02/12/2010 - Ocklawaha River (FL)

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Out of town event: Belton Dykes Memorial River Rat Rendezvous
What: Paddle four rivers in four days.
Base Camp: Camp Kiwanis on Mill Dam Lake in Florida
Today's Paddle: Ocklawaha River, Florida (Day 1 of 4)
Weather: 45 degrees and raining
Distance: Approx 11 Miles. One way trip down stream.

1) Entrance to Camp Kiwanis Organizational Campground in Florida.

2) Due to the miserable weather forecast for today's paddles, participation was way down. Heavy snow created problems for some travelers making it impossible for them to attend the paddle.

3) The staging area at the launch site.

 4) The closer it got to launch time, the harder it rained. We did the paddle but it was a bit miserable. Hoods and pounding rain blocked sound. A fog on the river lowered visibility. Very little animal and bird life was seen.

5) Airplants were abundant in the trees.

6) A closer view of an airplant with a canoe in the background. I think it is Bartram's airplant (Tillandsia bartramii).

7) Red maples were starting to show their seeds.

8) The water was dark. Green palmetto plants and palm trees lined the river banks.

9) Thankfully the rain let up just about the time the paddle was over making the exit from the water and loading of the kayaks easier.

10) After getting back to the camp, the cold front, with some impressive roll cloud formations, finally pushed through. The forecast of freezing temperatures for the middle of Florida for the next couple of nights was disappointing to hear.

To see a track of this trip, click here.