I assume they belonged to voices I heard as I paddled down Rock Springs Run, and had hiked to Camp Cozy from Sand Lake. It was the first time I've heard voices coming from the backpack camping site. I stopped at Big Buck, just down the Run. Had a cookie, replenished my water bottle, and continued down Rock Springs Run.

I encountered the trio I saw earlier, taking a break just up Run of the twisty area below Otter Camp. Which, like Indian Mound, was empty. I paddled quickly through the curves to get ahead of them, slowing down to enjoy the scenery.




I slowed even more as I left the wooded area and entered the second open, low grassy area. Deer habitat. I slowed again, as I heard, then saw, a couple in a canoe, paddling and chatting. I never get over how far sound carries over water. Now, the three kayakers were on my tail, so I pulled over, near the "2 Miles To Kings Landing Take Out" sign. "Deer?" one asked, as they went by. "No" But, I figured my deer chances would improve as I let the noisy canoeing pair, and the three kayakers, not noisy, but three guys conversing in an otherwise empty wild area, detracts from the experience, so I waited until they were out of sight and sound. It paid off. That made three, rather small does for the afternoon. But, I soon heard something in the water ahead. A steady, wading sound. Had to be a deer. I came around a bend, caught a peek at antlers. Slowly paddled, so not to disturb the buck. Which paid no attention to me.

Which is just fine for taking pictures. Too bad I did not get one when it was looking at me. I saw the buck just before 5, 30 minutes later, I returned to Wekiwa Springs State Park. Did not see any deer on the now traditional drive to Sand Lake. Or at the Lake, or on the return.