Beautiful Paddle Trip - Santa Fe River, Ginnie Springs & A Disappearing River

Cedar Key, FL (68 degrees, blue skies)




Ginnie Springs

We had heard about these beautiful springs.  In fact, it's been on our bucket list way before we started full timing.  Our friends Karen and Al, and Linda and Howard had blogged about it and the thought of paddling it kept us motivated as we prepared for full timing.   It was an a beautiful river and the numerous springs are magnificent. 

 

 

Originally we planned on camping near this area but the weather did not cooperate.  We finally had a small window of opportunity at Cedar Key and decided to drive the extra distance to see it.  A closer place to camp would be at O'Leno State Park or Fort White. 

 

 

Part of the fun of kayaking is planning how to do the paddle.  We went a day early and checked out many launch sites and decided to do a shorter paddle because of the extra driving time involved in getting there (1 1/2 hours each way).. 

 

 

Launch:  Rum Island is a public launch (free entry) near High Springs.  We had two cars, however, if you  have only one you could paddle downstream to Ginnie Springs and return upstream to Rum Island.  However,  being able to go completely downstream is a real plus.  There are picnic tables and pit toilets available and a very nice launch..  It's open every day, however, there is a delayed opening of 12 noon on Tuesday. 

 

The name "Rum Island" was believed to be derived from bootlegging and moonshine operation on the islands in the 1900's.  No alcoholic beverages are allowed today.  Don't you think the bootleggers would find this to be ironic. 

 

Here is a very helpful  link to a ten page guide with GPS coordinates to  access sites for the Santa Fe River. 

Rum Island

 

There are  numerous springs along the Santa Fe River and each one is fun to explore.  We took our time and enjoyed looking at them.  Ginnie and Blue Springs are privately owned, however, you can paddle around the springs as long as you don't get out and use their facilities. 

 

 

Blue Springs

 

 

Bev and JC

John and me



Ginnie Springs

 

 

Ginnie Springs is a huge campground with many inlets from the Santa Fe into their springs.  It's expensive to camp there but the convenience and access in and out of the springs would be great. Swimming in the springs during the summer time must be very nice but we have heard it is very crowded.  Today was perfect with very few distractions from other paddlers and no spring breakers.  For the most part scuba divers enjoying the water today There were a few hearty souls swimming but their lips were rather blue.  :) I was tempted because it looked so inviting. 

 

 

 

 

JC & Bev

 

 

 

Scuba divers

It was interesting to watch the scuba divers go in and out of the caves. 

 

 



 

 

Take Out:  We had heard from a local the take out at US 47 bridge had some troubles with vandalism in the past.  Just down the road about 1/2 mile was another unmarked access point in a small neighborhood. We left a car here in the morning and the drive Rum Island was only about 15 minutes.  This was a public access but not indicated on any of the maps. 

 

Length:  Approximately five miles

 

Difficulty:  Easy - we floated most of the way downstream.  It would be more difficult to paddle back upstream against the current if you have only one car.  The current was moving fairly quickly. 

 

O'Leno State Park suspension bridge

 

 

In our travels exploring the area prior to our trip we stopped at the pretty O'Leno State Park.  There is a river access point nearby.  We enjoyed driving around the park and the campground looked very nice.  This was one of the original Florida State Parks and was developed by the CCC.   There is a nice museum commemorating  it's construction and the young men involved during the depression. 

 

An interesting feature of this park is the Santa Fe River disappears underground and re-emerges three miles south at River Riser Preserve State Park.  We walked a trail along the river to check out where the river disappeared.  At the end some poor turtles were clinging to a log as it circled and circled in the current.  A very hungry alligator was following along looking for a good opportunity for a meal. 

River end

Turtles clinging to the log

Alligator in hot pursuit

 

The paddle trip was a delight and one we will always remember.  Paddling the shorter portion worked out perfectly.  Hope to see you on a river soon. 

