**** TRIP REPORT ****
Two club members (Steve and Lisa) and two social members (Lisa's parents - Ron and Carole) participated in the day's events. Steve and Lisa enjoyed a lovely day paddling under the cloudless, blue sky, while Ron and Carole explored the park on foot, then drove to the take out site to meet the kayakers. Due to Duck Hunting Season we were not permitted to paddle in Lake Ponte Vedra and thus, there was a slight change of float plans. We drove 6 miles south to our newly determined launch site - the dam/boat launch at Guana River State Park. The new float plan led us south along the Tolomolto River to the Intracoastal and then onward to Cap's Restaurant, where we enjoyed lunch. Along the way we did not see much wildlife, but our efforts were rewarded when a pod of dolphins swam right to us! A female dolphin surfaced for air in between our kayaks! She was a mere 4 feet from each of us! What a way to end a paddle.
The Boat Ramp Launch Site at Guana River State Park
One of the Dolphins that swam past us.
Almost to Cap's Resturant.
A "Birds Eye" view.
The little beach at Cap's.
The end of a nice paddle.
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Date: Saturday, November 17, 2007
Time: 10 am
Location: 6 Mile Landing - West side of A1A just south of Ponte Vedra.
Difficulty: Moderate if there are winds, Easy if there is no wind.
Length:: 2-4 hours
Leader: Lisa Beardsley
Gear: Be sure to have your Coast Guard regulated PFD and whistle. Also bring plenty of fluids, lunch, sun screen, bug spray and a hat and for this trip, your binoculars.
TRIP INFORMATION:
We will meet at 9:45 at 6 Mile Landing and will launch at 10 am. Hopefully we will see tons of birds here. Last time I was here I could not see any grass through the birds. I even saw some endangered white pelicans! Hopefully, it was not just a lucky day. I am told this area has tons of alligators, but I saw none on my last trip (although, I cannot accurately say how many alligators saw me). Depending on water levels and wind direction, we will determine what we are going to do when we get there....
SITE FACTS/INFORMATION:
The Guana River begins north of the National Estuarine Research Preserve in Ponte Vedra Beach and flows south to join the Tolomato River. In 1957, an earthen dam was constructed across the Guana River creating the largest wetland area in the preserve. Called Lake Ponte Vedra, this wetland is approximately 2,400 acres, and provides both open water and marsh habitats. This shallow lagoonal lake extends 10 miles north from the dam.
DIRECTIONS:
Six Mile Landing is located off of A1A on the west side of the road, just south of Mickler Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach. There is a small sign for a boat ramp launch site.
Please click on "comment" below and leave a message if you are interested in participating.
See you on the water!
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