Today we went on a kayaking adventure on the Rainbow River, a trip we have wanted to take for quite awhile. We have spent time walking around and enjoying the scenery at Rainbow River Park but have never gotten out on the water except for a few short minutes in a rented canoe about three years ago. Today, the water was perfect. We arrived at 8am before most folks had finished breakfast and had a glorious morning getting to know a new stretch of water.
This river is a body of water that was so filled with garbage in the 1970's that is was not even usable. After much concern by local residents, with several ordinances enacted and three tons of garbage removed from the river bottom, this pristine place emerged. Now controlled by the state, it was formerly a privately owned tourist attraction with glass-bottomed boats cruising the headspring. The beautiful Rainbow River is one of the finest spring-fed rivers in Florida. The water source is a first magnitude spring, one of the largest in Florida. Many smaller springs add to the flow in this river. Today it is protected by strictly enforced ordinances and one is not allowed to bring any food or beverage on the river unless it is in a re-usable container that is not a throw-away.
Sue, our guide, took Janet and I into a little narrow spring run that gave me, in particular, some great paddling experience in tight spaces. At one point, we had to lean forward in our boats to go under an overhanging tree and I got wedged in and had to shimmy myself out. Even though the water was very shallow, it took some maneuvering to get un-stuck.
With rain in the forecast and a stiff wind coming up, we called it a day by noon. However, the day was awesome amid the herons, cormorants, and turtles on the Rainbow River. This beautiful place is only twenty minutes from home so you can bet we'll be back.
3 comments:
WOW
BEAUTIFUL! nice composition in the photos Jan!
what a stunning morning it looks like you spent. Wish i could have been there with you. not THIS is the wat to spend mother day :-)
no alligators?
Taking the photos was challenging what with the current, getting the camera in and out of its waterproof pouch, no hands left for the paddle and Shirley moving away at a good pace. Much of the time the sun prevented me from seeing anything in the viewfinder, so it was often a guess as to what I would be shooting. I just realized I could have just stood up in the shallow water, assuming I could get out of the kayak fast enough to still see anyone ahead of me! Maybe I could have lurched out and waited until they cam back down the run. Now, that is a possibility. Next time. This is a great place to have a tandem so the photographer can concentrate on just photos. When you all come we can try that.
the visual alone is FUNNY!!
yes, we should plan on a tandem when we are there next. it looks pretty irresistible.
Post a Comment