TRIP REPORT:
It was a wonderful day....or rather weekend. The Beardsley's were the only members to go on this trip, and boy did you all miss a good one. We modified the trip as no one else signed up and camped out Friday and Saturday nights, paddling on Saturday morning and evening. Following the morning paddle we grilled hot dogs for lunch and rested in the July heat. We then headed back out into the marsh at 6 pm when it was much cooler. We paddled around the Pellicer Creek Preserve and enjoyed the views, the splashing of jumping fish and shrimp and a glimpse of a lone alligator. We even stumbled across a heard of deer lead by a buck. It was a fun, but hot weekend. As you can see from the photos, this is a very private place with few other people around. We essentially had the place to ourselves.
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Date: Saturday, July 21, 2007
Time: Meet at 9 am
Length: 5-6 hours on the water
Difficulty: Moderate/Intermediate
Location: Princess Place Preserve, Flagler County
Leader: Lisa and Shannon Beardsley
Gear: Be sure to bring plenty of fluids, sun screen, bug spray and don't forget a hat and lunch. Also have your Coast Guard regulated PFD and whistle!
Costs: Free. There are no fees for launching kayaks at this time.
TRIP INFORMATION:
The park itself is a little confusing to navigate, so we will meet at the large fruit stand on US 1 just north of the I-95 overpass at 9:00 am. If you come via I-95 it is the fruit stand off of exit 298. We will then follow one another to the launch site at Dock #2 (D2 campsite on the Map) inside Princess Place Preserve. We will unload our boats at Dock #2 and be ready to paddle by 10 am, we will then paddle out into the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve taking a lunch break mid day. We will return to the launch site around 3 to 4 pm so we can be out of the park by closing at 6 pm. You may access a map of the park at the following website: http://www.flaglerparks.com/
July is the height of alligator nesting season and this location is in alligator country, so some diligence will need to be practiced during this trip. Hopefully, we will be lucky to see a few nesting sights and some alligators. A note on alligator behavior: a nesting female will defend her nest with hisses and aggressive posturing. Simply backing away will allow her to relax. An aggressive attack is rare unless the "predator" (ie: you), continues to invade the nesting area.
Rental kayaks are available onsite from Tropical Kayaks. They have one tandem, one sit on top and two sit inside kayaks available. Prices are as follows-Tandem = $50 for all day and $60 for 24 hours.Singles = $35 for all day and $40 for 24 hours.Arrangements need to be made in advance by calling - 386-445-0506
Rental kayaks are also available from Aqua East (see the blog post). You will have to transport the kayak to the park.
SITE FACTS/INFORMATION:
Princes Place Preserve is one of the Flagler County Parks. It is encompassed by the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve which covers approximately 505 acres, and is adjacent to the Matanzas River. Wild, serene and beautiful, the Princess Place is the crown jewel in Flagler County’s setting of parks. Home to nesting bald eagles and situated on a knoll overlooking the confluence of Pellicer Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway, the estate was once home to a Russian Prince. It was built as a hunting lodge in 1886 by Henry Cutting and is the oldest standing structure in the county. After his death, Cutting’s wife Angela, married Boris Sherbatof a Prince in the Russian royal family and she became known as the Princess. This area is considered one of the most pristine estuarine/riverine systems along Florida's east coast and should prove to be an excellent trip.
LOCATION:
2500 Princess Place Road.
Approximately 16 miles south of St. Augustine.
DIRECTIONS:
Princess Place Preserve is about 64 miles from Queen's Harbour. It will take about an hour and a half to get to the preserve and about an hour and twenty minutes to get to the fruit stand on US 1.
From I-95.
Take I-95 South to Exit 298 (Old Exit 92). Take US 1 north to meet at the fruit stand, just off of the highway.
If you miss the group at the fruit stand:
Take US 1 south into Flagler County to Old Kings Road (approximately 1.5 miles south of the I-95 overpass). Old Kings Road is on the left, it is an unpaved grade road and is well marked. Turn left onto Old Kings Road. Take Old Kings Road to Princess Place Road (approximately 1.5 miles). Turn left on to Princess Place Road. Continue straight until you see a small wooden bridge. The road to the dock launch site is to the left, just before the bridge. Follow the road to the end, arriving at Dock #2.
From A1A.
Take A1A South through Ponte Vedra Beach. At the intersection of A1A and US 1 in St. Augustine, head south on US 1. (stop at the Fruit Stand on the left hand side of US 1 just north of the I-95 overpass to meet the group.
If you miss the group at the fruit stand:
Continue on US 1 south into Flagler County to Old Kings Road (approximately 1.5 miles south of the I-95 overpass). Old Kings Road is on the left, it is an unpaved grade road and is well marked. Turn left onto Old Kings Road. Take Old Kings Road to Princess Place Road (approximately 1.5 miles). Turn left on to Princess Place Road. Continue straight until you see a small wooden bridge. The road to the dock launch site is to the left, just before the bridge. Follow the road to the end, arriving at Dock #2.
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See you on the water!
