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Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State
By Sandy Huff
Whether you're a first-time paddler or a whitewater veteran, whether you're looking for an easy going two-hour tour with your family or a week-long solo adventure, this book lists the most delightful destinations to explore in a state famous for its scenic waterways.
Read a complete excerpt from chapter one, including the Tips for Paddling Florida and Getting Started sections. Then check out our two full sample destination excerpts -- the Suwannee River in Northeast Florida and Merritt Island in Central Florida. You may also peruse the Table of Contents to see just how comprehensive the guide is!

Chapter One - PDF | Suwannee River - HTML PDF | Merritt Island - HTML PDF
Table of Contents - HTML PDF | Purchase Now

Contents

Preface   xv

How to Use This Book   xvii

Part 1. Tips for Paddling in Florida

1. Getting Started   1

     What’s Your Canoe IQ?   2

     Personal Gear and Clothing for Florida Paddling   5

2. Packing Your Boat   14

     Essentials   14

     Packing Gear   15

3. Staying Healthy   17

     Muscle Soreness   17

     Sunburn   18

     Heat Exhaustion and Sunstroke   18

     Hypothermia   19

     Rashes   21

     Bites and Stings   21

4. Staying Safe   22

     Capsizing   22

     Storms   22

     Navigation   23

     Avoiding Other Boats   24

5. Camping the Florida Way   26

     Basic Florida Camping, by John Phillips   26

     The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Camping   29

6. Food and Cooking   34

     Camp Cooking, by John Phillips   34

     The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Camp Cooking   36

7. Group Activities, Games, and Sharks’ Teeth 40

     Practical Jokes   41

     Collecting   42

     Campﬁre Stories and Entertainment   42

     Fossils and Sharks’ Teeth   42

Part 2. Common Florida Animals, Birds, and Plants

   8. Biters and Stingers   45

       Insect Repellents That Work   45

       Bug Suits   46

       Insects   47

       Other Stingers   49

   9. Raiders   50

       Deer   51

       Wild Pigs   51

       Raccoons   52

       Squirrels   53

10. Scales, Fangs, and Shells   54

       Alligators   54

       Snakes   59

       Turtles   63

11. Birds   66

       Anhingas and Cormorants   66

       Eagles   67

       Great Blue Herons   68

       Great Egrets   68

       Owls   68

       Green-Backed Herons   69

       Ibis   69

       Limpkins   69

       Ducks   70

       Ospreys   70

       Pelicans   70

       Roseate Spoonbills   71

       Terns   72

       Snowy Egrets   72

12. Florida’s Real Mermaids   73

       Manatees   73

       Dolphins   75

13. Plants along the Waterway   77

14. Fishing from Your Boat   79

Part 3. Where-to-Paddle Destinations

Area 1. The Panhandle   83

     Destination 1. Chipola River   84

     Destination 2. Coldwater Creek   89

     Destination 3. Econﬁna Creek   93

     Destination 4. Escambia River   97

     Destination 5. Holmes Creek   100

     Destination 6. Perdido River   103

     Destination 7. Shoal River   107

     Destination 8. St. Joe Bay   111

     Destination 9. Sweetwater and Juniper Creeks   116

     Destination 10. Wakulla River   120

     Destination 11. Yellow River   123

Area 2. Northeast Florida   127

     Destination 12. Alexander Springs   128

     Destination 13. Ashby Lake and Cassadaga Town   132

     Destination 14. Aucilla River   135

     Destination 15. Bulow Creek   139

     Destination 16. Cross Creek   142

     Destination 17. DeLeon Springs   146

     Destination 18. Drayton Island   149

     Destination 19. Guana River   153

     Destination 20. Historic Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail   157

     Destination 21. Homosassa River   161

     Destination 22. Juniper Springs   165

     Destination 23. Lake PanasoVkee   169

     Destination 24. Ochlockonee River (Upper)   172

     Destination 25. Ocklawaha River (Lower)   176

     Destination 26. Ocklawaha River (Upper)   180

     Destination 27. Pellicer Creek   183

     Destination 28. Rainbow River, by Nancy Scharmach   186

     Destination 29. Salt Springs Run   190

     Destination 30. Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers   194

     Destination 31. Shingle Creek and the Suwannee Delta   200

     Destination 32. Silver River   204

     Destination 33. Sopchoppy River   207

     Destination 34. Spruce Creek   210

     Destination 35. Steinhatchee River   214

     Destination 36. St. Marys River   218

     Destination 37. Suwannee River   223

     Destination 38. Tomoka River   229

     Destination 39. Wacissa River   232

     Destination 40. Withlacoochee River (North)   235

Area 3. Central Florida   241

     Destination 41. Alaﬁa River   242

     Destination 42. Anclote River, by Bryce HuV   246

     Destination 43. Arbuckle Creek   249

     Destination 44. Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands   253

     Destination 45. Canaveral National Seashore   257

     Destination 46. Chassahowitzka River   263

     Destination 47. Cockroach Bay   266

     Destination 48. Crystal River   269

     Destination 49. Double Branch Creek   272

     Destination 50. Econlockhatchee River   275

     Destination 51. Fort DeSoto Park   279

     Destination 52. Hillsborough River, by Jean Faulk   284

     Destination 53. Hontoon Island   290

     Destination 54. Little Manatee River   292

     Destination 55. Merritt Island   296

     Destination 56. Mount Dora   300

     Destination 57. Pithlachascotee River   304

     Destination 58. Reedy Creek, by Larry Reed   308

     Destination 59. Sebastian Creek, by Larry Reed   311

     Destination 60. Terra Ceia Bay   314

     Destination 61. Turkey Creek Sanctuary, by Larry Reed and Arnie                                                   Diedrichs   316

