By floridacanoe

Weeki Wachi Revisited

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Since Bill and I were off on a Thursday we decided to try Weeki Wachi on a day that would be less crowded. We contacted Floridacanoe.com again since they had been so accommodating on our last visit. T would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to do a day trip in Central Florida. You will NOT be disappointed!

Krista said to come anytime in the morning. We arrived about 10 and joined another couple that was renting a kayak. It was way easier to enjoy the paddle because we were familiar with the river and there were very few people paddling. The current was not as strong so all the turns the river made could be easily navigated.

It took about two hours at an easy pace, stopping for pictures all the way.

Bear!

Pelican!

Alligator!

Krista is going to organize a more challenging run of six or seven miles a little later in the year. We'll definitely be back for that.

Cool painted retaining wall

By floridacanoe

Brooker Creek

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Last Sunday Bill and I went back to Brooker Creek for a short paddle. Bill had worked Saturday and was somewhat exhausted and Fiona had a head cold and elected to stay in bed and sleep in.











The creek was even calmer than it had been in our previous paddle. After spotting our turtle on the log (who seems to have a friend) we paddled quickly under McMullen Booth Road and up the smaller, windy parts of the creek. There was another smaller road with a bridge that we were able to navigate under. This left us in a small part of the creek where we had to get out and port the canoe. It was way easier than I expected. We then went under a very low bridge (I had to duck all the way down and Bill did all the paddling) we ended up on a golf course. since we had been out for almost two hours we elected to turn around at this point. 






Taking the other branch of the creek back we came upon a large tree entirely blocking our way. Rather than turning back, I got out on the log and Bill lifted the canoe over the tree. I rejoined him and the canoe a little further downstream. Again, not nearly as difficult as I expected.

The return trip was relaxing as the current takes you back and you just have to steer. The turtles were back on the log as we passed. There is about 20 minutes of paddling when you hit the open water and maneuver back to the ramps. Even though there are always other boats (almost exclusively power boats) we have never had to wait for an open ramp.

By floridacanoe

The Trip Not Taken

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Map of the park with no scale included

After Brooker Creek on Saturday we decided to drive up to Tarpon to find the original ramp we were going to launch from on the Anclote River. Instead Fiona found a canoe launch that looked excellent and would put us right in the middle of the Anclote River.

The North Anclote River Nature Park promised a dedicated canoe ramp and easy access. The park was small and wooded with adequate parking, restrooms, and a small playground. What we did not see was where the actual canoe launch was. After observing a sign that said all vehicles would be towed after 8 pm we set off on foot to check out the ramp.

We walked a very long way. By now the bugs were just awful! And no sign of a ramp. We eventually spotted the ramp (which we only identified because of the sign) as a small break in the shrubbery and a little sandy bank. Has anyone actually dragged a canoe or kayak all this distance? Even a very light vessel and a few belongings would be a major undertaking. But for those strong people who really want to paddle the anclote, it gives you a safe place to park your vehicle. Make sure to bring a LOT of bug spray!

The Canoe Launch!

By floridacanoe

Lake Seminole

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On Sunday we put the canoe on the roof with the hopes of getting a quick paddle in somewhere.

We first stopped at Canoe Country to see if we could find a better rack for the top of the Blazer [the factory racks start way too far back] and look for other goodies.

 On the way home, we spotted a series of canals that looked navigable. Fiona checked on her iPhone and found that we were very close to the Lake Seminole boat ramp. Maybe because the weather was looking very overcast, we were almost the only ones using the ramps. For just two dollars you get a parking space very close to the ramps. Although they can be used by any type of boat, that day it was just us and a few jet skis.

 We headed north and crossed under Bryan Dairy Road. There was a very nice community of mobile homes, most with their own dock.

We headed back because the sky was getting darker by the moment. We had just loaded the canoe up when the heavens opened up!

Not sure what this trapeze was for.

 This is a park we will explore again. Even though there is a lot of open water to paddle, there are also many canals in either direction to explore.

Mobile home park on the water.

Great blue heron.

Check out the eagle or osprey nest here in the Lake Seminole Park.

By floridacanoe

Brooker Creek Revisited

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We returned to Brooker Creek because of its close proximity to our house. The ramps are also easy to use even though you must share them with power boats. You can either pay 2 dollars to park without a trailer or 6 dollars with a trailer.

We headed right off the lake into the creek. Because of the heavy rains of thepast week however, the water was moving very rapidly. It was a strenuous paddle
before the overpass and almost impossible once you crossed under. There are not
as many pictures because it took all three of us to paddle.

We did manage to paddle almost to what I think is the end of the creek, but then decided to turn back. The canoe just flew down the creek and we only needed to steer until we hit the open water of lake tarpon.