January 16-19 , 2009 [ Back ]

Jan 16 - 19, 2009 O'Leno/ Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Weekend

Forecast of 20 degrees did not deter paddlers for the weekend. It turned out that Fri & Sat night-time lows were in the high 20's to about 32 degrees. Most had small electric heaters for their tents or vans and were quite comfortable. 5 Trekkers joined 11 paddlers from two other clubs to meet at 10 am to paddle the Ichetucknee on Saturday while temps in the 40s to around 50... but it was a beautiful sunny day. We paddled upstream in this clear spring fed river against a moderately strong current from the South Entrance, about 3 1/2 miles to the dock at the North Entrance and picnicked in the park, then paddled back down against a light headwind. Some folks spotted otters, otherwise we saw some birds, turtles, and lots of fish in places. When the paddle was done, one paddler went on to explore the lower Ich to where it flows into the Santa Fe, finding that it's difficult coming back upstream through the culvert.

Sunday we paddled the Santa Fe, launching from Rte 27 boat ramp at around 10:30 and again enjoyed a beautiful sunny day, a little warmer than the day before. The river was quite low and pretty clear - we could see small springs churning the river surface in some places and the occasional shoals were no problem. When we ate lunch at Lily Springs, there was a large group of canoeists camping there. Naked Ed autographed a bottle of Naked Ed Pale Ale that one of our paddlers had bought at the Great Outdoors restaurant.

Floyd's was closed (hopefully temporarily) so this weekend people ate out at the Wok, Alice's Restaurant, and the Great Outdoors. We had great campfire each night, with hot cider and snacks passed around.

Some of our party had to go home after Sunday's paddle. Brief light showers started around suppertime, and it began raining steadily around 8:30. Overnight the skies cleared again so the remaining 2 WT (and 2 others) hiked about 5 miles in O'Leno State Park. We walked over the suspension bridge and took the River Trail, walked by River Sink, and hiked the Paraner Trail where duckweed-covered sink/ponds dot the landscape every so often, marking the path of the Santa Fe River as it flows underground in that area.

Trekkers who participated this weekend included host Erica, Clark, Mike, Laurel and Jim.

January 14-16 , 2008 [ Back ]

OLeno/Santa Fe/Ichetucknee -

For this holiday weekend, the weatherman was threatening deluge and cold - so several people decided not to attend. But 4 intrepid Trekkers (Laurel Williams, Sue Chisefsky, Sam Hargis and Sandra Thomas) joined Erica and a few people from another club for the weekend outing, based at O'Leno State Park. Turned out not too bad after all. Most people arrived Friday to set up. Sat we postponed the Ichetucknee paddle and instead hiked in the state park while waiting for the rain which didn't arrive until mid afternoon. We all went to eat dinner at Floyd's Diner...No campfire that night due to the rain. Temperature was in the low 30's Sunday am but warmed up a bit by late morning as we paddled the Santa Fe past the various springs. The water was a bit low but no problem. (Erica wasn't able to paddle this weekend due to a wrist problem, but otherwise greeted, coordinated and shuttled.) Camaraderie and laughter at the campfire that evening,and some hot cider. Monday morning it was a bit warmer than Sunday. We paddled the Ichetucknee from the south entrance up to the top, walked around the park and paddled back. Only a few other paddlers on the river that day, probably due to the cool weather. After the paddle, we dispersed, some going back to the park to break camp.

Host: Erica Johnson