     Destination 62. Turnbull Creek, by Laurilee Thompson   319

     Destination 63. Ulumay Wildlife Refuge, by Larry Reed   323

     Destination 64. Walk-in-the-Water to Kissimmee   326

     Destination 65. Weedon Island   329

     Destination 66. Weeki Wachee River   333

     Destination 67. Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run   337

     Destination 68. Winter Haven Chain of Lakes   342

     Destination 69. Winter Park Chain of Lakes   345

     Destination 70. Withlacoochee River (South)   349

Area 4. The Lake Okeechobee Area   355

     Destination 71. Braden River   356

     Destination 72. Estero River   359

     Destination 73. Hickey Creek   364

     Destination 74. Lake Okeechobee   367

     Destination 75. Little Sarasota Bay   372

     Destination 76. Loxahatchee River   376

     Destination 77. Loxahatchee Slough   382

     Destination 78. Manatee River (Upper)   386

     Destination 79. Matlacha Island   389

     Destination 80. Myakka River   393

     Destination 81. Naples Nature Center   396

     Destination 82. Orange River   399

     Destination 83. Peace River   403

Area 5. South Florida and the Keys   409

     Destination 84. Big Pine Key and the Back Country   410

     Destination 85. Blackwater and Royal Palm Hammock Creeks   414

     Destination 86. Blackwater Sound   417

     Destination 87. Dania Wetlands   419

     Destination 88. Marco Island   421

     Destination 89. Rookery Bay   424

     Destination 90. West Lake   426

     Destination 91. Wilderness Waterway   429

Conclusion   435

Appendix 1: Paddling Clubs   437

Appendix 2: Suggested Reading   443

Appendix 3: Glossary   445

Appendix 4: Florida State Parks with Canoe Rentals   447

Appendix 5: Florida’s Offcial State Canoe Trails   449

Guest Authors   451

Contributors   453

Index   457

© 2002 University Press of Florida. All Rights Reserved.
< Back to the Reading Room

