Saturday was the 3th day of our camping/kayaking weekend, the first weekend of 2009.  This was our 3rd perfect day for weather.  You couldn't have asked for better. The majority joined us for a day paddle.  The rest of us camping at Fort Cooper State Park , drove about 20 miles to Dunnellon City Boat Ramp off US 41 to launching into the Withlacoochee River.  There were 10 of us.  And unlike a summer weekend, we had the river to ourselves, clear, deep water.  Rainbow River is a tributary of the Withlacoochee River ( south).  We reached K.P. County Park at noon and stopped for lunch.  There we had one person join us as planned.  We Continued paddling upstream a mile to the Rainbow River State Park where the springhead is located.  We spent 45 minutes at the park, having ice cream and checking out the waterfalls.  We saw quite a few kayaker in the stretch between KP Hole and the State park, but again we had the rest of the river to ourselves.  Quite unusual if you go summer time.  We saw a beautiful eagle on a cypress knee, many birds, and no alligator.  Total trip was about 14 miles.

There were 3 Wilderness Trekker members and 5 visitors. Laurel W., Bob L., and Clark Getz; along with Eileen P., Brian, Anne, Louise and Mark from Liverpool England, with Louise being 19 and Mark 15. It is nice to see visitors to Florida dive into the "Real Florida". Eileen rented a kayak at Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak. That outfitter was very pleasant; worthy of return business.

K. P. Hole County Park is about 1.1 miles down river from the springhead and the State Park; which is were we headed first. When we got to the springhead, the group paddled about over the vent, which gave off the brightest of blue hues. Most of us departed there at the park, paying the 1-dollar entry free, to take several plunges into the cold and pristine waters of the not too crowded pool area. At first Mark and Louise were concerned that the water would be uncomfortably cold, but once in; they reminded us that 72 degrees is considerably warmer than the waters at the beaches of England and Wales.

Upon returning, Laurel got in some good and swift snorkeling.  She lashed her kayak to herself and snorkeled for quite a distance.  It took 2 and a half hours to go up and back to the county park, as there was considerable time swimming at the springhead, plus we had plenty of conversation.
We stopped at K.P. Hole for lunch and as it was approaching 1 PM, we needed to decide to either continue and paddle considerably faster or end the trip after a dip in the water in front of the park.  The reason being was that the thunderclouds were already forming.  We agreed to continue on with a more passionate pace.  Within seven minutes of getting back on the river, thunder could be heard in the distance. 
We did the last 4 miles to the 484 bridge in about 70 minutes.  We did get to enjoy the river, but were entertained as well as none of us had ever seen so many variations of vinyl floatation contraptions as what was floating down the river on this Saturday.  I don’t think that is why they called it the Rainbow River, but it works for that day.

Bob and Clark lead the family and Eileen back to the outfitters, which was about 1 mile down river past the 484 takeout.   We needed to make sure that they knew where to go as I did not want to have them take a left on the Withlacoochee and spend hours going the wrong way.

Epilogue – I was expecting a larger public crowd on the river.  Maybe everyone is saving up their trip to the Rainbow River for the 4th of July, next weekend.  Marion County has made numerous improvements to the canoe and kayak launch facilities since 2 years ago and the staff was very friendly.  No one checked our gear for contraband bottles or packaging, like before.  The river was patrolled well by the Marion County Sheriff’s Dept.   The Rainbow River appears to still be pristine and exceptionally clear and the Eelgrass is healthy indicating pollution levels are considerably less than many of the other springs have become

It was a beautiful day with 11 people in 10 boats on a somewhat crowded river. We first traveled up to the spring head in Rainbow River State Park from KP Hole County Park. We all got out and explored the park and ate an early lunch. Going back downstream at a leisurely pace, some stopped to take a dip or watch a young lady stuck in a tree. We were at the take-out at the City Hall just about 3:00 p.m. We encountered what appeared to be a fishing contest with lots of boat trailers and fishermen hanging around. Luckily our little boats could sneak in and get loaded without too much difficulty. Wildlife sightings included birds, turtles, a cow (in the water) and tubers!

Host: Sue Chisefsky