Sunday, July 7, 2013

Blackwater Creek, Wekiva River

Did a car bike shuttle today, Sunday, July , 2013
 Driving to the launch site in the Seminole State Forest, 8:29.
Driving out, after unloading the kayak, 8:50.  A deer had just run into the shrubbery.
 Biking on Wekiva Park Road, after leaving the car at Katie's Landing. 9:06
Back in the Seminole State  Forest. Deer in the shade at the curve. One of two. 9:20.
 Back at the launch site.  I  may have to adjust the odometer.  The car recorded 4.5 miles.  89 at 9:30 am. Welcome to July in Florida.
Underway at 9:42.  Twice as crowded as it was Thursday.  2 people fishing from the bridge as I began the down Creek paddle.





Turned on the video to give my readers the thrill of an alligator bursting of the bank, splashing in the creek.
Of course, this one did not budge


 This one turned around before sliding under the surface






Entering the Wekiva River, noon.  Had to take the alternate route through the floating plants, the main route is still blocked.  Up Creek, there are 3 other mats to get through, none very large, and one tree to duck under and push through the branches.  Not pictured but seen, great blue heron, pileated wood pecker, black crowned night heron.  Blackwater Creek is usually good for limpkins, I think the high water has them wading for snails and clams deeper in the forest.

Paddled up the Wekiva



4 boats, no paddlers on the Wekiva.


 Seen, not pictured, great egret and osprey.
Approaching Katie's Landing,1:55.
 Gopher tortoise, Sand Road, Seminole State Forest. I saw rabbits, in addition to the 3 deer,in the morning.
 Same route, bike OD read 5.25. I probably have it set to the wrong wheel size
Retrieved the bike, 2:37.
And that's how you do a car bike shuttle.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Dave - just stumbled across your (fantastic) blog while searching around for some nearby places to paddle. We did the Wekiva River from Katie's landing last weekend -- went downstream 3-4 miles before turning around and paddling right back up.

    But I'm loving this car-bike shuttle idea. I see you left the car and launched from Katie's Landing - where did you leave the bike and put out? Somewhere near the crossing of Wekiva River Rd and Blackwater Creek?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I landed at Katie's. Launched in the Seminole State Forest.

    ReplyDelete

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