Day 3: Gores Landing to Eureka West Landing

8 miles of the last day on our journey!

We will paddle approx., 8 miles downstream from Gores to Eureka West Landing. This section is among the best paddling in the state. Wildlife-management areas border most of the river, making for a wild setting. The Ocklawaha is said to be a very old river geologically, and as a result has created a mile-wide valley. It has a sand bottom and its waters tend to be very clear with occasional areas where tannin from the swamps colors the water a darker hue.

Animal and bird life are abundant here with the usual raccoons,skunks and armadillo present, as well as deer,fox, and otters and even some elusive troops of Rhesus monkeys originally from downstream on the Silver River. There are side streams and springs to explore as well as rope swings to jump from.

Meet at Gores Landing where we will unload then run our shuttle to Eureka West Landing. Paddle nine gorgeous miles downstream on this beautiful river to takeout at Eureka West Landing.

$5.00 Fee applies at Gores for launch, self pay at entrance to Gores.

Bring your lunch and plenty to drink.

Click on the following GoogleMap link:

http://tinyurl.com/7kaauqv

Gores Landing;  GPS Cords:  20 17'23.0" /   081 55'36.0"

Eureka West;     GPS Cords: 29 22'24.8"  /    081 54'16.0"

PFD's, whistle is the law and is always advised to be worn.

RSVP IF ONLY ATTENDING, NO NEED TO RSVP-NOT ATTENDING.

We will run our own shuttle**It should be understood that all who attend are willing to help with shuttle this is a group endeavor: All watch out for each other and help with shuttle.

As with all of our paddles, we are not guides nor instructors. We are a group of kayaking enthusiasts out for an enjoyable time. We help each other, learn from each and enjoy the privilege of being.  By participating in any of our paddles you assume all risks and responsibilities for your personal health, safety and for your equipment. It is important for everyone that each participant be prepared for the trip. Please use your discretion and best judgment when joining a trip. Be sure you are up to the paddle -- physically, mentally and that your equipment is appropriate for the intended trip. Know and respect your limits. Be safe and you will certainly enjoy another fantastic paddle.

Paddle On!  John B & Peter b

Day 2: Ray Wayside to Gores Landing

10.5 miles of sightseeing!

We will putin at Ray Wayside on Hwy 40 for a ten mile downstream paddle trip. This section is shady, twisting and untouched by civilization. The Silver River flows into the Ock at our putin. The Ock was once slated to become the Cross Florida Barge Channel and is thankfully no more. Mother nature has once again reclaimed this section to its natural wild beauty.

This trip downstream is easy to paddle with a 3mph current to help you along the journey. We will pass through several narrow sections with high limestone bluffs and small sand beaches that offer a place to get out and cool off.

Be on the lookout for wild Rhesus monkeys that have migrated from the Silver River.

Meet at Ray Wayside by 9:00am.

The address listed is for Ocala Yacht Club which is inside Ray Wayside.

We will run our own shuttle to Gores.

$5.00 parking/launch at Ray's.

PLEASE RSVP IF ONLY ATTENDING, NO NEED TO RSVP/NOT-ATTENDING.

We will run our own shuttle**It should be understood that all who attend are willing to help with shuttle. This is a group endeavor: All watch out for each other and help with shuttle.

PFD/WHISTLE IS THE LAW and WEARING PFD/WHISTLE IS ALWAYS ADVISED.

Directions/google map to Rays Wayside(Ocala Yacht Club)

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=29.215519,-81.991589&num=1&sll=28.810823,-81.877858&sspn=0.156488,0.256119&ie=UTF8&ll=29.215669,-81.992705&spn=0.012042,0.

PADDLE ON! John B & Peter b

Our 3 day adventure begins/Moss Bluff Lock to Ray Wayside Park

13.5 miles of fun!

START THE NEW YEAR ON THE OKLAWAHA WITH A GREAT PADDLE

WORKOUT!!

 As part of the massive work programs of the 1930's; the Ocklawaha River was chosen for a huge barge canal,(The Cross Florida Barge Canal) connecting the east and west coasts of Florida.Thankfully due to lack of funding and EPA warnings over the years, the  massive project was cancelled. Unfortunately some parts of the beautiful Ocklawaha River are forever altered.