Reading Room: Sample
Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State By Sandy Huff Whether you're a first-time paddler or a whitewater veteran, whether you're looking for an easy going two-hour tour with your family or a week-long solo adventure, this book lists the most delightful destinations to explore in a state famous for its scenic waterways. Read a complete excerpt from chapter one, including the Tips for Paddling Florida and Getting Started sections. Then check out our two full sample destination excerpts -- the Suwannee River in Northeast Florida and Merritt Island in Central Florida. You may also peruse the Table of Contents to see just how comprehensive the guide is!
Chapter One - PDF \| Suwannee River - HTML PDF \| Merritt Island - HTML PDF Table of Contents - HTML PDF \| Purchase Now
Contents Preface xv How to Use This Book xvii Part 1. Tips for Paddling in Florida 1. Getting Started 1 What’s Your Canoe IQ? 2 Personal Gear and Clothing for Florida Paddling 5 2. Packing Your Boat 14 Essentials 14 Packing Gear 15 3. Staying Healthy 17 Muscle Soreness 17 Sunburn 18 Heat Exhaustion and Sunstroke 18 Hypothermia 19 Rashes 21 Bites and Stings 21 4. Staying Safe 22 Capsizing 22 Storms 22 Navigation 23 Avoiding Other Boats 24 5. Camping the Florida Way 26 Basic Florida Camping, by John Phillips 26 The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Camping 29 6. Food and Cooking 34 Camp Cooking, by John Phillips 34 The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Camp Cooking 36 7. Group Activities, Games, and Sharks’ Teeth 40 Practical Jokes 41 Collecting 42 Campﬁre Stories and Entertainment 42 Fossils and Sharks’ Teeth 42 Part 2. Common Florida Animals, Birds, and Plants 8. Biters and Stingers 45 Insect Repellents That Work 45 Bug Suits 46 Insects 47 Other Stingers 49 9. Raiders 50 Deer 51 Wild Pigs 51 Raccoons 52 Squirrels 53 10. Scales, Fangs, and Shells 54 Alligators 54 Snakes 59 Turtles 63 11. Birds 66 Anhingas and Cormorants 66 Eagles 67 Great Blue Herons 68 Great Egrets 68 Owls 68 Green-Backed Herons 69 Ibis 69 Limpkins 69 Ducks 70 Ospreys 70 Pelicans 70 Roseate Spoonbills 71 Terns 72 Snowy Egrets 72 12. Florida’s Real Mermaids 73 Manatees 73 Dolphins 75 13. Plants along the Waterway 77 14. Fishing from Your Boat 79 Part 3. Where-to-Paddle Destinations Area 1. The Panhandle 83 Destination 1. Chipola River 84 Destination 2. Coldwater Creek 89 Destination 3. Econﬁna Creek 93 Destination 4. Escambia River 97 Destination 5. Holmes Creek 100 Destination 6. Perdido River 103 Destination 7. Shoal River 107 Destination 8. St. Joe Bay 111 Destination 9. Sweetwater and Juniper Creeks 116 Destination 10. Wakulla River 120 Destination 11. Yellow River 123 Area 2. Northeast Florida 127 Destination 12. Alexander Springs 128 Destination 13. Ashby Lake and Cassadaga Town 132 Destination 14. Aucilla River 135 Destination 15. Bulow Creek 139 Destination 16. Cross Creek 142 Destination 17. DeLeon Springs 146 Destination 18. Drayton Island 149 Destination 19. Guana River 153 Destination 20. Historic Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail 157 Destination 21. Homosassa River 161 Destination 22. Juniper Springs 165 Destination 23. Lake PanasoVkee 169 Destination 24. Ochlockonee River (Upper) 172 Destination 25. Ocklawaha River (Lower) 176 Destination 26. Ocklawaha River (Upper) 180 Destination 27. Pellicer Creek 183 Destination 28. Rainbow River, by Nancy Scharmach 186 Destination 29. Salt Springs Run 190 Destination 30. Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers 194 Destination 31. Shingle Creek and the Suwannee Delta 200 Destination 32. Silver River 204 Destination 33. Sopchoppy River 207 Destination 34. Spruce Creek 210 Destination 35. Steinhatchee River 214 Destination 36. St. Marys River 218 Destination 37. Suwannee River 223 Destination 38. Tomoka River 229 Destination 39. Wacissa River 232 Destination 40. Withlacoochee River (North) 235 Area 3. Central Florida 241 Destination 41. Alaﬁa River 242 Destination 42. Anclote River, by Bryce HuV 246 Destination 43. Arbuckle Creek 249 Destination 44. Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands 253 Destination 45. Canaveral National Seashore 257 Destination 46. Chassahowitzka River 263 Destination 47. Cockroach Bay 266 Destination 48. Crystal River 269 Destination 49. Double Branch Creek 272 Destination 50. Econlockhatchee River 275 Destination 51. Fort DeSoto Park 279 Destination 52. Hillsborough River, by Jean Faulk 284 Destination 53. Hontoon Island 290 Destination 54. Little Manatee River 292 Destination 55. Merritt Island 296 Destination 56. Mount Dora 300 Destination 57. Pithlachascotee River 304 Destination 58. Reedy Creek, by Larry Reed 308 Destination 59. Sebastian Creek, by Larry Reed 311 Destination 60. Terra Ceia Bay 314 Destination 61. Turkey Creek Sanctuary, by Larry Reed and Arnie Diedrichs 316 Destination 62. Turnbull Creek, by Laurilee Thompson 319 Destination 63. Ulumay Wildlife Refuge, by Larry Reed 323 Destination 64. Walk-in-the-Water to Kissimmee 326 Destination 65. Weedon Island 329 Destination 66. Weeki Wachee River 333 Destination 67. Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run 337 Destination 68. Winter Haven Chain of Lakes 342 Destination 69. Winter Park Chain of Lakes 345 Destination 70. Withlacoochee River (South) 349 Area 4. The Lake Okeechobee Area 355 Destination 71. Braden River 356 Destination 72. Estero River 359 Destination 73. Hickey Creek 364 Destination 74. Lake Okeechobee 367 Destination 75. Little Sarasota Bay 372 Destination 76. Loxahatchee River 376 Destination 77. Loxahatchee Slough 382 Destination 78. Manatee River (Upper) 386 Destination 79. Matlacha Island 389 Destination 80. Myakka River 393 Destination 81. Naples Nature Center 396 Destination 82. Orange River 399 Destination 83. Peace River 403 Area 5. South Florida and the Keys 409 Destination 84. Big Pine Key and the Back Country 410 Destination 85. Blackwater and Royal Palm Hammock Creeks 414 Destination 86. Blackwater Sound 417 Destination 87. Dania Wetlands 419 Destination 88. Marco Island 421 Destination 89. Rookery Bay 424 Destination 90. West Lake 426 Destination 91. Wilderness Waterway 429 Conclusion 435 Appendix 1: Paddling Clubs 437 Appendix 2: Suggested Reading 443 Appendix 3: Glossary 445 Appendix 4: Florida State Parks with Canoe Rentals 447 Appendix 5: Florida’s Offcial State Canoe Trails 449 Guest Authors 451 Contributors 453 Index 457 © 2002 University Press of Florida. All Rights Reserved. < Back to the Reading Room