Sierra Club Outings | Manatees and Mermaids, Florida

Manatees and Mermaids, Florida
November 15-21, 2009

Highlights:

Snorkel with manatee
Kayak several �outstanding� Florida waterways
Take a moonlight cruise through the swamp
Enjoy dinner at a famous fish camp on the Withlacoochee River

Includes:

Kayak rental and all gear
All admissions to manatee snorkel, state wildlife parks, and tubing
Moonlight river- boat cruise
All meals except one dinner; all ground transportation

Enjoy �The Land of Flowers� and spend a relaxing week of sunny days floating down spring fed rivers that lazily wind their way to the sea. Each day our group will travel via passenger van to a different and unique area. We will mostly kayak, but there will be opportunities to hike, swim, snorkel and tube in these areas. There will be plenty of opportunity to go birding, sight see, observe wildlife, and sit back and reflect. Beginners are encouraged to sign up. People wanting to develop their skills in kayaking will have time for one on one instruction every evening with an ACA certified kayak instructor.

Day 1: All participants will be picked up at 1 p.m. at the Orlando International Airport. We will stop for lunch in route. (this meal is not included in the trip price). Our private van will then take us to our river lodge near Dunellon Florida. After settling in the guides will go over the weeks schedule. Dinner and cocktails will soon follow.

Day 2: Today finds us paddling the Withlacoochee River. This river flows out of the Green Swamp in west central Florida. The river twists and bends through the sandhill area as it moves northwest. Hardwood forests with an under story of cabbage palm and saw palmetto border the river. Further downstream the hills disappear as you paddle through lush swampland with cypress, gum and maple adorned with air plants. The overhanging limbs form a lacy canopy. Much of the river flows through the Withlacoochee State Forest, but there are scattered residential areas along the river. The variety of habitats offers opportunities for nature study. Wildlife is abundant along the river. Deer, turkey, otter and alligator are common. Wood duck, wood stork, white ibis and anhinga can also be seen.

Day 3: We start the day early to catch an early morning boat ride to Crystal River and the year round manatee that make this area their home. Make sure you bring your underwater cameras because we will jump over board and actually snorkel with these gentle giants.

We return to the lodge for lunch then make our way to the head springs of the Rainbow River. This is a Florida classic lazy river, perfect for an afternoon of tubing and snorkeling. The crystal clear water allows us the opportunity to view otter, turtles, and alligators.

Day 4: Our travels will find us in the Ocala National Forest. Putting in on the Silver River we will paddle to the source, the Silver Springs. A paddle trip on the Silver River in the Ocala National Forest features some of Florida's most beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife.

The headwaters start at Silver Springs, the world's largest natural artesian spring, which produces nearly 550 million gallons of water each day. Because of the substantial flow, the paddle upstream can be strenuous but well worth the effort. Seven miles downriver, the crystal clear Silver meets the tea-colored Oklawaha River.

Spending the day on Silver River will reveal why the Silver Springs attraction bills itself as "Nature's Theme Park". Beside the subtropical landscape, the river is famous for its abundant wildlife. Anhingas, ducks, egrets, herons, ibis', hawks, limpkins and kingfishers are some of the many birds that inhabit the area. The fish species is well represented by bluegill, sunfish, bass and prehistoric-looking Longnose Gar. Turtles and alligators can easily be spotted sunning themselves while lizards and snakes present more of a challenge. Several troops of Rhesus monkeys live wild along the length of the river.

Day 5: A very unique experience awaits us today. We will start with a visit to the large springs in Chaskawitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Then we will paddle towards the coast passing freshwater springs, thick hardwood hammocks, bayou, salt mud flats, then coastal plains.

This refuge provides habitat for approximately 250 species of birds, over 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, and at least 25 different species of mammals. Endangered and threatened species on the refuge include manatees, sea turtles, and bald eagles. The refuge consists of coastal saltmarsh, shallow bays, tidal streams, and rivers, mangrove islands, and coastal maritime hammock.

Tonight we will take a night cruise onboard a private pontoon boat down the Rainbow River or Withlacoochee River. With the bright moonlight guiding us we will seek out the nocturnal wildlife thick in the swamps, creeks, and sloughs we pass. Our group will dine at a local fish camp, riverside. This will be a great time to experience some of Florida�s finest fare. Alligator steaks, conch fritters, frog legs, fried catfish on cheese grits, crawfish, and shrimp creole just to get you started!

Day 6: Another exciting day! We will visit the Homosassa River and the Homosassa State Wildlife Park. The park has an underwater viewing room, where you can watch schools of saltwater and freshwater fish circling the manatees, plus a bird area, reptile lectures, and a large pen full of large alligators.

In the evening we will have time for more fun at Rainbow Springs or folks can rent bikes and peddle the Withlacoochee state trail that follows the Withlacoochee River.

Day 7: After a big breakfast and may be a morning hike, everyone will have time to pack up before heading back to Orlando and the airport. We should arrive at the airport by 3 p.m.

In addition to the above mentioned locations If time allows our group will also try to visit some of these incredible wild areas:

The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well being of the group.

We will be staying at The Rainbow River Club and Lodge. This is a private lodge that we were invited to stay at. Everyone will be staying in two bedroom cabins. One bedroom has a queen size bed the other bedroom has two doubles. Each cabin has a full kitchen, bathroom, and living room. The rooms are clean, there is hot water, and the showers work great. Couples will of course get the rooms with a queen size bed individual participants will be sharing the rooms with doubles.

Commissary duties will be shared. The guides will prepare every meal and serve it to you. Everyone is expected to help eat these large southern meals each day. Participants will be expected to help with clean up. Meals included in the trip fee begin with dinner on Sunday and end with breakfast on Saturday.

Kayaking is physically challenging and participants should be in good shape to enjoy such a trip. In coastal Florida, storms of huge magnitude can appear quickly. Alternative activities are planned in case of extreme weather. Most days we will spend 5-6 hours on the water.

Bring quality rain gear, a water bottle, insect repellent, a daypack, snorkeling gear and personal first-aid kit. We will probably encounter a variety of weather conditions; sun protection is critical. Expect warm days and cooler nights, with possible daily intermittent rain and wind. You will need a 220-stitch long sleeve cotton shirt, a sweater, sandals, waterproof windbreaker, shorts, swimsuit and support walking shoes. Cotton or cotton blend is more comfortable than polyester in the tropical weather. Please also bring a wine glass and your favorite beverage to share.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Greg Pflug has dedicated his life to the pursuit of an endless outdoor adventure and preventing the destruction of the wild lands remaining in the southeast. A certified kayak instructor and outdoor specialist through professional training, Greg takes all the worry out of the activity so participants can enjoy the experience. Greg has been leading outings for Sierra Club since 1999.