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.”
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.”
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| Yummy x three! |
