Travelog

This season we discussed including some out-of-town paddles to extend our range. So, we decided to head to Lido Key. It has a nice paddle through the mangroves, also some open water options and it is close to St. Armand’s circle for lunch and shopping options. With the traffic, it took about 1 ½ hours from Punta Gorda. We were the first group of the day to arrive so there was plenty of parking. Our aim was to go through the mangrove tunnels first and then head out to Sarasota Bay if we wanted to go longer.

However,…the best laid plans… Once we got in the kayaks, we realized that (oops) we are in low a low tide situation. It turns out that it was the lowest of low tides. This happens mostly in January. We happily got in the kayaks only to realize that we were stuck in the mud. So, we ended up towing our kayaks and hiking out to deeper water. Because we were unable to get into the mangroves, we stayed out in the bay for the whole paddle. The wind was blowing 10 to 12 from the north east so we had some fun waves to navigate and got a good work out. 

After the paddle we went to the Spanish themed Columbia Restaurant at St Armand’s Circle. Very good food in a quality place which is expected in the circle. 

There was a little disappointment at not getting into the mangroves, but will maybe try it again later in the spring. 

Kayak Eco Tours at Nav-a-gator 

February 8th 2022

Our trip to paddle out of the Nav-a-gator bar on the Peace River started out a little slow. We had scheduled with tour guide Steve Burroughs. It was cool and drizzling off and on before we started. So as a group we went back and forth with the decision whether or not to do it. Finally, we decided to give it a go. It did not rain while we were out, and Steve led a very nice tour. The Peace River has many twists, turns, and back channels so it is fun to have a guide to show you the way. We got to see many birds but no alligators this time. The paddle lasted about 90 minutes. 

Lunch after was at the Nav-a-gator bar and grill. Very nice as usual.

The PGICA Paddlers have had to cancel several paddles this year due to inclement weather including the one at Liverpool Island. Seeing a good weather opportunity this week we decided on a last-minute paddle to see how it would go. It was a success according to the participants. There were 8 paddlers that were able to come at the last minute. All were happy that we were able to do it as we didn’t want to miss seeing the rookeries this year. 

The weather was lovely. We got to the first island in a light breeze. The wind picked up and we had an upwind paddle until we turned into the next channel. From there it was downwind past the second rookery island and all the way back to the ramp. 

We didn’t know if the birds would be there since it is later in the spring. The first island had some wood storks nesting. The second island had a bigger colony of wood storks, roseate spoonbills, and egrets. The nests on the second island seem to be a little more hidden in the foliage than the first island. It does seem that in the last couple of years more birds have moved over there. 

If anyone new is interested, this is a beginner to intermediate paddle depending on the wind. The river there is fairly wide; so, if you see any alligators they are pretty far away on the bank. 

After the paddle, we gathered at the Peace Rive Seafood Restaurant for lunch. We discussed looking at some last-minute paddle notices occasionally for next year if we run into the same problems of cancellations.

Thirteen club members participated in the Feb. 22 paddle that launched from Oyster Creek Park and toured that estuary and its intersection with Lemon Bay. We had the joint benefit of having a guide and beautiful weather. Our guide, naturalist Mike Weisenee, paused periodically along the way to point out many of the natural elements that we otherwise often pass by without noticing. On our first pause, Mike scooped up a few “Upside-Down Jellyfish”, the scientific genus Cassiopea. Upside- down Jellyfish - Gulf Specimen Marine Lab. They were plentiful, but visible only when you know what to look for, with a very mild sting. We paused mid-trip to land on a sandy beach where various Mangroves, shells and other sea life were identified, as well as raccoon and crab tracks.  Many types of birds were observed, including Great Egret, Crowned Night Heron, Cormorant, Osprey and Willet. We were also able to observe a very large eagle’s nest with two fledglings visible. There was a light chop as we returned to the launch site, but overall it was an easy paddle, the main feature being the science lessons explaining the beautiful environment along the way. Oyster Creek Park is across the street from the Cedar Point Environmental Center, which operates in tandem with the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC). Our guide encouraged us to return for a visit there to experience the views from the land. Each paddler contributed $10, covering the guide’s fee with $50 additional left which will be donated to CHEC during the April Giving Challenge, to double our impact.

Many of the participants then adjourned to lunch at the nearby Ken & Barb’s Grove City Grill.