The Okefenokee Swamp is one of those incredible places that paddlers see on a map, hear about around campfires, and eagerly await the opportunity explore its interior. The best time to visit the park is from late October through March. Bugs are down, daytime temperatures are perfect, there’s less chance of rain, and the wildlife…
Springtime in Florida is the perfect time to venture out and explore the 240-mile Suwannee River. Most folks are familiar with the Stephen Foster song that made the river famous. Now that the state has created the Suwannee River Wilderness Paddling Trail, a whole bunch more people will learn of this scenic waterway….
The very first thing I say when asked this question is, “Start with a whole lot of money, quit your job, sell your house, and live in a van down by the river.” I’m serious. For so many people paddling fills more than free-time and goes way beyond just a hobby. The wild places you…
I just can’t tell you how happy I am that fall weather is here! For most Floridians’ this is the reason we tolerate 8 months of 100% humidity and near 100-degree days. One of my favorite places to go play this time of year is Dunellon Florida. With two outstanding paddling rivers in town and…
If you are reading this article, chances are you live in the greatest state in the entire country. Not only is Florida a warm weather paradise filled with wild rivers, unspoiled beaches, and never ending hardwood forests, we also have a great group of folks working to protect our paradise. A perfect example is the Florida…
I first heard about Spruce Creek in hushed tones amongst a group of old time anglers. They called it a red fish heaven, packed with copper giants, hidden from the throngs of flat boats in nearby Mosquito Lagoon. The second time I heard about the creek was again in hushed tones. This time it was…
Summer is here, the kids are out of school, and finding shade and staying cool are the major activities of the day. A canoe or camping trip to Maine or Minnesota would be great. However, most of us can’t afford that much money or time. The Florida State Park system has taken the lead in…
Here in Florida, only two National Scenic Rivers flow: the Loxahatchee in South Florida and the Wekiva River in Central Florida. Since I grew up in Winter Park, I tend to favor my first wild stomping grounds, Rock Springs and the Wekiva River. Like most places in Florida, not so many years ago the Wekiva…
As a dad and a guide, I’m always being asked by other parents when is the best time to start taking their children paddling. My answer is always the same, “On the way home from the hospital is the perfect time!” In all seriousness, if you are an experienced paddler, the sooner the better. If…
“What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for.” George Mallory I know spring is…
As everyone knows by the inch thick layer of yellow oak pollen on every outdoor surface, spring is here. The plus side is that every wildflower is at its peak of color and display, making this the best time of year to explore a few of North Florida’s great little rivers. Take a much-needed day…