 

 







Sleepy Island Living - A Visit To Cedar Key & Nearby Manatees

Cedar Key, FL (62 degrees, chilly, cloudy skies)

 

 

 

Picture a small sleepy island town with good food, friendly folks, quaint shops, rough oyster beds, occasional mud flats, wide variety of shore birds, avid fishermen,  and you've found Cedar Key.  JC and Bev were excited to show us one of their favorite places in Florida and had compiled a list of all their favorite "to see"  for us. 

 

JC's Things to do in Cedar Key List:

• Historical Museum downtown
• Hike the old railroad trail
• Manatee Springs State Park
• Shell Mound
• Walk the nature boardwalk
• Cedar Key Museum State Park
• Captain Doug's Tidewater Boat Tour
• Go to old Cedar Key and visit the graveyard
• Cedar Key Arts Center
• Drive the 9 mile nature loop
• Explore shops downtown and along the wharf
• Visit Rosewood memorial
• Visit town of Suwannee
• Take an airplane ride over Cedar Key
• Eat at several area restaurants
• Island Room at Cedar Cove - dinner
• Island Hotel B&B - dinner
• Blue Desert Cafe - dinner
• Salt Creek in Suwannee - lunch
• Tony's Seafood - lunch
• Seabreeze on the Dock - lunch
• Eat at Pat's - lunch
• Big Deck Raw Bar -lunch

Except for the Suwannee River Boat Tour and a couple of restaurants we accomplished them all. 

 

 

Low Key Hideaway Motel and RV Resort

 

 

We walked to town from our campground, hiked often, paid attention to high and low tides, and enjoyed lots and lots of oyster and clams (except for my meat loving husband). Each day melted into the next and we extended our stay twice.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We especially enjoyed our hikes at Shell Mound located in a National Wildlife Refuge.  Indians lived here thousands of years ago and appear to enjoy clams even more than us.  They left behind tons of shells.  

 

 

Bird watching was plentiful.  We quickly learned to pay attention to the tides.  The birds do not hang out  during high tide. All their sand bars for gathering get submerged.  It was very exciting  to find a Great Horned Owlet very near our campground.  The American Avocet was lots of fun to see too with it's long curved beak.   

 

 

Great Horned Owlet (one big baby)



 

American Avocet

 

 



 



Birdman looking through the binoculars with his pal Jimmy

Manatee State Park is a short distance from Cedar Key.  One of the highlights of this state park is the beautiful clear blue/green spring fed swimming area. 

 

 

The picture below is of Catfish Hotel Sinkhole.  Beneath the gooey green duckweed is an underwater cave.  A scuba diver emerging from the water said it was very extensive and could be followed by a rope line.  This is not on our bucket list but interesting to hear about from someone else. 

Catfish Hotel and scuba diver

Hanging out nearby in a protected area were thirteen manatees.  Due to the recent cold spell they're here because the water remains a constant 72 degrees.  There is a long, long, long boardwalk which meanders through the Cypress Trees and wetlands.  It's magical.    Bless the folks who built this boardwalk.  It must have been a difficult task and it allows you to see such a spectacular area.   From one of the decks we were able to see the manatees in the clear water.  It was a very cool sight. 

 

We are staying at the Sunset Isle Campground and Motel ($180/week for full hook ups).  Bev describes it as "trippy".  The sites are close together and arranged in a very hodgepodge manner.  Some of them are not too easy to get into.  There are several overlooking the water with boat docks which looked nice and the front desk was very accommodating and friendly. 




Most of the snow bird crowd has left but we were able to attend a pot luck with a Blue Grass jam session afterwards.  It was very enjoyable and there are some talented musicians hanging out here.  It is located near the downtown and going out to the docks at sunset was a plus.  Reservations are recommended and be sure to arrive during day light. 

No island life would be complete without a beautiful sunset.  It was the perfect way to end our days at the campground.  Life is good!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Check back to read about our birding trip and kayak paddle.  We like the island life.