Dave's Yak Tales: 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.

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

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.

Ornate green roofed structures at the Wonder Gardens

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