Riverbanks Adventure Forum

Manatee – Gentle Giants Abundant at Blue Springs State Park

// December 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // Adventures, Canoeing, Florida, Hiking, Kayaking

Manatee Munching by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

After a warm and friendly Thanksgiving Dinner with some new found friends this year, we decided it would be best to shed the excessive calories and avoid the aggressive shopping crowds by hiking outdoors on Black Friday.  Coincidentally a Florida cold front had been over the middle part of the state for two nights.  Florida cold fronts are mild compared to other parts of the United States, but two nights back to back in the low 40’s is enough to force the West Indian Manatee to seek warm waters in the Springs.  Florida Springs always stay at a consistent 72-74 degrees Fahrenheit year round and are perfect places for Manatees and other aquatic life to seek refuge when the water temperatures begin to drop. 

Manatee Calf eating algae off a railing

For our outing we decided to travel to Blue Springs State Park and walk along the Boardwalk Trail that parallels the scenic spring run.  To our delight, manatees were abundant and full of character in the spring run today.  Mothers and calves seeking refuge, lone Manatees resting on the bottom of the spring, and others seeking food anywhere they see fit.  One manatee was munching the ferns off a fallen cabbage palm, another was chewing on a buoy rope, and a medium size calf was eating the algae off the railing of  the observation deck!  The Boardwalk itself was a wonderful 1/2 mile hike from the St. Johns River to the Blue Spring Headwaters with many areas along the way to observe these adorable gentle giants. 

Along with the manatees, there was plenty of other wildlife around for viewing including fish hunting birds such as Anhingas and Cormorants and freshwater fish such as Alligator Gar, Tarpon and others that can be easily recognized in the crisp clear spring water.

The Blue Spring boardwalk is great for families with children and ADA accessible for visitors who have special needs.  The park also offers canoe rental for those who would like to venture into the St. Johns river and have  a closer encounter with these playful see cows.   St. Johns River Cruises  offers guided River Tours from which you will not only see manatee, but will venuture up the St Johns River to other points of interest that offer an intimate view of wildlife.  This pontoon boat is also one of the few on the St. Johns River that is ADA compliant for passengers with special needs. 

See more photos of Blue Spring on flickr

Withlacoochee River Park – A cultural and natural gem in the heart of the Green Swamp

// November 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Adventures, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Florida, Florida Canoe Trail, Hiking, Kayaking

Hollowed Tree by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

Withlacoochee River Park is a great place for family gatherings or just a nice place to unwind and spend the day!
The Withlacoochee River Park is part of the Green Swamp and sits on the banks of the Withlacoochee River South. There is a canoe launch for paddling and fishing, several picnic areas, primitive campsites through the park, group campsites, a 2.5 mile nature trail that connects with a 5.5 mile Florida Trail hiking spur just outside of the park. The park also provides cultural learning opportunities with an original native American ceremonial hut in a small replica Indian Village complete with archery range. There is also a small replica Florida Cracker village near to group campsite for scouts to play. Be alert for the displays of chainsaw art carved in tree stumps in the forms of statues and chairs that add whimsy to this vast forest.
The park is also handicapped friendly as it provides a paved path throughout the park the parallels the nature trail in several spots. Families also frequent this trail on bicycles for a nice ride through the forest.

Saturday I met my friend Sandra Friend to hike the Withlacoochee River Park for her new edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida. We began our journey along the West bank of the River where the Florida Trail Association maintains a 5.5 mile spur trail just outside of the park. Although it is not part of the main National Scenic Florida Trail, it is a nice jaunt that leads you along the west flood plain of the river laden with Cypress knees. It drifts slightly west into the sand-hills with resurrection fern covered live oaks and an occasional greenfly orchid. Plants that only thrive in the most humid of conditions! The trail leads you to a primitive campsite and loops back with the option to either enter the park or retrace your steps back along the river. Saturday we felt adventurous and veered into the park to follow 2.2 mile nature trail. This trail was a pleasant trek as it leads you through a diversity of natural Florida habitats. We trekked through an oak hammock boasting mature live oaks with winding twisting arms blanketed underneath with contrasting lime green saw palmettos. The trail then leads you on a boardwalk over a wet prairie currently covered with mustard yellow button flowers and amber colored fall grasses back into a sand-hill habitat with spots of  purple blazing star and puffs of grey deer moss. A sturdy viewing tower sits at the north end of the loop and worth the five storey climb for breathtaking views of the Green Swamp. You can see Cypress domes line the Withlacoochee River shores in the distance. As we continued through the sand-hills the trail crosses the vast wet prairie again over another boardwalk. We came upon a replica Florida cracker village next to a large group campsite with families and young scouting boys full of energy and delight as they played in these historic landmarks. We continued through the village and back on the trail to come upon a native American ceremonial hut with a practice archery range behind it. We revelled in the Indian Village a few moments imagining the lifestyles our predecessors had lived on these lands before us. From here we followed the nature trail back to the picnic area in which we parked our cars.
Withlacoochee River Park is truly an enjoyable place to hike!

