Florida Trip Reports
In January of 2003, Christy and I took advantage of some free time with a trip to Florida. We endured a memorable drive to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area in central Florida. We camped in the beautiful forest there for 4 nights, and spent our days paddling the spring runs nearby. First we paddled Juniper Springs Run from the spring through a wilderness area. The next day we took a break from paddling and went swimming at the springs and did a dayhike on the Florida Trail. We resumed paddling the next day at Alexander Springs, where we had a classic misadventure. We finished our trip by paddling at Ichetucknee Springs State Park.
In June of 2007, Christy and her friend Jackie traveled to Florida for the annual Swim around Key West. The race is a 12-mile loop around the island. Christy was there to do the swim, while Jackie accompanied her in a kayak. Unfortunately, the race didn't go exactly as planned.
We returned to Florida in December, 2014. We started the trip with 3 days in Everglades National Park. First, we camped at Flamingo. We did a 4-hour kayaking trip to Mud Lake and a mountain biking / hiking trip to Bear Lake. (Photos). We then spent 2 days backpacking from Flamingo to Clubhouse Beach. (Photos). We finished the trip with 4 nights of Phish concerts in downtown Miami.
We returned to Florida in December, 2016. First we drove to Montgomery, Alabama, to watch Appalachian State play in the Camellia Bowl. From there we drove into Florida's Panhandle. We visited Falling Water State Park and did a 2-hour hike in the Leon Sinks Geological Area near Tallahassee. (Photos). The next day we did a short kayaking trip at Silver Springs State Park before driving to Everglades City. (Photos). Originally we planned a four day kayaking trip in the Ten Thousand Islands, but Christy got sick. We delayed our trip a day. While she was recovering I kayaked the Turner River solo. (Photos). We spent the final 3 days of our trip kayaking and camping in the Ten Thousand Islands. (Photos).
For Spring Break in 2017 Christy and I did a road trip through the deep south and parts of the midwest. We started in the Florida Panhandle. Christy did an off-road triathlon at Bear Lake in the Blackwater River State Forest. (Photos). I did an afternoon hike around Bear Lake on the first day and a hike along Juniper Creek the next morning.
In December, 2019, Christy and I took a last minute trip to Florida. We spent six days kayaking in the mangroves and keys of the Ten Thousand Islands in Everglades National Park. We started from Everglades City, and spent our first three nights at the Crooked Creek Chickee, the Sweetwater Chickee, and Mormon Key. (Photos). We finished that trip with three more days of kayaking, camping on Pavilion Key and Jewel Key. (Photos).
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| Fern Hammock Springs | Ichetucknee River |
Please remember to Leave No Trace!