Why I don't like Florida

[snapper]

While I don't think I'd like to live in Florida (still love upstate NY winters), I have enjoyed all my paddling adventures there. As for gators, after the initial shock of seeing them so close to your canoe (or actually swimming by and then under your boat), you realize they're not that big a deal. Learn their behaviors and don't go paddling after dark.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.

snapper

 

[JackL]

I don't think GP has ever paddled a first magnitude spring run.
I don't think GP has ever paddled to a remote off shore Key that has a sandy shore to pull up on and breakers to surf.
I don't think GP has ever paddled the wilderness waterway and been the master of his own fate
I don't think GG has ever paddled through a mile long mangrove tunnel where you can't see through the overhanging canopy for the entire mile.
I don't think GP has ever paddled the hidden black water treasures of the Big Bend area
I don't think GP has ever pulled up on some of the the sugar white sand beaches that dot the north west shore line

I have paddled in just about every state including all over Alaska, and from my take Florida has more good paddling ops than any of the others

Take a look at our Google Web site GP and you might change your mind;
https://sites.google.com/site/flkeyskayaktrips/

 

[yellowcanoe]

JACK L shhh! Thanks to you we enjoyed a lovely 11 mile round trip paddle to Seahorse Key.

 

[Grandpa Paddler]

Jack,
With the exception of paddling wilderness and being the master of my own fate, you are correct. My son, on the other hand, has paddled some of what you mention. He wasn't overly impressed. Like his father, he prefers Canada and the NE US.
I checked your web site , and as with all the other photos posted on this thread, have seen very little that even comes close to making me rethink my stand.

As to the rest of you who have been dissing me and my stand on Florida, get off my back! You like paddling there, do it, with my blessing and well wishes. I'm glad you found someplace you think is special.

I'm done with this thread.

 

[Odyssey]

YC, the only thing that comes close to that white sand right here right now isn't nearly as inviting. Not without a snowmobile suit. lol. Nice photo.

Take it easy Grandpa and relax. There's lots of room to roam for good canoeing. We don't have to all dip our paddles in the same place.
I'll likely never make it south. Would be nice, but that's okay. Standing out on my backporch there's a bright big moon smiling down on me. Huddled in a jackshirt and big boots, and still in my long johns, it's a beautiful sight. (The moon, not me. lol) As green as the grass can be on t'other side of the fence, sometimes it's fine and fancy green right here. So to speak. lol.
Peace Grandpa.

 

[southcove]

After the notorious winter weather that parts of PA and western NY (close to 7' of new lake effect snow!) have been 'enjoying' the past week or so, it might be time for Grandpa Paddler to weigh in and maybe give his second choice of places he would rather frequent (maybe only in a true winter?) or avoid. I certainly have choices on both...let me see, "...

 

[yellowcanoe]

The OP posts a negative thread.. and is upset with pushback? I think if you post something negative about anything be it a piece of equipment or an outdoor store you are bound to have others express differing opinions..

Me I like exploring any venue that might be paddleable.. But Belize is out of the budget this year. Its very nice and full of two kinds of canoes.. Wenonah Jensen canoes and dugouts.

 

[Guest]

There are a bunch of different, distinct regions in Florida, and the flora and fauna. Even the humans vary quite a bit.

The heavily populated metro sprawl Atlantic Coast in not my cuppa tea. There is though is still a lot of interesting paddling a few miles inland. We got skunked 30 minutes countdown away from shuttle launch, intending to watch it from afloat in the Ula May Wildlife Refuge, pulled out the Florida Atlas and Gazetteer and looked for inland lakes, rivers and boat ramps north of Cape Canaveral.

Check out map pages 80 and 81.We ended up paddling the St Johns in the eponymous Wildlife Refuge, and later some obscure little creek at a second stop. Probably the best birding day of my life.

The Gulf Coast in not as heavily populated, especially up in the crook and along the panhandle. The folks there seem to be different Floridans, a little less Metro and little more redneck, which suits me fine.

The Everglades and Keys hold their own special paddling places, with special challenges.

With all that I remain fondest of North Central Florida, from Ocala Nation Forest north to the Georgia line. Still somewhat small town rural, the Nature Coast as it is billed. Santa Fe, Suwannee, free canoe camping on sugar sand beaches along the river, lots of spring runs. And less than 2 hours drive to either the Atlantic or Gulf coasts. Snowbird Paddler Heaven.

If I have one gripe with Florida it is the expense of car camping. Not even the typical RV thing in Walmart parking lots is allowed. There is an Indian casino that allows that kind of overnight stay, and some free or cheap stuff in Ocala Nation Forest that may harbor sketchy neighbors.

State Park campgrounds are often reserved and fully booked in the winter, and tend toward WTF pricey. As in I can get a Motel 6 with wifi and porn for that cost out west. Florida is not a place to try rambling footloose, unplanned and unreserved, and I dislike being forced into an already paid schedule.

That is understandable, given that snowbird vacationer spending drives part of the State economy. And, honestly, how much free or even cheap car camping is available anywhere along the east coast?

I remember footloose roaming Florida back in the late 70s and early 80s, kinda on the cheap and always finding a place to stay.

I also remember, back in the day. . . . .back when I walked uphill to school uphill both ways. . . . HEY YOU KIDS GET OFFA MY LAWN!. . . .back when Maryland State Park campsites were four bucks a night and there were fee primitive sites galore.

Those were the days, gas was 30 cents a gallon and a pack of smokes from a vending machine not much more.

