Kayaking 5/21- We Chase an Alligator down Juniper Springs

 Juniper Springs                                                                         7.3 miles

11:45-3:00, 2:51 moving time, 3:07 elapsed time, 2.6 mph, Max 6.0 mph.     85-95 degrees

When we put in at Juniper Springs, the attendant said we were number 9, 10 and 11 on the river.  It was nice paddling down the river without other people to worry about, as it's hard to pass on this river.  At one point, we did pass two canoes and helped two young girls get their canoe unstuck from the bank.  We passed another couple in their kayaks having lunch.  Good idea to stay in the kayak here because if there are alligators around, there's no place to run.  Once again it was like traveling down a log flume or an amusement park ride on this spring.

The most exciting part of the day happened early when we saw an alligator floating down the springs in front of us. We followed him for quite awhile before he pulled over into a little bay.  Altogether we saw about six alligators, some very young ones.  There was one especially big alligator, yet we'll never know how many alligators saw us.  We stopped at one point and had our lunch - again IN the kayaks!

We were nice and let Scotty have the small kayak so he didn't have the trouble that Richie and I had bumping into the banks and trees.  There was a deer that came right down to the water and didn't even mind me taking her picture as she had her lunch along the springs.  We also saw several turtles both in the water and on logs. 

After loading up the kayaks, we drove back to the start of Juniper Springs where Scotty and Richie swam in the cold water, a full 72 degrees.  We ate dinner at Castaways Restaurant where I had crab cakes, Scotty had a crab cake sandwich and Richie had grilled grouper.  Not an overly impressive dinner so maybe it's okay that I forgot to take a picture of the food.

It's not easy getting the kayaks down this path.  This year, Scotty had
the great idea of tying the kayaks down onto the carts.  Much easier!!!

The start of the run.  It feels like you are
entering an amusement park ride.  The springs
are pretty narrow the whole way down!

A turtle!

See the turtle?

The springs is listed as 'intermediate' paddling level.
This is why!

Look ahead in the water and you can see the head of the alligator
in the water.  We followed him down. I was third in line - good spot!

Here's the alligator when he pulled over.  Or maybe it's a she -
I didn't stop to ask pronouns.

Happy, Happy, Happy!

Another alligator head - this time a cute, little baby.

This deer had no fear.  I even paddled back upstream to take pictures.
I got several and also of her walking back into the woods.  This
was one of the better, clear ones.

Sunbathing.

At the end of the springs, the water widens and the sky is visible.
Otherwise, you're paddling most of the time under a canopy.

Great take-out at the end.

These are the springs at the put-in.

Fun with an underwater camera.  :)

Goofy boys.

Smile!

This was deep enough for me.  The springs are at a constant 72 degrees, too cold for me.

Eeek, the eel says.

Juniper Springs, USDA Recreation Area