I arrived at noon. Now, lets board the way back kayak machine and return to the start of the day.
7:28 am. Always look both ways at an intersection. At Wekiwa Springs State Park, it may lead to a deer sighting. I looked left, down the road goes to the campground and Sand Lake, and there was a deer. I turned right, towards the day use parking lots, and there, in the wooded median, a second deer. It ran out in front of me. No photo of deer number 2.
Seventeen minutes after deer 1, I was in the water.
Helps that it is downhill to the launch area.
First on the water deer of the day.
The Run got busy. But, everyone was going downstream, so, I'd just see them for a minute or two. I wondered when King's Landing would run out of canoes.
Otters
Leaving Wekiwa Springs State Park, 11:15.
Paddling up the most beautiful part of the Run. Last time I tried, in March, 2011, it was blocked.
Just after this gator, two guys in a tandem kayak came down stream. I asked how far they got. "To the bridge" "Any portages?" "No, but the gators made us nervous" I did not ask if they used the alligators to portage, a la Tarzan running on the backs of crocodiles. I saw another deer.
It was a hard paddle, had to duck under a few trees, tight turns, but I made it. "If two guys in a tandem did..." kept me going.
Time for the down Run journey.
Approaching Kings Landing, 12:30. I took a peak up the canal to the outfitter, no one coming out. One I got past the folks swimming where canal meets Run, I had most of the down stream paddle to myself
Back in the State Park. 12:43.
I passed a family I had seen on the way up. They asked how far it was to "the campsites and Indian mound they talk about" I assume "they" are the folks at Kings Landing. "Closer than when you left"
I had not taken a break. Hoped to stop at Big Buck. But, as I got close, I heard voices. Great. People are there. I mean great as in not good. This is great in the traditional sens.
There were people at Big Buck, so I did not stop.
Three more deer
Of which, unfortunately, you only get to see one. Making like a giraffe to get the good leaves.
This made 11 deer for the day. 9 from the kayak.
The visor has picked out of the Run. Along with a plastic bag, bottle, and bag of potato chips. Plenty more for you to pick up.
Just be careful where you reach.
I saw one more paddler on Rock Springs Run. Coming upstream, he asked how far it was to Rock Springs. I told him it took me 4 hours 15 minutes.. He turned around shortly thereafter. Made a comment on how quiet it was. I asked if the Park was crowede. Yes. Hd to be, he was in one of the old green kayaks, not one of the new brightly colored ones.
Returning to the Wekiva River. Which, as always on a summer Saturday, was jammed.
With stupid people.
"Can't you read?"
'Yes, you, jackass"
5 canoes and a pedal boat. Bet none of them knew to go to the gator log.
Landed at 4:30. Carted the kayak up the hill, put it on the roof. Tired, sore, hot, I had a brief swim in the Spring to cool off. First time I can remember I did not use mask, fins, and snorkel. I just wanted to jump in, swim a bit and get out of the crowded pool.
5 comments:
I think you would make a great river patrol volunteer.
People have no respect for those signs, no concern for the families paddling under the tree.
It is somehow frustrating to see how people think the rules are for everybody but them. One of the reasons we do not kayak from the Wekiwa Springs State Park too often is the amount of yahoos that are always there.
I still have to do my annual trip up Rock Springs Run. Just waiting for the temps to come down a bit. Will probably take a day off to do it in the middle of the week.
When we were there for the turtle survey, I remember saying "I can't believe we have to put gates and signs up on trees here.." but clearly we do! What absolute jackasses. Then again, if theyre Wekiva Island patrons in those tacky green canoes, I expect nothing less than jackassery. On another note, did you ever see the collapsed house that used to be where that newly built one was, upstream from King's Landing? It was so cool, I liked it better. Then again, maybe that's just my supreme jealousy talking because I don't have a cabin on RSR..
Jeez, it would be so nice if the park dudes would deputize you. At the very least they'd make out like bandits from the revenue from fines. And hopefully rid the area of some of these idiots as an additional bonus.
Joanne and Brenda, I can't be a volunter, I want to enjoy my time on the water. Maybe in 15 years,if I can still function at age 67 in retirement.
Luis, once out of the Park to Island corridor, the yahoo factor is rather low.
Octohawk, and all, sorry to say there also were State Park kayaks at the tree. And, of course I've seen the tumble down shack that used to be on RSR. Probanly have a picture of it somewhere.
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