Otter Springs Park and Campground

Sunday, March 8

We left early today from Tony and Jill's, forgetting that we switched to Daylight Savings Time last night and lost an hour.

We're making our first significant move toward the North, about 200 miles today.

We're staying at a park we found last year and wished that we had more time then - Otter Springs Park and Campground near the Suwannee River.  It is the nicest County owned RV park we've ever stayed in and nicer than most "RV Resorts" that we've seen. There's a nice enclosed swimming pool, bike and hiking trails, and plenty of places to kayak and bike.  There are no large cities nearby, no traffic jams, just country folks around.  My kind of place!

Monday, March 9

Sometimes, things just can't seem to get any better.  And today was one of those.  Kayaking, Biking, Hiking, and Swimming.

And we have taken the best kayaking trip ever.

Otter Springs is a natural spring pumping out millions of gallons of water constantly.  The water from the springsflows through a creek to the Suwannee River.

We took the kayaks down the the springs this morning.  The launch ramp is covered in water.  I have learned that the Suwannee River, which rises well North of here in Georgia, is directly affected by the large amount of rain in that area has caused the river to overflow its banks here in Florida.  This is not unusual and structures and parks built along the river are designed to accommodate the high water.

However, when it rises as high as it is now, it is somewhat difficult to find the creek bed that meanders from the springs to the river (about 1 mile).

Paddling to the Suwannee river and back was a truly unique experience.  We were able to meander among the trees, occasionally losing our way.  It it weren't for the trees on both sides of the creek leaning in over the creek, we would have probably gotten lost more often.

The water is perfectly smooth and provides some beautiful reflections 

Part of the creek was covered with water lilies.  They would slow the boat a lot and get hung up in the paddles.

A nice ending for a great day~

Tuesday, March 10

We decided last night that we would do a long kayak trip down the Suwannee River, with a shuttle back to our starting point.  But this morning, decided that would probably not be as exciting as what we did yesterday and decided instead to drive to Manatee Springs State Park which is only a few miles from us.  

What a good decision!

We didn't think we could top yesterdays trip, but I think we did!

It's called Manatee Springs for a reason.  It is what is called a first magnitude spring (the largest volume of water of all springs) pumping out 100 cubic feet per second (or a quarter million gallons per minute) of crystal clear water at a constant temperature of 72 degrees F.

There are manatees and large fish lolling around in the springs - and kayaking is a great way to see and experience them.  If it had been a little warmer, I could have gone out with my snorkel and mask and swam among them.  

Wow, what a day - up close and personal with the manatees.

The manatees are very gentle, slow moving mammels.  They are sometimes referred to as Sea Cows and can grow to 12 feet long and weigh 800 to 1000 pounds.  They are typically born weighing 66 pounds.  They surface about every 20 minutes for a breath of air and then submerge, seemingly resting on the bottom.

Here a manatee swims beneath Clara's kayak

This photo was taken under water.  You can see the bottom of my green kayak in the upper right hand corner.

Clara really enjoys wandering off into the cypress swamps.

There are numerous species of fish sharing the springs with the manatees.  Some of these appeared to be up to three feet long.

On the way back to the motor home, we stopped at a place that sold cypress knees.  Clara has been wanting one since she saw the first one during one of of kayak trips.  Cypress Knees are perpendicular offshoots of the root system of cypress trees which come out of the water a few inches to three feet.  

Now she has two.

This kind of day is what we like most about travel in our motor home.  We can explore and find new and exciting places to go and things to do just about anywhere we go.  We never expected to kayak with manatees in such a pristine environment.  

Wednesday, March 11

Another great day in the boondocks.

It sure feels like we're miles from civilization when we go out.  The closest towns are ;Trenton and and Chiefland, Florida.  Never heard of the places before.  But we love it here.

Clara decided that we would have a late lunch, so she got on her ipad and started looking.  A place down the river got good reviews, so off we go.

 As we enter the restaurant, the first thing we see is the grocery store.  It's a lot better than the junk you see when entering a Cracker Barrel Restaurant, and the food is a lot better.

Ends up the Treasure Camp on the Suawannee is a great place, although it might not look like it from appearances.  Some of the best seafood we've had, and a nice view of the river.

I have noticed that the river is spelled at least a couple of different ways.  Suawanne is used some places, and as shown in the photo above, Swannee in others.  Google Maps has it Suawannee, so we'll go with that.

Clara looked a little doubtful after we got out of the car and headed to the restaurant.

After returning, we took another kayak ride down the creek from Otter Springs to the Suawannee.

Again, this is the best kayak trail we've ever been on.  Clara kept trying to find the right adjectives to describe it - peaceful, serene, quiet, calming, reflective, plus any others you can think of that reflect quiet beauty.

Our first "ussie"

Clara thinks she can get this airplant to grow in Beaufort!

Tomorrow, we up anchor and head a little further North to Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville, FL.  A couple days there and it seems that it will be warm enough to go home.