Guide Books: 50 Hikes in Central Florida

View more photos of the Withlacoochee River Park

Summer Family Fun! Fossil Hunting the Peace River, Florida

// June 14th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Adventure Vacations, Canoeing, Florida Canoe Trail, Kayaking, Peace River

Fossils from the Peace River, Florida

If you are looking for an adventure to share with the kids, a nice way to stay cool and still be outdoors is paddling  the Peace River panning for fossils.  Watching the excitement on children’s faces with each fossil that is uncovered is pure joy.  It is amazing that some of these specimens are 12 million years old!

The Peace River in the southwestern part of the Florida Peninsula is well known for its prehistoric finds mainly from the Pleistocene (2 million years ago) and Miocene (12-28 million years ago) eras.  Due to its slow current, the Peace River is one of the few places in Florida were the fossils found here can be very well preserved. (more…)

James E Grey Preserve, New Port Richey's Best Kept Secret

// June 7th, 2009 // No Comments » // Fishing, Florida, Florida Canoe Trail, Florida History, Hiking, Kayaking

Pavilion at James E Grey Preserve

James E Grey preserve is not easy to find but worth the hunt!  This preserve lies at the west end of a Plathe Road off Rowan Road. When you turn west onto this road, there will be a “No Outlet Sign. Not only does the road end, you must drive through an open gate that gives it the appearance of a private drive. You will have every inclination to turn around..but don’t!  Once you follow this drive the 80 acre preserve encompassing the Pithlachascotee (Cotee)
River is an oasis of old Florida Wilderness in the middle of suburban Pasco County.
At the trail head there is some parking, a pavilion, fishing dock and canoe put-in. On hot summer days I have seen teens use this area as a swimming hole diving off the Oak Tree Branches that reach over the river. Although this is not recommended. Like any other natural part of Florida, there are gators and water snakes that live in the tanic waters.

Kayaking the 'Cotee River

The park is the end of a Florida Canoe Trail that runs from Frances Park 4.5 mile down the river. The river runs slow but has many hairpin turns that will be challenging for the beginner but navigable. This section is very scenic with practically no development along the shores of the river.  Visitors can also kayak through the canals of the preserve, which has natural Florida ecosystems, hardwood hammock uplands and swamps.

Boardwalk at James E. Grey Preserve

The City of New Port Richey recently (2007) built a 1/2 mile board walk with a fishing pier that runs along the river. This section is classified as one of Florida’s Great Birding Trails.  Actually, the brown Birding Trail Signs on Rowan Road are the only indication that a park is back here.  The Park information sign boasts that 140 different species of birds has been spotted here.
The trails continues around the park and back to a picnic area that has restroom facilities, three tin roofed pavilions with grills and picnic tables, and a large parking area. There is a total of 2 miles of trails in the park for hiking and birding.

This is also a fun place for GEOCaching. I will not tell you which caches are here..but the coordinates of the park are: Lat. 28 deg 14 min N, Long. 82 deg 42 min W.   Here is my hint: Bring children…there will be some crawling in the dirt!

Hiking Trail at James E. Grey Preserve

History: The Preserve is named after James E. Grey, a Pasco County Pioneer that died in 1985.   Mr. Grey was the first male child born in the City of New Port Richey after it was established in 1915.  He was considered a small hometown hero as the first Quarterback of the Football Team at Gulf  High School and, later, the Captain at the local volunteer Fire Department.

Wildflowers, James E Gray Preserve