FLORIDA DESTINATIONS
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 5:12 pm
I'll start this off with
THE SILVER RIVER
SILVER SPRINGS, FL.
This is a seven mile stretch from the put-in to the spring head at Silver Springs. The Ray Wayside park is located three miles east of Silver Springs, on the west side of the Ocklawaha bridge. There are two ramps, both are concrete and well maintained, though rather steep. There is a protected basin, with a tie up dock between the ramps for loading and offloading. There is plenty of space for prepping the boat, as well as lots of trailer parking. The fee if five dollars per vehicle, honor system.
Once on the water, you will proceed down the canal to the main river. Turn right (upstream) to begin your cruise. The current runs swift through much of the river, as the spring at the headwaters pumps some 522 million gallons per day downstream. You will be proceeding at idle speed (it's the law) so there will be much to see and plenty of time to see it all.
There are numerous logs that can be seen passing under your toons, the clear waters make them seem much closer to the surface than most of them are. We have only bumped our prop once, and there was no damage and we have never been able to reproduce that incident again, even though we know where it occurred.
One thing you will notice right away is that there are no homes, no development at all, making the cruise feel like a trip back in time. You are seeing Florida much like the first visitors to our state viewed it; natural, untouched and pure. Watch the water; you will see gar, bluegill and crappy abound.
Somewhere around the halfway point upstream, you will find a small area off to the right of the river where there is a bump-out at the bank just the perfect size for a pontoon full of hungry folks to pull in and have lunch. Alternately, you can parallel up to the bank and tie off to a tree.
Wildlife is the name of the sightseeing game here; gators, birds, fish and yes, Monkeys can be seen on this cruise. Rhesus monkeys were places on the small island near the beginning of Silver Springs land in the 30's by Colonel Tooey, on of the jungle cruise operators, who didn't realize Rhesus monkeys can and will swim.... the rest is local history. Today the bands of monkeys can be found on the north and south sides of the river, but I have found the south side bands to hang out at the banks more often. Don't get too close, they can jump pretty far as well as drop out of trees, and if they get in your boat, they can inflict some nasty bites. Viewed from the safety of the middle of the river, they will be a delight if you see them.
At the spring, you will be in the territory of Silver Springs Nature Park, be aware that their glass bottom boats have the right of way, since they are trying to operate a business here. If we local boaters start going up against them in water-turf wars, they will work to restrict us from entering the spring area. Be considerate please, and don't impede them.
There are three docks that you will see along the river on your trip. Two are part of the Silver River State Park: one is for their canoe rentals launching and the other is a viewing dock for one of the nature walks. There is one private dock with an old pontoon boat attached. One is not allowed to stop or tie up to any of these docks.
The entire trip will take about three to three and one half hours, lunch stop time not included.
Weekdays are always less busy on the river, and during the spring and fall, you may only see one other boat and a few kayak/canoes.
Truly this is a place made for the nature lover and it will not disappoint!
THE SILVER RIVER
SILVER SPRINGS, FL.
This is a seven mile stretch from the put-in to the spring head at Silver Springs. The Ray Wayside park is located three miles east of Silver Springs, on the west side of the Ocklawaha bridge. There are two ramps, both are concrete and well maintained, though rather steep. There is a protected basin, with a tie up dock between the ramps for loading and offloading. There is plenty of space for prepping the boat, as well as lots of trailer parking. The fee if five dollars per vehicle, honor system.
Once on the water, you will proceed down the canal to the main river. Turn right (upstream) to begin your cruise. The current runs swift through much of the river, as the spring at the headwaters pumps some 522 million gallons per day downstream. You will be proceeding at idle speed (it's the law) so there will be much to see and plenty of time to see it all.
There are numerous logs that can be seen passing under your toons, the clear waters make them seem much closer to the surface than most of them are. We have only bumped our prop once, and there was no damage and we have never been able to reproduce that incident again, even though we know where it occurred.
One thing you will notice right away is that there are no homes, no development at all, making the cruise feel like a trip back in time. You are seeing Florida much like the first visitors to our state viewed it; natural, untouched and pure. Watch the water; you will see gar, bluegill and crappy abound.
Somewhere around the halfway point upstream, you will find a small area off to the right of the river where there is a bump-out at the bank just the perfect size for a pontoon full of hungry folks to pull in and have lunch. Alternately, you can parallel up to the bank and tie off to a tree.
Wildlife is the name of the sightseeing game here; gators, birds, fish and yes, Monkeys can be seen on this cruise. Rhesus monkeys were places on the small island near the beginning of Silver Springs land in the 30's by Colonel Tooey, on of the jungle cruise operators, who didn't realize Rhesus monkeys can and will swim.... the rest is local history. Today the bands of monkeys can be found on the north and south sides of the river, but I have found the south side bands to hang out at the banks more often. Don't get too close, they can jump pretty far as well as drop out of trees, and if they get in your boat, they can inflict some nasty bites. Viewed from the safety of the middle of the river, they will be a delight if you see them.
At the spring, you will be in the territory of Silver Springs Nature Park, be aware that their glass bottom boats have the right of way, since they are trying to operate a business here. If we local boaters start going up against them in water-turf wars, they will work to restrict us from entering the spring area. Be considerate please, and don't impede them.
There are three docks that you will see along the river on your trip. Two are part of the Silver River State Park: one is for their canoe rentals launching and the other is a viewing dock for one of the nature walks. There is one private dock with an old pontoon boat attached. One is not allowed to stop or tie up to any of these docks.
The entire trip will take about three to three and one half hours, lunch stop time not included.
Weekdays are always less busy on the river, and during the spring and fall, you may only see one other boat and a few kayak/canoes.
Truly this is a place made for the nature lover and it will not disappoint!