Paddling the Panhandle with Tom

Outside of my family, I have known no person longer than Tom G.  On second thought, I've know Tom longer than my younger brother and sister. We spent a lot of time on the water as we grew up, both on joint family vacations to Lake Tomahawk, and camping on "The Island" in Lake Sinississippi.  We have both lived in the south over 20 years.  Tom is now just across the Florida border in Alabama.  I figured the Tallahasse are was about half way for both of us.  Tom had to drive a little farther than I to get to Ecofina River State Park.

After breakfast in the small unit--good thing we are good friends, and both have 6 siblings, so we know how to carve out an indvidual space in tight quarters - actualy, we ate on the patio-, we headed to the Wacissa River.  In the water shortly after 10.

On our way at 10:10.

Over Cassidy Spring.

Blue Spring.  That's not fog.  Dirty lens.

Speaking of artifacts, there was a square, wooden, raft, well down stream of Blue Spring.   Was it the raft that has been seen in Blue Spring?   Peggy S. sent me an email saying the "floating dock" is sometimes at near the spring at the launch site.  Boaters must tow it.

Always good to get an eagle in flight.

We turned around at 12:10.

Paddled into  pretty good wind.  And current.   Stopped for a break at a spot on the left side at 12:45. Wonder where the trail goes.

Back to the Wacissa River.

I think we saw one canoe and two kayaks. No power boats.

Just in time for Halloween.  Headless osprey.

Landed at 2:15.  Next stop, the Wakulla River.  Not the State Park, but just outside.  Putting in at the Wakulla County Road 365 bridge.  I had noticed a "Manatee Area" sign on Friday.

In the water at 3:30.   Can't go far up River.

Well, you could duck under the barbed wire on the bottom of the fence.  We did not.

 We drifted down the River, pushed by the Spring flow.  And wind.  30 minutes down stream, I spotted a satellite tagged manatee.

Tom's first or, first three manatees.

The manatees swam up the River.  We paddled the same way. The trio disappeared as a noisy group, some paddling, some on rafts, some swimming, came down the Wakulla River.

How canoes were invented. Lightning hollowing out trees.

We landed at 4:40.  Next stop, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.  Entrance south of US 98, $5 fee per car.  If memory serves, the paved road through the Refuge is 7 miles long.  Passing waterways, canals and wide open spaces.

 Had to get out of the car when I saw the rosette spoonbills.  They were on the west side of the road.  Not to far down from the Visitors Center.

Tom asked me what the canals are for.  I assume, like the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, they are for mosquito control.  So far, I've been unable to find the answer.

The Refuge road is Lighthouse Road.  For an obvious reason.  It ends at the St. Marks Lighthouse.  Built between 1829 and 1831.  Moved to its present site in 1843 due to erosion, it has remained there despite hurricanes and the Civil War, when retreating Confederates attempted to blow it up.  I'm a lighthouse fan.  They combine history, architecture and great views.  I think it fascinating that the St. Marks Lighthouse is still close to the water.  In other locations, St. Augustine comes to mind, years of beach buildup have "moved" the towers inland.

The above views aren't from the lighthouse.  Not open to the public.  They are from a nearby observation platform.

The Refuge has many trails, including a short one near the lighthouse.

 The Refuge is major monarch migration stopover.  Later in October, according to a sign.  That is not a monarch above.

Lighthouse views from an oyster bar that extends into Apalachee Bay.

This is great Refuge.  Spoonies, a lighthouse, and a bald eagle.  And we didn't even get into the water.  I think I'll be back.

And when I too, I'll have dinner again at Ouzts Too Oyster Bar   On Highway 98, as the song goes.  Turn left coming out of the Refuge.  I turned right, and we were almost to Highway 14, the road to Ecofina River Park when  Tom said, "Dave....."     On the other hand, if we had arrived earlier we might not have seen the deer and fox on 14 as we drove back after dinner. Half a dozen steamed oysters for me.  Raw for Tom.  Always was a risk taker.  We both had the grouper, shrimp, and oyster basket.