Summer vacation, here at last! I headed to the Panhandle to paddle a few rivers. These would be my first in this area, and first up—the Chipola River.
I rented a kayak from Bear Paw Canoe Rental in Marianna—a local outfitter with a good selection of kayaks. The owner, Ricky, drove me just north of Marianna, to the put in at Yancy Bridge on FL 166. I began my peaceful paddle (9.8 miles) at 9:30 a.m., the only person on the river—what could be better?
The Chipola River, located in the Central Panhandle, starts north of the Alabama border. It runs 80 plus miles to eventually merge with the Apalachicola River, close to the Gulf. As it passes through the Florida Caverns State Park, the Chipola goes underground for awhile and then re-emerges. Along its journey, various springs (over 60!) and creeks flow into it. (Boning) The Chipola is an Outstanding Florida Water, and 51 miles of it is a Florida Designated Paddling Trail.
Indeed outstanding, the Chipola did not disappoint me! Almost immediately, a great horned owl flew over the river in front of me, landed on an overhanging branch, and watched as I floated beneath him. Belted kingfishers and warblers darted here and there as ibis and herons chilled on the riverside.
Even with the recent rains, I could see the sandy bottom through the beautiful milky blue-green water, thick reeds and eel grass moving with the current. I paddled the cool waterway shaded by thick foliage of oak (several varieties), cypress (draped in long tresses of moss), maple, magnolia, and dogwood, plus many others that I could not begin to identify. How strange not to spot a single cabbage palm! The landscape varied with low swampy woodlands on the east side and limestone banks, bluffs, and caves on the west.
I did encounter one strange phenomenon—a constant humming coming from the woods for much of my paddle, perhaps some kind of insect. Ricky later suggested locusts. (I believe the Florida version is called cicadas.) Regardless, I imagined that a magical wood nymph, attempting to keep the river serene and peaceful, placed them there to help cover the sound of distant traffic sometimes present.
I stopped to climb and play when I reached the limestone caverns on the west bank—what a great spot for a picnic! However, I stayed close to the entrance of the caves, not wandering into the dark depths. Further downriver, I followed a short spring run to my left and paddled around Dykes Springs, trying to capture the swirling blues and greens with my camera. Back on the river, I paddled further and passed Spring Creek.
The thunder had already started, but I made it back to the outfitter at 1:30 p.m., just before the skies opened up and the thunder, lightning, hail, and rain began.
(Outfitter: Bear Paw Adventures. 2100 Bear Paw Lane, Marianna, Florida 32448. http://bearpawescape.com/. (850) 482-4948)
Footprints and Ripples 