“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.”
Laura Gilpin
I consider myself a novice kayaker. I’ve been kayaking for nearly two years now, and I haven’t left the Intracoastal in my backyard. For two years, I have been saying that I need to venture out into Florida’s rivers. Well, I’m finally doing it.
In July, I am going to spend two weeks launching my “up the river” kayak project. In those two weeks, I plan to kayak as many rivers in Florida that I can. After those two weeks, I will continue throughout the year to paddle as many rivers as possible with the ultimate goal of paddling all of Florida’s rivers. Come along with me, and share your own adventures!
I do have some help with the planning. My sources of information are the following, and I will refer to them throughout my journey:
Alden, Peter, Rick Cech and Gil Nelson. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1998.
Boning, Charles R. Florida’s Rivers. Sarasota: Pineapple Press, Inc., 2007.
Carter, Elizabeth F., et al. Canoeing & Kayaking Florida. 2nd ed. Birmingham: Menash Ridge Press, 2007.
Huff, Sandy. Paddler’s Guide to the Sunshine State. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2001.
Ohr, Tim and Pete Carmicheal. Florida’s Fabulous Canoe and Kayak Trail Guide. CA: World Publications, 2008.