Journey Details:
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Day Two — Sunday March 27, 2011
Madison Blue Springs State Park to Suwanee River State Park
The first morning of Paddle Florida
will have us departing Madison Blue
Springs State Park. You will notice the
distinctive aspects of the Withlacoochee
as it makes its way into Florida from
Georgia; a narrow riverbed and increasingly
steeper limestone bluffs. After paddling
a distance of 8 miles, we will stop
for lunch at Melvin Shoals. The
shoals here can be up to a Class II,
so we will portage those boats who wish
to avoid the whitewater. All lunch
stops will offer healthy "snack
food," various fruits and drinks
(all you can eat). Everyone should be
fortified for the rest of this short
12-mile day. We will be establishing
a stagger to avoid bottlenecks at rest
stops.
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In the afternoon, our
intrepid paddlers will arrive at the
Suwannee River State Park for overnight
camping. One of Florida’s most
visited parks, it sits at the confluence
of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers.
On the way, you will be treated
to springs visible at the bottom of the
limestone cliffs. About one mile
in, paddlers will experience Pott Springs
on river left; one of the prettiest spots
in the Suwannee River Valley, as well
as a wide variety of wildlife native
to the region.
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