I paddled the Santa Fe River on Friday and chose the run from 441 to Rum Island, about 7 miles. (The river is 76 miles long.) This route would take me by three springs: the Poe, the Lilly, and the Rum Island. I put in at 11:00 a.m. and ended the trip four hours later at Rum Island.
Carter (et al) rated the scenery on the Santa Fe a “B,” perhaps because of the gentle reminders of civilization. In the beginning of the trip, I could hear the sound of light traffic in the background, and by the time I reached the mid-way point, homes started to pop up on the left bank. Old plastic chairs rested on private docks, places where I imagine homeowners sit to watch the river go by. However, I enjoyed a quiet paddle; I did not see many people on the river.
Even with the ever-present reminders of civilization, nature did present itself. Only 15 minutes into my paddle, I spotted a deer ahead on the left bank. I saw flocks of water birds swimming and heard birds calling in the trees. A large alligator slithered into the water to my right. He swam along the bank for a short while and then disappeared into the water. I saw more turtles sunning on logs than any other paddle—hundreds, perhaps thousands—by the end of the trip! Several shared a log with a small alligator. Cypress with huge trunks and roots bordered the sides. I avoided paddling too close to the low hanging trees on the banks because of the stories I had heard about snakes dropping out of the trees. I paddled with the current, although it was slow, not like the Ocklawaha or the Silver Rivers’ swift currents.
The Santa Fe River originates in Lake Santa Fe and then passes through the Santa Fe Swamp. The river goes underground at O’Leno State Park and emerges three miles later, considerably larger than before and most likely fed by underground springs. Eventually, it joins with the Suwannee River.
The water was very low for the first 15 minutes of my paddle, and just as I was preparing to step out to pull my kayak through the marsh-like water, it deepened. (I was quite happy that I did not have to step out of my kayak into this marshiness!) When it deepened, the water became tannin-colored, and I could not see the sandy bottom of the river. I had read that the Santa Fe is typically clearer in this part of the river because of the number of springs that flow into it, so the darkness of the water may have been due to the recent rain or the level of the water.
Although the numbers vary depending upon source, there are over 50 springs in the Santa Fe River; about 36 of them major springs. On my paddle, I passed three of these major springs: Poe, Lily, and Rum Island. I stopped at Lily Spring and met Naked Ed. I chatted with him for about 30 minutes before I finished my paddle to Rum Island. (Be sure to read my sidebar on Naked Ed.)
Although the escape was not as complete as with the Silver or Ocklawaha Rivers, my paddle on the Santa Fe was beautiful and full of wildlife.
(Outfitter: Santa Fe Canoe Outpost, 21410 US 441, High Springs, FL 32643. https://www.highsprings.us/parksrec/page/santa-fe-canoe-outpost-0. (904) 454-2050)
Footprints and Ripples 