OSFR Valentine’s Day Paddle a Huge Success

Here are paddle master Sandy Hubbard’s brief notes on the fantastic paddle on Sunday. We are fortunate that we have some beautiful photos from Jane Blaise, Pam Smith and Toni MacIntosh.

ichjane B In: OSFR Valentine's Day Paddle a Huge Success | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River in North Florida — Thanks to Jane Blaise for this outstanding shot of the Ichetucknee headsprings.

Sunday’s paddle was exceptionally well attended! This is what happens when you combine an absolutely beautiful day with crystal clear water and manatee sightings.

toni paddle 3 In: OSFR Valentine's Day Paddle a Huge Success | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River in North Florida — Happy OSFR members MaryAnn Smith and President Pam Smith – sisters in heart if not in blood. Thanks to Pam for founding the ever-popular Paddle Club, so efficiently and fortuitously run by Events Director Sandy Hubbard.

toni paddle 5 In: OSFR Valentine's Day Paddle a Huge Success | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River in North Florida — Heading down the Ichetucknee

toni paddle 4 In: OSFR Valentine's Day Paddle a Huge Success | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River in North Florida — Toni discovered and photographed Dolly and Kenny’s immortal ‘Island in the Stream.” Somehow I always thought it would be bigger. I guess they just sat close together because they say “No one in between.”

We put in at Ichetucknee Spring. Between there and the south entrance where we had lunch, we saw our beloved manatees. Many had young. There were none at the confluence with the Santa Fe, where I expected most. Perhaps the ones with young sought permanent winter refuge upstream while others didn’t hang around in such warm weather? Lars Anderson would know : )

Pam3 In: OSFR Valentine's Day Paddle a Huge Success | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River in North Florida — Pam took this shot of two very large creatures.

I will admit that the stretch of open water Santa Fe to SR129 was no fun. There was a strong west wind in the face, power boats and jet skis. We paddled hard! But that is the price we gladly paid for the first half of the day!

toni paddle 2 In: OSFR Valentine's Day Paddle a Huge Success | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River in North Florida

toni paddle1 In: OSFR Valentine's Day Paddle a Huge Success | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River in North Florida — This is what they look like underwater, thanks to Toni.

Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-

2 Comments

Michael Roth says:

February 17, 2017 at 9:11 am

Very enjoyable paddle and day. Met lots of great people and saw a beautiful slice of nature. Oh, yeah, and then there was the wind on the Santa Fe . . . (But that’s part of the charm of kayaking, right?)
Mindy Underberger says:

February 17, 2017 at 5:11 am

It was a wonderful day on the river. Thanks to Sandy and Pam and everyone who helped organize it. The manatee sitings were magical and the weather was perfect. Nothing strengths our commitment to our river more than being out on it. Looking forward to next time.