Kayaking

The planned outing at Blue Springs Park got off to a bad start. When we arrived at the entrance to the park there was a sign indicating that the park was closed for the holidays. Since everyone had given us cell phone numbers, we were able to redirect them and move the activity to a wayside park on the Santa Fe River.

pic8 Kids starting out on the river pic8	pic9 Mom has her first kayak experience pic9	pic10 She is a natural pic10	pic11 Two for a spin pic11
pic12 From the smile it must be fun pic12	pic13 Playing "Pass the paddle" pic13	pic14 There is always time to play by the water pic14	pic1 We moved to a Sante Fe river wayside park since Blue Springs was closed. pic1
pic2 A good place for fishing pic2	pic3 The mothers take a spin pic3	pic4 Dad gives some fishing tips pic4	pic5 Not a nibble pic5
pic6 Ready to dive in and catch fish by hand pic6	pic7 Those fish are fast! pic7	pic15 A picnic lunch makes a welcome break pic15

Everyone said they had a wonderful time and were already talking about what to do next.

We discussed the interesting nature of the Santa Fe River, which abruptly "ends" in O'Leno State Park, (actually it goes underground at the river sink). It then re-emerges about 3 miles away at the River Rise Preserve State Park.

The sink can be easily reached a short walk from the parking lot at O'Leno. The sink is a longer hike, or bike, and can also be reached by paddling upstream from US-41 near High Springs.

Kayaking On The Santa Fe River