This weekend we chose the Ochlockonee River

The Ochlockonee comes down from Georgia. It's not one of the spring fed rivers, and consequently the water is warmer and the current is slow. Most of the shore line is sandy beaches. We saw alligators, turtles, birds, a deer and fish jumping. We don't bother them and they don't bother us.
Great Blue Heron

Lunch time. Where are the picnic tables?
You won't find many traces of people here.
For about 4 miles of paddling upstream we only saw one little boat with a fisherman.

Anhinga

This is one big, ugly bird drying its wings in the sun after diving in for a fish

How low can you go.

Terry tackles the obstacles. The rest of us go around.

10 Miles Down the Chipola River

Jay Keiser, one of the people Marilyn works with

at First American Title Insurance Co, invited us to Kayak down the Chipola River

in the western Florida panhandle with him and his wife, Carol.

The river is fairly shallow at the put-in with logs

and other obstacles to test your kayaking skill.
Terry's stuck, but it didn't take him long to push off.

A few miles down river we pulled over on the grassy bank to take a break.

An Ibis took refuge in a tree as we floated by.

Marilyn pulled over for this photo op

to show the limestone formations along the bank.

Terry wanted to get out and explore the cave

that goes back into the limestone about 30 yards.

Jay and Carol guided us back to one of the springs that feeds the river.

The spring water is so clear you can see the little fish.

Terry decided to jump in. He didn't stay long.

It's cold water coming up from about 40 feet deep!

Marilyn waded in where it's shallow.

The spring water flows out behind her to feed the river.

Almost to the take out point.

Great float down a beautiful, peaceful river.

Jay took this photo to share. Thanks.