Day 1 (Friday, Nov. 28 – the day after Thanksgiving)
Sanford to Hontoon Island State Park 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. (roughly 20 miles)
We left Sanford late after spending two hours adding what seemed like hundreds of pounds of unnecessary provisions. The day was one of those perfect fall afternoons that make me love Florida so much. The temperature hovered around 75 degrees and a light, southwest wind pushing us gently along from astern. On this first leg, I was joined by my daughters, Amanda, 17, and Jessica, 15, giving us a rare opportunity to spend time together without the distractions of TV, computers and other family members. The girls slept for much of the day, having shopped all night for sales during the aptly-named Black Friday – the magical day on which retailers supposedly break even and begin to make a profit and on which supposedly normal people forego sleep, fight huge crowds and stand in enormous lines to save a few dollars. The time alone at the wheel allowed me to clear out some of the cobwebs and focus on this journey, so long in the back of my mind and finally becoming a reality. I have billed this trip as a way to build relationships along the river for the purpose of protecting a resource that is under growing threat. It is that, but also, for me, so much more. This voyage is one of discovery – discovery of more of this river that I love so much and discovery of my relationship to it and to the society in which we live.
We averted our first disaster at sea just after crossing Lake Monroe by narrowly avoiding a huge submerged log being towed behind a motor boat crossing in front of us. The rest of the day was uneventful, with the river unfolding her beauty for us in her own time. (Like boats, I always think of bodies of water as female, perhaps because of the life they give and our dependence upon them and our often casual disregard for their welfare.
Passing Blue Spring State Park, we saw several kayakers, a few manatees and a large gator. On the west side of the river there is an elbow – which I believe was once the main river channel – where Vicki and I had once anchored for a night. A near-perfect spot with good protection from the wind and large-boat traffic, the bend is frequented by manatees, the breathy exhalations of which can be heard from inside the boat in the stillness of the night.
This area is perfect for kayaking as it is rich with wildlife, protected by no-wake rules and easy to access via Blue Spring State Park, which rents canoes and kayaks, or via a small dirt road just north of the park.
Arriving at Hontoon Island State Park, we were greeted with the sight of its docks nearly full thanks to a gathering by members of the Central Florida Cruising Club. Another group, organized that night, chose a name I am loath to print, but proved to be just as friendly and welcoming. Members of both groups committed to working with us to protect the river and I am encouraged by the reception we received.
Sanford to Hontoon Island State Park 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. (roughly 20 miles)
We left Sanford late after spending two hours adding what seemed like hundreds of pounds of unnecessary provisions. The day was one of those perfect fall afternoons that make me love Florida so much. The temperature hovered around 75 degrees and a light, southwest wind pushing us gently along from astern. On this first leg, I was joined by my daughters, Amanda, 17, and Jessica, 15, giving us a rare opportunity to spend time together without the distractions of TV, computers and other family members. The girls slept for much of the day, having shopped all night for sales during the aptly-named Black Friday – the magical day on which retailers supposedly break even and begin to make a profit and on which supposedly normal people forego sleep, fight huge crowds and stand in enormous lines to save a few dollars. The time alone at the wheel allowed me to clear out some of the cobwebs and focus on this journey, so long in the back of my mind and finally becoming a reality. I have billed this trip as a way to build relationships along the river for the purpose of protecting a resource that is under growing threat. It is that, but also, for me, so much more. This voyage is one of discovery – discovery of more of this river that I love so much and discovery of my relationship to it and to the society in which we live.
We averted our first disaster at sea just after crossing Lake Monroe by narrowly avoiding a huge submerged log being towed behind a motor boat crossing in front of us. The rest of the day was uneventful, with the river unfolding her beauty for us in her own time. (Like boats, I always think of bodies of water as female, perhaps because of the life they give and our dependence upon them and our often casual disregard for their welfare.
Passing Blue Spring State Park, we saw several kayakers, a few manatees and a large gator. On the west side of the river there is an elbow – which I believe was once the main river channel – where Vicki and I had once anchored for a night. A near-perfect spot with good protection from the wind and large-boat traffic, the bend is frequented by manatees, the breathy exhalations of which can be heard from inside the boat in the stillness of the night.
This area is perfect for kayaking as it is rich with wildlife, protected by no-wake rules and easy to access via Blue Spring State Park, which rents canoes and kayaks, or via a small dirt road just north of the park.
Arriving at Hontoon Island State Park, we were greeted with the sight of its docks nearly full thanks to a gathering by members of the Central Florida Cruising Club. Another group, organized that night, chose a name I am loath to print, but proved to be just as friendly and welcoming. Members of both groups committed to working with us to protect the river and I am encouraged by the reception we received.
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