 We are left with some locks and dams along withcanals. We will be paddling through some of this altering of the Outstanding Ocklawaha. Meet at Moss Bluff Lock and Dam SOUTH; where we will launch from the park area and paddle to lock/dam. We'll enter the lock and while sitting in our kayaks the water level will drop to normal river level, the lock will open and we will begin our 13.5 mile downstream paddle to Ray Wayside and takeout. On the first 6.5 miles, we will paddle on a man made canal that is cleared on the left but has a nice scenic forest on the right. There is a picnic area along the way on this part, where we can stop to eat lunch and relax. Admittingly this section is not the most scenic of the trip; but the next 8 miles makes up for it with awe inspiring towering Cypress trees bordering both banks. The final part of our journey leads us  where the Silver and Ock meet, where the water begins to become clear and we can see some springs and aquatic plant life swaying underneath our kayaks.We then enter the short canal that leads to Ray Wayside and takeout.

 $5.00 fee to park at Ray Wayside, Or pay $5.00 fee at Moss Bluff, pay only at place where you will park vehicle.

From SR40 driving from the  EAST, turn left at CR314A, approx 7miles, right at CR464C, entrance to Moss Bluff SOUTH is over bridge. Moss Bluff NORTH is before bridge, do not go there, that puts you after the lock, SOUTH is where we put in to enter the lock.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110816&ttype=recarea&recid=40326&actid=79&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110360000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=2042&pname=Ocala+National+Forest+-+Moss+Bluff+Lock+%26+Dam

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A 13.5 MILE DOWNSTREAM PADDLE** NOT ADVISED FOR ANYONE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THIS DISTANCE.  This is a great fall/winter paddle, a good workout.

Bring your lunch and plenty to drink, dress accordingly.

 PFD/WHISTLE IS THE LAW AND IS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED TO BE WORN.

 PLEASE ONLY RSVP IF ATTENDING/RSVP NOT ATTENDING IS NOT NECESSARY

The Cutest Otter

Today we saw the cutest little otter just sitting on a fallen tree! He was dry and fuzzy, then he went for a nice swim under our kayaks!

Three Sisters Springs/Hello

  Hello, and welcome to Kayaking Adventures. This is a blog about all the places that I go kayaking with my meet up group: Florida Kayak/Canoe. I will start by saying today we did a very fun paddle at Crystal River. We got to see so many manatees. The only problem with todays paddle was that there were so many people out snorkling with them, that us kayakers barley had any room to paddle! Anyway, it was a very fun paddle and thank you to my father who planned and hosted it. Here is what he posted: 

Pre-Christmas Santa Hat Paddle to meetup with the manatees! Load up your kayak,paddle,pfd,whistle and Santa Hat!

Our 2nd Annual Meet the Manatee Meetup.

Meet at Hunter Springs Park where we will launch our kayaks into Kings Bay for a short paddle to Three Sisters Springs for an amazing encounter with hundreds of friendly manatees!

Three Sisters Springs is the crown jewel of Kings Bay. An ecological marvel, a crystal clear swimming hole which is rejuvenating to mind,body and spirit. Gushing ceaselessly from the recesses of the Florida limestone aquifer, a destination for kayakers, swimmers, snorkelers and wildlife.

Along the way to Three Sisters, we pass  Magnolia Spring; which at this time of the year is a sanctuary to hundreds of the gentle sea cows looking to warm up in winter.

If the winds are kind to us, we can further venture into Kings Bay and explore Millers Creek.

This is a different paddle, as we are not paddling many miles, instead we are meeting up with many manatee and will be spending time observing them and  the gorgeous springs.

**Fun Fact: Baby Manatees can weigh more than 40lbs at birth, and will gain up to 700lbs in the first year! They stay close their mother for several years learning to survive.

Dress in layers, you can always peel off some if it gets warm.

No shuttle necessary.

RSVP IF ONLY ATTENDING, RSVP NOT-ATTENDING IS NOT NECESSARY.

Check out the pics from last years amazing meetup with the manatees:http://www.meetup.com/adventuresinflorida/photos/5048562/

Load up your kayak, wear your Santa Hat and experience an amazing meetup with the manatees!

Bring your camera, snorkel gear/mask.

As with all of our paddles, we are not guides nor instructors. We are a group of kayaking enthusiasts out for an enjoyable time. We help each other, learn from each and enjoy the privilege of being. By participating in any of our paddles you assume all risks and responsibilities for your personal health and safety and for your equipment. It is important for everyone that each participant be prepared for the trip. Please use your discretion and best judgment when joining a trip. Be sure you are up to the paddle -- physically, mentally and that your equipment is appropriate for the intended trip. Know and respect your limits. Be safe, act responsible and you will certainly enjoy another fantastic trip.

PADDLE ON and Merry Christmas!   John B, Peter b & Gigi B   

Thank you and I hope you like my first post. Merry Christmas!