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| Chassahowitzka River Kayaking, FL | |
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| | Chassahowitzka River Kayaking, FL | | | |
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Chassahowitzka River Kayaking, FL
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| Kayak | 2.14 Miles |
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| | Kayak | 2.14 Miles | 2 Hrs 33 Mns | | 0.86 mph |
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| no partners | | The "Chaz" River arises from springs, called the Seven Sisters, on the "Nature Coast" of west central Florida. It is popular for viewing manatees and other wildlife. You can kayak, or take a tour.
I had driven to Florida from Arizona with my vintage 16-foot fiberglass sea kayak on the roof of my car. I paddled in every state on the way. After 11 days of travel I landed at my friend Buddy's place near Inverness, quite a ways north of Tampa. He has a rough cabin in his backyard (see photo) where I stayed for almost 2 weeks, before going north to stay at my son's place near Jacksonville.
Buddy is new to kayaking, has an inflatable. He's a native Floridian, and is very proud of his state, and of his genteel Southern drawl. And drawl he does, holding forth for hours while puffing on homegrown.
He took me to the Chassahowitzka River for my first taste of Florida paddling. Nicknamed the "Chaz," it is one of those clearwater rivers that arise from springs. Florida has quite a few of this type of waterway. It's a good habitat for manatees and birds.
We didn't paddle far or fast, but it was all splendidly new to me, a sub-tropical paradise. I saw my first anhinga (that's a bird), and lots of manatees, who will come up and nuzzle your kayak (and tip you over if you're not careful!) This didn't happen to me, but I hear it can happen if one suddenly decides to dive under your boat. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
I dunno what they were. |
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| _____________________
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life. |
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