Kayaking 5/20- An Alligator is Chasing Us Down Silver Springs

 An Alligator is Chasing Us Down Silver Springs                                   11.3 miles                                                                                            

Avg 2.4 mph, Max 9.6 mph, 4:46 moving time, 5:51 elapsed

We put in at Ray Wayside Park at 11:35. The temperature was about 85°. It was uneventful paddling up river and it was a very hot day. We averaged about a mile and a half per hour. We did pass several boats coming back down stream, and thought some of them may have been rentals as they were inflatable kayaks. We passed ducks,, a few herons, several loons and comorants. We stopped for a break and a short snack after about 3 1/2 miles. When we arrived at Silver Springs State Park, we saw the glass bottom boat touring around.We also saw a rookery of comorants  and just below the trees was an alligator. We only got out briefly at Silver Springs State Park before we turned around to make the trek back. It was much nicer going down stream and we traveled at about 3 1/2 mph. 

We did not stop until we saw an alligator along the side. Richie didn’t see it so he paddled back up. I think the alligator heard me making fun of him breathing in the river like a Netti pot. Obviously he didn’t have a sense of humor and he chased us down river. I was going to exaggerate and say the alligator was 9 feet long until I realized a 6 foot alligator chasing you is just as scary.This may have been when we were traveling at 9.6 mph, our fastest speed of the day. 

We were within half a mile of the  takeout when we heard heavy breathing and then saw a pair of nostrils right in front of Richie’s boat. Our hearts stopped thinking it was an alligator and then we realized it was a manatee. We had expected to see a manatee so that was fun to watch him come up again up river. We were all extremely glad to finally end this long, hot paddle. Tip for the future -  only paddle this river in cooler months if you plan to go upstream and back. 

We stopped for dinner at Lena‘s restaurant which is actually originated in Salisbury, Massachusetts. The guys had all you can eat shrimp and fish and I had broiled flounder. It was an excellent meal and we left stuffed. It lived up to its reputation - “a whale of a meal.”

Yummy x three!

Family 5/19- Furniture Delivery

This is not a kayaking, hiking, touring post.  Instead I wanted to post photos of this table.  Amanda wanted a table for her small studio apartment.  We couldn't find one, so we did the next and better thing.  Scotty made one.  It's made of maple.  The maple had to dry out and it took awhile for that to happen.  He finished it before our trip and so we delivered it to Atlanta on our way down to Florida.  She liked it!  Darn - or I would have had to take it home!

Harpeth River - The Eagle Has Landed

 Harpeth River -                                                                              5.4 miles

1:30 moving time 

Another day on the Harpeth, but TODAY we saw an eagle.  He didn't even move as we paddled past!

Red River - Porters Chapel To Adams

 Red River                                                                         11.4 miles, 3:00 moving time

Kayaking - Sulphur Creek Workout 3/23/19

Sulphur Creek Workout 3/23/19                                              1 mile                1407.1 total
33:48 moving time, 1.9 avg mph, 4/3 max mph
Temp started at 30 degrees when we left the house, rose to 60 degrees

We had posted a paddle with Paddling Buds and Clarksville Kayaking friends, but had no takers.  So we decided to try Sulphur Creek.  The recent rains had raised the level of this creek to make it possible to paddle.  The depth of the Red River is about 7 feet, but the depth of Sulphur Creek where we paddled ranged from 1 foot to 3 or 4 feet.  Like last weekend, the skies were a beautiful blue and signs of spring were all around us.  As we paddled along, we saw buds and hints of green all around us.  We paddled under two bridges until we got to a spot where there were 'rapids'.  And when I say 'rapids', the water depth was probably about 2 feet, but the current was extremely strong and we just couldn't paddle past it.  There was a sandy bar here so we decided to stop for lunch, even though we had only paddled half a mile.  It was a beautiful spot for a lunch break as we could view our 'treacherous' rapids and a beautiful red Tennessee barn set in front of the gorgeous blue sky.  We noticed that the water current seemed milder across from the rapids so we tried to paddle upstream there.  Again, no luck.  So we turned our kayaks around and headed back to the Red River.  We can at least say that we have no paddled Sulphur Creek.

Our lunchtime view.

Lunch spot.

Some cool root formations.  It won't be long before these trees fall over.

The first bridge leading up Sulphur Creek.

The second iron bridge going up Sulphur Creek.

I just thought this looked cool.

Standing on the bank of Sulphur Creek, looking out towards the Red River.

Red River on the left, Sulphur Creek leading up to the right.
These are the steps leading down from Port Royal State Park.

Yummy praline snack on the way home.

Kayaking - Spring is Here - Red River 3/17/19

Spring is Here - Red River 3/17/19                                                11.3 miles        1406.1 total
2:45 minutes moving time, Average Speed 4.1mph, Max Speed 9.6 mph
Temperature in morning about 35 degrees, but rose to almost 60 degrees


The skies are blue!  The skies are blue!  We loaded up our kayaks and headed over to the Red River.  We put in at Porters Chapel TWRA Access and took out at Red River Canoe.  The river level was higher than usual at 8 feet so the water was moving quickly.  At the put-in and the take-out, there was mud covering the ramps pretty far up.  And as we paddled, we saw lots of branches and debris stuck up in the trees.  At one point, there was a child's plastic, red car dangling above the river from a branch.  It always saddens me to see so much trash lining the banks of this river, and sadly, as the season continues, the trash increases.

We've never noticed so many cave openings before.  With the foliage down, we had a better viewing.

Heron Rookery

We saw the most turtles today EVER on this river.

This tree is blocking the passage by the big gravel bar where we typically stop for lunch.   Because the river was so high today, we could go around the gravel bar, but once the water drops, this will be the only path.  Uhoh!

Entrance to Bell Witch Cave

No words.