Hey Croc,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you.
Paddling down here in winter is ok in areas. It's our dry season then, and the places I go, are usually pretty low. The weather is good though. I paddle a lot in a place called Fish Eatin' Creek. It's usually very quiet. It a beautiful spot in the Everglades. A lot of gators to be seen and wild birds and flowers etc. The people are mostly locals with a lot of respect for the Creek. We had a big legal battle down here because a very large company (through whose land part of the creek runs) tried to stop anyone from using/accessing it. The State of Florida ruled in our favor and prevented Lykes Brothers from "owning" the rights to it. It was very heartwarming to see so much effort by devoted locals rewarded by big government.
Summer time here is brutal. Temps are 96 plus, and mosquitoes as big as half dollars. Bug spray helps, and the creek runs under a lot of trees, but still, spring/late winter is best. I usually camp for a week or so and paddle/fish from my camp..returning at day's end. I wanted to leave tomorrow to paddle the Peace River, but business matters have once again prevented me from going..at least for a couple of weeks. It's risky this time of year anyway. Thunderstorms nearly every day, and the lightning sorta scares me when I'm camped under the trees. Also the Peace has a history of cresting and causing floods which can be pretty scary. Although the rains come nearly everyday during this time of year, they usually only last for an hour or so, but on occation (usually without warning,) they can continue for much longer, and can be viciously heavy...dumping 3-6" in a short time. This is not only scarey, but can be really dangerous. There are lots of places to go. Many are very public w/ big boats and lots of people,(I avoid these like the plague)
but there are millions of other places (due to aour flood control canals etc.)that big boats don't fit into that I love. Just lots of wilflife and plants, and a bass or two if I'm lucky. Didn't mean to write a book...
Lindsay |
