Imperial River, Saturday, January 14

First stop, W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam Campsite. My site, Number 3 was occupied when I arrived. I had just unhitched the trailer and pushed it into a parking spot in the boat ramp area, when the camphost came over and said, "Its open"  Sure enough it was.  I was able to set up before heading down to Naples to pick up my Kevlar Tsunami at Paddle Sports of Naples.

I wanted to take the patched kayak to the Capri Fish House and paddle to Cannon Island. But, a cold front was moving through and the Gulf was rough. So,went to the Imperial River in Bonita Springs.  Never having paddled it before, I used a plastic Tsunami.

 On the River at 1:06. Plan was to paddle upstream.  Paddled down at first, until I figured the current was the incoming tide.

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I had never heard of Everglades Jungle Gardens until doing some research for this paddle.  An old school road side attraction.  Going back to the 1930's on Old Highway 41

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Scenic creek in an urban areaaa

Glad I had the tough, plastic kayak.  Had a couple spots where I pulled myself over downed branches

This may be where I turned back.  Tree down

A spring run. I saw 2. 
 I was going to take a picture of the other, which I saw earlier, on the down river paddle.  But, I missed it.  The spring that gave Bonita Springs its name, is on the grounds of the Shangri La Hotel.

https://cloud.threshold360.com/locations/Shangri-La-Springs-52c30227/thresholds

Go to the thumbnails on the left, and scroll to the bottom.

High bluffs

Swamp lilly

Manatee. I saw 3 on the way up the River

Only a handful of people. All paddling.

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Ornate green roofed structures at the Wonder Gardens

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Landed at 3:47.  An Art Festival was taking place in the Park next to the Park I launched at.  That Park was used for Artist Parking.  I went to Manatee Park, which is on the way to W.P. Franklin

Manatees like the warm water from a powerplant discharge canal

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I have kayaked here, but no time this visit.

Back at my campsite

Couldn't get water to boil for my ramen noodles in the 50-degree chill.  It was 35 when I woke up, Sunday