Post #395905 by MobileTikiBar on Tue, Jul 22, 2008 7:27 PM

This sounds like a TON of fun. I've visited the river fed from the spring, but never the park.

Does anyone feel like a kayak trip while visiting? I might be able to round up a few kayaks to make a little trek. The put-in fee at the outfitter is relatively cheap and is right next door to the park. They also rent kayaks if I'm not able to find enough (if lots of folks are interested).

Basically you head down-river about six miles, leisurely paddling with the current that is fed from the spring. You pull out once you reach a park that has parking and a bar/restaurant. It's an extremely easy paddle if you haven't been in a kayak before.

When I've done this in the past, we usually meet up at the park at the bottom, leaving our personal vehicles there, and ride up to the top in one vehicle. We've had a great time doing this with friends and family.

If anyone is interested, let me know, and I'll try to put some plans together that mesh with Chip and Andy's schedule. Chip & Andy, if folks are interested, let me know what day and timing would be best based on the events you have planned, so that nothing conflicts. The kayak trip is normally 2-4 hours.

Here are a few photos from our last time over. Jen, myself, Laura, Andy, two of my uncles, and an Aunt. We saw 5-6 manatee that day (third photo below caught one). I'm not sure if the manatee would be travelling up the river this time of year, but you never know.

-adrian