Hello, old friend. Happy New Year!
I paddled my first Florida river in July 2010 and have paddled over forty Florida rivers since. Unquestionably, Fisheating Creek holds a place in my top five. I love this waterway!
As I have done in the past (because I have yet to buy my own kayak, and I need a drop anyway), I rented a kayak from the Fisheating Creek Outpost in Palmdale. (The people are great; the kayaks, a bit worn.) They dropped me, along with five others, around 10:00 a.m. at the Burnt Bridge put-in, giving us an eight-mile paddle back to the outpost—about four hours. I waited to put in last, standing on the shore and taking it all in. Fish jumped as if playing a tune on a xylophone, and then, seemingly on cue, an alligator glided slowly along the top of the water in the distance. It all appeared to be an opening number of a musical, a glimpse of something wonderful yet to come.
This would be my third paddle on Fisheating Creek. I paddled it in October 2011 and July 2014—both times with a much higher water level. The level on New Year’s Day was just over three feet. To paddle without portaging requires a minimum of one and a half feet. I would not want to portage on this creek with as many gators as I saw this day.
I paddled away from the shore, feeling somewhat secure that I had remembered to bring my snake knife this time! Tall cypress, turned brown and draped in moss shrouds and air plants, framed the waterway. Twenty minutes into my paddle, I entered the cypress swamp—my favorite part—and paddled among the cypress trees, twisting left, then right, the landscape deserving the front cover of a nature magazine. Paddling this creek for the third time, I have discovered that it’s pretty darn important to watch for the small kayak signs to stay on the trail. More than once I had to turn around and find the trail again.
The other paddlers had gone ahead, so I was alone in the swamp, enjoying the sweet melody of bird sounds—such as the honking of the ibis and croaking of the great blue herons. (I know, melodious, right?) I paddled past wood storks—happy to see them amongst the others, and lots of vultures, egrets, anhinga and cormorants. Gators sun bathed on the shore, not bothered when I paused to take a picture–while others bobbed in the water as I floated by. I spotted more gators than ever—perhaps due to the low water level forcing them closer to the trail. At times, I had to choose my path—to the left or right—based on gator sightings.
About three hours into my paddle, I spotted a patch of sand on the side of the creek and pulled up for a quick stretch before paddling the last hour on this beautiful waterway. (Sigh) What a great way to begin the New Year!
(Fisheating Creek Outpost. 7555 US Highway 27 North. Palmdale, FL 33944. https://fisheatingcreekoutpost.com/. (863) 675-5999)
Footprints and Ripples 
Susan, it sounds like another beautiful paddle day on the creek . Glad you enjoyed the trip and wish I could have paddled with your group. Glad to hear you didn’t have any problems with the gators or spiders as you launched. You do a great job describing the paddle and the journey so I think it’s time you started compiling your journeys and notes to write a book.
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Thanks, Rick. Like I said in the post, Fisheating Creek is one of my very favorite paddles. I don’t think I would ever get tired of seeing it. 🙂
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Mark, it’s really a must paddle river! I never get tired of it, and it never looks exactly the same.
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That’s awesome . When’s your next adventure ? Would love to join you . You have an awesome blog .. It’s a great resource for novices like me . Thank you
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Mark, what rivers have you paddled so far? What have you liked? I’m glad you like my blog. I really started it just so I wouldn’t forget where I had been! Next, I believe I will be paddling St. Johns River with a friend. However, I am always up for another trip to Fisheating Creek. It’s actually closer for me.
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No groups, Mark. I like the solitude and nature as well.
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Hello, Susan. I want to inquire into using one of your photos for personal use.
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Susan, your pictures are beautiful! I would like permission to use one for personal use. I would need a large file, not just a download of the ones on the page.
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Hi Pamela. I’m sorry to just be getting back to you. If you tell me which pictures, I can see if my files are bigger than those posted!
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Cypress Reflections on Fisheating creek, 2639 x 1799 pixels, at least. And they may say they are, but if I download them, they won’t be, I’ve discovered that with other pictures. You’ll probably have to email it to me, using your best setting.
I want to make a present for my boyfriend, and I think this would make a lovely one. We live in SW Louisiana, and he’s a crazy fishing man! I’m want to put a heart with our names on it on the big tree trunk. and have 2 x 6 ft canvas made. We have enormous empty walls, and I’m wanting a certain cabin feel to it, this will be amazing. I will, of course, have your name in the corner, name of the picture, etc. If you’d want that any certain way, let me know.
I can’t thank you enough, it’s so hard finding what I liked, and then to be able to have it, well that took three tries. But I must say yours are gorgeous.
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I’ll check that one out. I think it’s the same one that I have framed on my wall. I just had a copy made for a friend of mine as well. I did that picture of Withlacoochee south on a large canvas and it blew up pretty well. Do you want to send me an email address?
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You are such an angel! pmbourque2@gmail.com
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Pamela, did you receive my email, and was the file large enough?
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I did get it, and I believe it will be. I don’t have Photoshop right now and I’m working with a new program that does just differently enough to drive me nuts, lol. I think it’s going to work out just fine though.
Thank you again
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You are most welcome, Pamela. I hope it works out for you. Is sounds like a cute idea!
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