Just the thought of getting in and out of a kayak seemed daunting to Eileen Hoppert of Oak Run in Ocala.
Kayaks from Marion County Parks & Recreation ready for launch at KP Hole in Dunnellon
Then her book club read “Twenty Wishes” by Debbie Macomber and a friend suggested that Eileen make a list of five wishes. Still she didn’t feel brave enough to put kayaking in writing.
Along came a program called Kayak 101 put on by the Marion County Parks & Recreation Department. She took that class with a friend and that put a paddle in her hands.
“I got brave enough,” Eileen says. “It was easier doing it with a friend.”
Eileen Hoppert of Oak Run ready to go kayaking on Rainbow River in Dunnellon
She’s paddling now! The day I met Eileen at KP Hole in Dunnellon a group led by Cathy Norris, recreation manager for Marion County Parks & Recreation Department, was getting ready for a kayak outing on the Rainbow River. Eileen was smiling.
She executed a perfect kayak entrance – stand slightly sideways, then rear end down into the seat, swing legs over the side. A volunteer pushed her kayak into the water and she was off.
Jim, a volunteer with Marion County Parks and Recreation, does the kayak entrance
“Remember everything I taught you,” Norris said as Eileen started paddling on the river. The sky was blue, cloudless. The sun was shining. Sea grasses swayed underwater. Perfect kayak weather.
If you have the slightest twinge of nature deficit disorder, because you haven’t been out in a while, summer doldrums got to you, or like Eileen you are not sure if you can do this, now is the time to get the cure, get with a friend or family and get out on the water.
Canoes for rent at KP Hole in Dunnellon
Paddling is a great way to see natural Florida
Kayaking, canoeing, floating down a river on a tube all have amazing restorative powers – you float, paddle, laze along past Florida with some of the wildness still attached to the shoreline.
Tubers lauch themselves to float downstream on the Rainbow River
Cormorants sit on tree limbs with wings spread, drying them out so they’ll fly again. Anhingas pop up in front of your kayak, underwater swimmers with their own agenda.
sea grasses near the dock at KP Hole in Dunnellon
Turtles sun themselves on fallen logs. An alligator is spotted in the marshes. A great blue heron stares at the water’s surface, standing still, hoping that fish will forget it is there and swim close.
It is a journey, a workout without pressure, a relief from landlocked concerns. Your watercraft doesn’t carry much. That is a good thing – left behind are the day timers, watches, and the full laundry basket that will wait while you float along, de-stress and wonder what took you so long to be here now.
There is a river or lake near you with kayaks and canoes ready for paddling
Floating down the Rainbow River near Dunnellon, Florida
There is a river or lake near you. And there is sea kayaking. The steward of Florida’s Water Trails is the Florida Paddling Trails Association
This is a good site to find the water possibilities near you.
Some trips are a rite of passage, part of the real Florida experience every visitor or resident should do. Like tubing down the Ichetucknee River It is a must do, six miles of natural Florida inside Ichetucknee Springs State Park.
Located near Fort White, tubing is very popular between May and early September.
At KP Hole in Dunnellon tubing and shuttle services run April 1 through September 30th. Canoes and kayaks can be rented. Check all canoe/kayak Web sites for particulars – such as having a driver’s license and credit card and fees.
Organized trips are great fun. Adventure Outpost in High Springs does canoe and kayak trips. Get on Lars Andersen’s free “wanta go” e mail list for upcoming adventures.
Lars writes awesome descriptions of the ecology, history and lore of each trip. Phone (386) 454-0611 or e mail mailto:[email protected]
Naturally, there are festivals. The Hidden Coast Paddling Festival happens Sept. 18-25 and starts in Cedar Key in conjunction with their Kayak Fishing Tournament. You can download (free) from the Festival website a book with day trips on the Big Bend Coast from Cedar Key to the Aucilla River.
The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival happens Oct. 29-Nov.7, 2010. This Blueway is a 190-mile marked paddling trail on Southwest Florida.
For a good read, see Herb Hiller’s article for VISIT FLORIDA on paddling pursuits.
Fall is here, enjoy it on the water. See you there.
Eileen Hoppert launching kayak for ride on the Rainbow River
©2010 Lucy Beebe Tobias Web site: www.LucyTobias.com
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