Rock Springs Run

A picture less Tale for Sunday. For some reason, pictures did not save.  It began at the end of Saturday's Hillsborough trip, but I took so many photos, and was so tired, I did not realize the last photos were not there until Sunday night.   Saw one alligator, one deer, one otter on Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River.  The no photo thing happened once before.  After a morning beach walk on Sanibel.  How it recovered then, I don't know.  It has recovered now, at least with test photos here at Yak Dave HQ

So, an "old school"  Tale.  When the Internet first came on the scene, I'd send friends and family reports of what I called,  "Adventures"  Day trips to interesting locations around Florida.   The "Florida Trifecta" was coined after a visit to the Merritt Island National Seashore and The Canaveral National Seashore in 2003.  That is when you see an alligator, a dolphin, and a manatee on the same day. When I bought my first kayak in March, 2005, those adventures included kayaking.  In November of that year, pictures were added to the emails, after generous friends and family bought a camera for my birthday.  The world joined in, October 2007, when one of my brothers told me about his blog.  If he could do it, so could I.  

So enough history, here is what I did Sunday.   A windy forecast.  As I have mentioned before, Rock Springs Run is my place to go when the winds blow.  A short, 12 mile drive, then paddling a tree lined stream.  Blocks the wind.  Only problem is the wind blowing a tree on top of me.  At least I'd go doing what I love.

I think I launched about 8:30 from Wekiwa Springs State Park.  This will be all from memory as I have no photos.  I took photos of a great egret, osprey, and anhinga in the lagoon, then headed down the Wekiva.   Saw a blue heron, got a nice pic of a wood duck before it flew off.  No one on the River. Twenty minutes to Rock Springs Run, began the paddle up its clear spring fed waters.  My arms were tired for some reason, oh, yeah, a  10 hour paddle Saturday.  So, I was not taking and scenic shots, saving those for the return trip.  Saw a limpkin, ibis, great blue heron, great egret blue heron.  Two canoes coming back from camping at Big Buck.  Past the Indian Mound camp site, a doe, feeding on the edge of the Run.  I took a couple pictures, then went to video.  I drifted to with in a few feet, filming.  The doe kept eating, walked a few steps, and continued to graze.  One of the best videos ever.  Really.  Not having it is the biggest disappointment.

Saw one alligator, and a few more people, 4, before turning around just before the tree canopy closes in again up Run from Big Buck.   Saw the same deer, got more photos.  The usual beautiful Rock Springs Run scenes on  the way down.  If you stumbled on Dave's Yak Tales for the first time, just put Rock Springs Run in the search box and you will see what I mean.

I don't think I saw more than a dozen boats, all on Rock Springs Run.  No one on the Wekiva.  I will repeat.  Not  a single canoe, kayak  or paddle board on Rock Springs Run between the confluence and Wekiwa Springs State Park.  I mention paddle boards because they are now available to rent at the State Park.   Should be fun on crowded summer Sundays with paddle boarders falling into canoes on the crowded River.  Saw an otter on the Wekiva.  Looked at the picture.  Saw a wake, maybe a head. Why it, and all the other photos disappeared, I have no idea.

Landed around 12:30.  Took the easy route up the hill, sidewalk and boardwalk instead of the dirt hill.  Longer, but an easier pull with the cart.  Something I would not do on a "normal" crowded Sunday.  On a normal Sunday, I  bike or drive to the Sand Lake trail head. Away from the crowds.  Today, a walk on the Wet to Dry boardwalk near the Spring, than a walk to the first bench and back. Less than 2 miles.  Saw a bear, eagle and panther.  No photos. Well, I did photograph a squirrel.

Just kidding.

No kayaking for me until Sunday.  Going to Milwaukee for Thanksgiving.  First winter visit since the infamous Packer-Viking playoff game in 2005.  With my buddy Rick, who is featured in the very first Tale on this blog.  Who I will see Friday, with a couple other friends, as we take the tour of Lakefront Brewery.

Happy Thanksgiving, and I'll be back in Florida, and in the kayak, Sunday.  Hopefully, a fully illustrated Tale.