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Courtesy of the University of North Florida

and  Jack Woodward

This past weekend Dot and I went to our favorite river, the St. Mary's. I took her to a different part of the river this time. We put-in at Thompkins Landing boat ramp. There must have been 15 or 20 people camping there on both sides of the river. We think the one family probably had 6 kids. The water level was very low. As proven by a little 5 or so year old girl who managed to wade across the whole river. That and we had to get out and pull the boat through about 4 or 5 shallow spots. And most of those spots were shallow only because trees had fallen into the deeper part of the river. Fortunately we had a really nice breeze blowing all day, because it was pretty warm out. So, on with the trip.

This was near the start of the trip after we had gotten past the people. As is usual when there is just the two of us, we paddled upstream so we could paddle/float downstream at the end of the trip. 

I almost don't like putting up these pictures on this website a day or two after we do this because it REALLY makes me want to be back there again . . right now!

I know the pictures are nice, but until you've been here you just can't fully appreciate it.

Taking a little breather. I know it doesn't look like a hard paddle against the current, but it really is.

There were a LOT of cypress trees and roots along this section of the river.

Inviting isn't it?

This is where we plan on bringing Sabrina Foust on the 10th of June for her first kayak outing. 

This tree was 'blocking' the main channel so we had to get out of the boat and pull it through these shallows.

Same spot looking back downstream from where we came.

Is this peaceful and serene or what?

I know it's a bit blurry but it gets kinda 'dark' along the bank. But I thought this trees' roots were pretty amazing.

This part of the St. Mary's river is broader than it is upstream.

Notice the rippling of the water from the wind. It felt so-o-o-o good.

The roots along the bank were eye-catching to say the least.

This is where we stopped for lunch. This is looking upstream.

This was the 'view' in front of us.

And this is looking downstream.

Cooling off.

I talked Dot into doing it too. It really did feel good.

More roots.

It did get narrow in a few places.

This was one of the last logjams we had to deal with.

Near the center to the right of the 'light' log was an opening through the logjam.

We hope you enjoyed this little outing with us. All told it was about a 9 mile round trip.

This weekend we will be visiting my dad in Lakeland. Hopefully I will be able to show Dot where I get her the lotus flower seed heads.  And see some bald eagles. And a gator or two. 

Enjoy !!

Email to Jack Woodward      mailto:  jackwoodward66@hotmail.com

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