Kayaking- Silver Spring River

Silver River Paddle                                                                                        6 miles

2:29 moving time, 3:37 elapsed time, 2.4mph avg, 9.6 max speed

 We had a relaxing morning as the Silver Spring River is just a few miles away. Scotty took the truck to the take-out and I was able to walk around the park since we’re staying at the State Park. This park was started back in the late 1800s. There are meandering paths many small gardens. I saw pink azaleas, some hanging Spanish moss and other well manicured garden sites. There is also a patio That surrounds the head springs. There are also glass bottom boat that still run up and down the springs for a few miles. 

Scotty and I met back at the kayak launch. After several yards we turned right and went down the Fort King paddling trail as we have never been this way before. We paddled along with two women that lived in Florida and we’re also out enjoying the weather. It was an absolutely beautiful day, in the 70s with bright blue skies. We got out into the main channel and made our way down. Today we saw many alligators sunning in the marshy grasses. One of the women pointed out the black birds that often sit in the trees.We always thought they were cormorants. But cormorants are the black birds with a curved beak at the end and anhingas have a straight beak. We saw many people on the river today, many of them old retired folks like us. It probably was the most crowded we had seen this river. Too bad these old folks weren’t home watching soap operas. We ate lunch at the campground dock Where many other people had the same idea. The thing is on the silver river there is no where to pull over so this was the only chance we had to actually get on shore. We knew this was a short paddle so we were taking our time anyway.Soon after the 4 mile marker, we saw the monkeys.We stopped to enjoy their antics and then finished up and took out at Ray Wayside Park. Once back at the campground we cleaned up and sat outside for a while. We then cook dinner and relaxed. Another great retirement day.

Scotty's Bike Ride - 4.32 miles

Silver River Paddle - 6 miles