 

[memaquay]

One of the things that made me stay on this site when I first came here was the range of American trip reports, and the awesome pictures that were posted. I had no idea that there was such a diverse geographic paddling community. For me, paddling has almost always been in the boreal. So thanks for stirring the pot GP, some beautiful pics resulted. For those of you who adore the north, here's a different perspective by a Canadian musician, Wendell Ferguson

Rocks & trees, trees & rocks
If you've driven 17 you've seen lots
Though I dearly love this land
I've stood all I can stand of
Rocks & trees, trees & rocks

Rocks & trees, trees & rocks
Reams and reams of endless trees and tons of rocks
The whole north is just proliferous
With metamorphic and coniferous
Rocks & trees, trees & rocks

Rocks & trees, trees & rocks
Motel signs, hydro lines and a flattened fox
Oh construction site machinery
Is a welcome change of scenery from
Rocks & trees, trees & rocks

Bert loves Pearl, John loves Jane
Must each boy and every girl inscribe their names
It's so quaint the way he told her
With spray paint upon a boulder
Bert loves John?

Trees & rocks, rocks & trees
A guy can quickly get real sick of seein' these
What's the deal with all the tourists
It's just shield here and some forests and
Trees & rocks, rocks & trees

Rocks & trees, trees & rocks
A double line and I'm stuck behind a dozen trucks
By the time you hit Kenora
You don't want to see no more-a
Rocks & trees, trees & rocks

Here's a break, it's a little lake
Cause I've seen all the you-know-whats
that I can take
As I gaze down to the bottom
I can see it's filled with rotten
Rotten trees and rotten rocks for Gods' sake

Miles & miles & miles & miles & miles of trees
Piles & piles & piles & piles & piles of rocks
When God made this northern land He
Must've ordered way too many
Rocks & trees, trees & rocks
Rocks & trees, trees & rocks
Rocks & trees, trees & rocks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NBaPC_R0OA

 

[Mason]

Memaquay, I like your approach. I'm mostly a mountain paddler (Wyoming, Alaska, BC), but grew up in the South (S.C). This past fall I paddled Quetico for the first time. Although the place is a paddler's paradise, I missed the mountains. And the swamps of the Southeast have great appeal--Everglades/Suwannee and those environs are on my hit list. But before I can get there, I have a trip planned in northern Canada. It's all good (maybe not every single minute!).

 

[PaddlingPitt]

There's no explaining personal preference. For example, from 2003 to 2008, Kathleen and I lived on Pender Island, about halfway between Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. One acre right on the ocean. Virtually never any real snow. Year-round ocean paddling to coffee shops and pubs. But in 2008 we packed up and moved to east-central Saskatchewan because we wanted snow, sun, cold and a truly rural lifestyle. Even people here look at us like we're crazy. No one moves from Victoria/Vancouver to east-central Saskatchewan. People only go in the other direction. This was so newsworthy that Kathleen and I were interviewed by CBC, and made the front page of the Regina Leader Post on the weekend that the Riders clinched their Grey Cup appearance. In the coffee shop we're the only people not complaining about winter. We actually enjoy the cold. We love laying down our bush trails. We thrill to the aspen trees sparkling with hoar frost.

Do I expect Floridians to move north to join us? Not likely. Heck. Even our own family has said they will never come to visit in winter. A few nights ago we had an overnight low of -12 degrees C (10 degrees F). I have 15 cords of wood in the shed. The wall tent is up. The good times are on the way!

 

[lowangle al]

Michael, all that can't be for your tent, do you also heat the house with it? Where is your tent set up and what is it's purpose and how long do you leave it unattended as far as snow is concerned?

I keep a baker tent set up in my yard from May thru October just because we like to hang out in it, listening to the radio, having a cocktail and doing a little cooking. We keep our thermostat set low in the house and the tent is the only place we can be really warm, even on a cool cloudy summer day.

 

[PaddlingPitt]

You are right Al. We burn only about 6 cords a year. I have a three-year rotation going for the wood. We do use wood for our house, but it is only a fire place insert, not a wood stove. Because of the open plan, the house does not really get toasty warm too far away from the fireplace. We burn wood mostly for the cosmetics, the smell of wood smoke, and the comfort of wood heat.

As I mentioned, we moved to Saskatchewan for a more rural lifestyle. We have 565 acres, mostly still in bush. For most winters, I had my tent set up about a quarter of a mile away, to provide the feeling of bush camping. The tent is 10 x 12. The wood stove is somewhat small, and needed restocking about every 2.5 hours. At my age (71), this was getting tiresome. So this year I set it up right near the house. Kathleen now joins me in the afternoon for wine and snacks. As you suggested, very warm and toasty. Like a sauna! We will be using it much more often than before, when we set it up mostly for sleeping overnight. No sleeping cot now, which leaves more room for chairs for us, and like-minded guests.

I have a snow brush, which easily clears the tarp of snow. We had a little bit of snow overnight, but the afternoon sun melted everything away. Am looking forward to colder weather.

 

[Grandpa Paddler]

I don't consider 71 old, I'll be there next week. My son, 49 this week, and I do some winter camping at his wife's family farm. He uses an Army surplus two part pup tent and I use a drafty old wood shed that used to be used for a hunter warming shack up on the hill about 1/2 mile. My 3-season tent would be less drafty but with degenerative spinal arthritis, I am a little leery of sleeping on the ground any more, I suppose I should invest in either a good under quilt or a canvas tent and stove When the boys were in Scouts, we did a fair amount of winter camping using large surplus (Alaskans?) tents. 3 or 4 bales of straw and 8 guys, didn't even need the wood stove.