Santa Fe and Silver Rivers. With a new used kayak

Wilderness Tsunami 14.  I have been looking for one for years.  To replace the one I have had since 2009.  Bought it from a gentleman named Scott, in Gainesville.  Along with a Werner paddle. $780.00.

My red one can be yours for $450.00. Has a very very very slow leak.  Patch it, get a new sear, and sell it for 700.00. Or keep it. Used Tsunami 14 footers are hard to find.

Took the blue kayak to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

On the water just before noon

Paddled down the run to the Santa Fe River

Paddling down the Santa FE

Turtles are a given on the Santa Fe River

Another prevalent species on the Santa Fe. Tubers

 

The river at Ginnie Springs was packed. I did not enter the springs on the Ginnie side of the river.  Below, I am coming out of July Springs. On the opposite side of the Santa Fe from Ginnei

I planned on paddling to the end of the Ginnie property, but it was so crowded, I turned back.

Vultures, waiting for a tuber to pass out

Alligators are somewhat rare on the Santa Fe.  I would like to see more. Cull the tube population.

Turtles, on the other hand.....

Rum Spring. Still closed. Last time I was here, a county worker, not working, said he thought it was closed because the lift station was flooded.  Which is ironic, as the park was closed for months for improvements, including a rest room.  If the out houses were still here, a lift station would not be requires.

A lesser known spring at Rum Springs

Eastern phoebe

Spring run. Private property

Pickard Spring

Pig at Lily Springs

There were a lot of folks on this part of the River, too.  Paddlers, not tubers.  Coming out of Lily, I made my way back, down the Santa Fe, to Gilchrist Blue 

The guy below is an asshole.  As are 2, 3 people before him who went over the barrier, into Rum Spring.  Rum Springs, being right on the river bank, browns out easily.  The barrier, a recent addition, does a surprisingly good job of keeping the river water out.  Going over it will lower it, and let tannic river water in.  Dicks. As if a yellow barrier is not enough, there are signs, "No Vessels in Spring"  If you are going to goin when it is closed, land on the bank, away form the spring, or the boat ramp.  I hate people. These same clowns were standing on the dock at Pickard Spring. Private property. No sense. If you are going to trespass, be subtle. 

Naked Spring Run. Closed to let vegetation  grow.

Landed at 3:12. The place was packed, but I put on the snorkel gear.

Its a long drive from Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park to home.  So, I broke it up with as stop at Silver Springs State Park

On the water at 5:24

The new. ADA complaint, glass bottom boat.  At the end of the day, the boats go into covered docks away from the main spring.  I wonder if this is too tall to fit, or if it was a matter of more boats than captains.

Landed at 6:35. Saw as many people on the water,  as monkeys and manatees. Zero. Quite the contrast with the Santa Fe.