We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature. – Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

Ft. White Floats My Borrowed Boat

There was also some mention of swimming.

Swimming? I don’t remember a pool.

My invitation to go kayaking came with THAT photo.

Which reminds me, got an invitation from a different buddy last year to come for a visit. He enclosed a photo of an enthusiastic family of black bears rampaging his backyard flower garden.

A more astute dude might wonder. But twice is not a pattern.

I’m at SouthWest Riverside Avenue, Fort White, Florida, for my annual kayaking trip. Second year, so it’s a tradition.

Starting a tradition at my age, what the hell. Why not?

Twice can be a tradition.

I have not turned a paddle since the inaugural event. Not to worry – imagine a great Seminole war chief in his dugout canoe. First thought: can we at least start off upriver, so I can come home with the current? And so we did.

Must admit, I got the complete VIP experience. Fancy dinner the night before, where I was introduced to my comely guide. She’s the kind of woman who backstrokes against the current.

Turns out her friends are my friends. On my right, John Parker, a Gainesville notable who won the SEC Mile title not once, not twice, but three times. The very idea never fails to impress me.

“Did you see that 108 college men broke the four-minute mile this year?” I asked him. “3:55 and change to qualify for National Indoors.”

His response: “I ran 4:10. Exactly what the cut off was for Nationals. So, I am in Heat 1 and the first name I see is JIM RYUN.”

From the tone of his voice, thought best not to ask how he did. But he got there.

I’m here. They put me in a truck. They drive me to the launch site. Kayak’s carried to the dock for me. Drop my old butt down and get pushed off.

“Have fun!” “Enjoy!” “Watch out for gators!!!”

That last one was me.

Turns out Parker is not a morning kayaker and now I remember we went in the early afternoon last year. Immediately, I’m thinking, he must know something. Maybe gators are more active in the a.m.

For safety reasons, my guide floats behind me, ever vigilant for any nautical faux pas on my account. Or in case a stealthy alligator starts stalking me.

Shiny turtles adorn every stump in the sun. I can club one with my paddle, if I have to, I am thinking. If one should leap at me, I mean.

Yes, I too have noticed that I am never allowed to kayak alone. These things are expensive. At first I thought they were worried about my safety.

For instance, if I had been alone and anything had happened to those tender tanned teens in thongs. Oh, God, hate to go through that again, where were you between the hours of ten and twelve? Well, my guide is my alibi.

“Are you mermaids?”

They thought that was hys-ter-i-cal. Oh, the laughter.

Everything ‘s funny, until the gators get you. Suppose they’re attracted by noise like on “The Walking Dead.”

That’s why I wanted to kayak with John – improve my odds.

The idea of TWO huge man-eating reptiles hungry at the same time is just too crazy, right?

The striking clarity of the Ichetucknee River rate it as one of the best, if not the premier example of a spring-run stream in Florida. The park protects 3.5 miles of this cherished river, as well as its major springs and numerous seeps. The clear, cool spring water of the Ichetucknee River travels a couple of miles downstream before meeting the darker, tannic Santa Fe River.

For those fortunate enough to experience the sparkling spring-run itself on a blue-sky day, they will observe the sun’s rays illuminating the submerged aquatic vegetation, seemingly painted with nature’s many hues. These eelgrasses waving in the flow are a critical element of the underwater landscape. Countless turtles and stealthy gar weave their way through the river of grass; mullet jump out of the water while occasionally a manatee and her calf are spotted munching away.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/springs-ichetucknee

Only the brave should attempt this aquatic journey.

Remember, you could eaten by an alligator. You could drown.

And have you ever seen a unhappy – perhaps even angry – gar up close?

Alligator Mating Season Starts Soon In Florida

 Alligator mating season is expected to start soon in Florida, posing a threat to residents in the state.

On Thursday, the city of Oviedo posted a warning on social media about the mating season, cautioning residents to stay safe during this time.

According to city officials, “courtship” between alligators begins in early April, and mating happens in May or June.

During this time, female alligators build nests and can lay dozens of eggs by late June or early July.

“Alligators will start being more aggressive as the mating season starts, so we urge our residents to be aware of their surroundings, especially by the water,” city officials wrote. “Kids and pets should not play at the water’s edge.”

While alligator attacks aren’t common, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has recorded over 450 of them stemming back to 1948, with 30 being fatal.

Of the deadly attacks, over half of them occurred during breeding or nesting season.

“We have many bodies of water in the city, including ponds, lakes and rivers, making ideal habitats for the reptiles,” Oviedo officials said.

Several children — including a 3-year-old at Lake Ashby and a 10-year-old at the Loxahatchee River — have been killed by alligators after getting too close to the water.

Just last year, an 85-year-old woman was killed by an alligator after it attacked her dog while she was out for a walk.

To reduce the risk of alligator attacks, Oviedo city officials provided the following tips:

• Never feed alligators — it’s dangerous and illegal
• Keep pets on a leash and never walk them at the edge of a body of water
• Never swim outside of posted swimming areas and swim only during daylight hours
• Closely supervise children when they are playing in and around water
• Pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of possible presence
• If you see a baby alligator, know the mother is close by watching. Never handle the babies — they are not pets

If you have concerns about an alligator in your neighborhood, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Nuisance Alligator Hotline at (866) 392-4286.