Riverbanks Adventure Forum

The Pithlachascotee River offers paddling tranquility in an urban setting

// April 13th, 2010 // Adventures, Canoeing, Florida, Florida Canoe Trail, Kayaking

 

Cotee River boat ramp at Frances Park by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

Saturday was looking bleak for any chances of outdoor adventure as I had to prepare my 2009 Federal tax return. Fortunately, thanks to online software and tax submission, the whole process took about 3 hours. With that I packed up my kayak and headed 2 miles up the road to paddle the Pithlachascottee River.  Also know as “Cotee” River by the locals, is scenic run along James E. Grey Preserve from Frances Park to the Bridge at Rowen Road. This section is part of the Florida Canoe Trail System.

The scenery at the put-in at Frances Park was breathtaking.   I paused for a moment to take in the blue sky with the white clouds reflecting off the river.  I cringed as my movement added ripples to the perfectly smooth glass-like surface.  I only had to paddle  just as few hundred yard  past homes to arrive at the scenic protected land known as James E. Grey Preserve.  Here I was fortunate to find a Reddish Egret searching along the riverbanks for food.  “What a nice find!” I say to myself as I pause to capture a few photos of this uncommon wading bird.  I paddle on down river relaxing as I take in the scenery. 

Tall Cabbage Palms tower over the river at the peak of an ox-bow river bend.  The spring green colors of the river grasses seemingly glow along the riverbanks.  Two more bends and I have paddled a full “S” and then one-half more.  I hear people talking. They must be the hikers in the preserve.  Just one more bend and I spot the fishing pier jutting out from the James E. Grey Boardwalk.  What a pretty site!  This rustic structure with a tin roof reflecting perfectly off the waters surface.  I appreciate my camera as I am able to capture this moment and take it home with me to share with others.  I continue up this slow moving river and I spot the Yellow Crested Night Heron that I have often seen from the preserve.  He looks at me but does not see me as a threat. He carries on with his business as I watch and follow him for a while.  Another bend and I come upon the James E. Grey canoe launch.  I could stop here and take a break but I am having too much fun!   I know up river from here it is sparsely maintained but I will take my chances with fall trees.  I will turn around when the river tells me too!  From here the river becomes thinner and more shaded, but still just as scenic.  I force my kayak over one log, then another, now I am at the Rowen Bridge. This used to be the old put-in for the Florida Canoe Trail.  I paddle a few hundred yards past the bridge and found a virtually impassable tree.  It is portagable, but my energy level was getting low. Here I decide to turn around.  The paddle back was a nice downstream excursion.  I was lucky to see a bald eagle fly right in front of my kayak as he heard me coming around the ox-bow bend.  I was as startled as much as he.  I watched him fly away to see if there was a nest nearby, but he disappeared into the preserve.

It was a tranquil escape to nature in the middle of bustling suburbia. Just what I needed that day!

Click here to view more photos of the Pithlachascotee River on flickr.