Suwannee Paddle Florida Festival & Farewell To Our Friends

Suwannee State Park, FL  (62 degrees, chilly)

Suwannee River

In researching places to kayak in Florida last winter I ran across an organization called Paddle Florida.  It  is a "non-profit corporation organized to support canoeing and kayaking in Florida".  They offer reasonable paddle trips in five regions of Florida.  You can bring your own kayak or local outfitters will provide them for you.  Meals and entertainment are planned in the evening each day and most trips last from 5-7 days.  We decided to attend their first annual Paddle Florida Festival at Suwannee Music and State Park.  A benefit concert and two paddle trips were planned. 

Withlacoochee River

The night of the concert was very cold and unfortunately there was a poor turnout.  We stayed for the first set and listened to a local legend, Tom Shed,  play and sing an interesting set.  He's a great story teller and weaves his music around stories of Florida.  He was great.

 

We stayed for five nights at the state park and liked the rustic, wooded sites.  It has the "it" factor but can be difficult finding a satellite signal. 

 

 

Launch at Madison Blue Springs

 

The first paddle trip planned was a little too long for us in our inflatable kayaks.  It was from Suwannee Music Park to Suwannee State Park and 20 miles in length.  Sea Eagle kayaks are slower than regular kayaks and the length seemed too daunting.  So instead we decided to go along for the shorter paddle down the Withlacoochee River. 

 

Launch site:  Madison Blue Springs.  This is a small park with a pretty blue spring and swimming area (no camping).   It has a rather unusual launch with a narrow path from the parking lot down to the launch.  See kayakers above. A small area was available to put in your boat and it was difficult to get into our kayak.  However, the river was very high and it might be easier at other times of the year. 

 

 



Madison Blue Springs

 

Take Out:  Suwannee State Park

 

Length:  Twelve miles

 

Difficulty:  Easy due to the speed of the river.  It is all downstream except for 300 yards heading up river on the Suwannee to the take out. 

 

 

Bev & JC

 

 

We heard the river was high and saw some debris way up in the trees.  Surely the river had not risen way up there.  A short while later we saw this....

 

 

 

 

Yup, it's a boat way up in the tree.  Along the way we did see some damaged docks and most of the houses were built on stilts or high up on the bank.  On one of our hikes we later found a pole indicating the height of the floods.  The yellow marker near the top was from a flood in 2009.  Now that's some high water. 

 

Flood water marker

 

 

 

 

 

There was not a lot of wildlife on the river. This may be due to the high water levels.  We did hear quite a few song birds but did not see them. Homes of all sizes and shapes were sprinkled on both sides. 

 

 

 

 

We met a few paddlers along the way from the Paddle Florida group.  It was a nice paddle but probably our least favorite this winter due to the lack of wildlife. 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Paddle Florida trips have been posted.  Several folks told us how much fun they are to attend and it's super easy.  Just bring yourself, tent, and a sleeping bag.  Everything  is provided and expertly lead by local guides.  We hope to go on one next winter. 

 











2013-2014 season. Registration will open on May 1, 2013.
• October 12-17: Suwannee
• December 6-9: Wekiva/St.Johns
• January 12-22: Florida Keys
• February 12-17: Withlacoochee
• March 15-21: Ochlockonee

 

 

 

While in the area we also visited the Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park.  During our visit a tractor exhibit was being held.  I love tractors.  We liked the campground here even better than Suwannee State Park and enjoyed the interesting exhibits in honor of Stephen Foster.  He was  the composer of "Old Folks At Home" with the famous lyrics...way down upon the Suwannee River. We found out he never saw the river prior to writing the song.  It just worked out well with the other lyrics. 

 

 

In Craft Square, we enjoyed watching demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing, stained glass making, and other crafts, or visit the gift shop. The craftsman below whittled all sorts of items out of wood.  The ball and chain below were made from one continuous piece. Brilliant!

 

 

 

 

The 97 bell carillon was beautiful and every two hours could be heard throughout the area. 

 

Carillon

 

Maybe my Indiana roots are showing but don't you just love tractors.  The parade was fun for the watchers as well as the participants.  



His and Hers

 

 

 

 

This was the end of our "Big Adventure" with JC and Bev.  Saying goodbye was difficult and lets just say a little tearful.  We started in Port Charlotte just before Christmas and they saved "our bacon" by helping out  during the final week at the kiosk.   We've traveled to many great attractions and cities in Florida and shared some great food and laughter. 

 

JC, Bev, Carol, & John (St. Augustine)

 

This trip was planned almost a year ago and we made very little changes along the way.  Except for the Elks Lodge in Key Largo our campgrounds were great (State Parks, Elk Lodges, Military Campgrounds, private, one National Park and city park)  and the itinerary was perfect.  On average we stayed from 7-10 days in each location (longer in Key West). Our average cost per night was $22 which is great for Florida.  It would have been less hectic to stay longer at each location but we would not have seen as much.

 

 



 

John and JC's favorite destination was Big Cypress National Preserve while Bev and I loved St. Augustine.  Our favorite rivers to paddle were Rainbow and Silver River.

 

 

JC & Jimmy

 

 

Bev

Thank you for the many happy times and great memories.  We wish you a safe journey until we meet again.