a
scurvy
c
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Eventually, we pushed upstream until the Wekiva became a wee trickle. There was much joy and celebration amongst the crew, when providence brought us to a broad, clear, shallow gravel bar. Here one could refresh without worrying too much about the large reptiles which lurked in the deeper regions.
We enjoyed a fine repast and some jolly splashing in the cool water.
I could feel the crew coming together. I began to feel that this voyage may be a success after all.
uh
oh
T'was not long before we were reminded of the true ownership of this gravel bar, and so we returned to our long boat for the voyage downstream. The downstream voyage, aided by a favoring current, was easy on us, and we voted to let Jr. (ballast) steer us back to port. He took the stern seat and did a fine job.
It had been quite a voyage with this greenhorn crew so recently snatched from their landlubber existence. We might have pushed farther, had they not eaten all the provisions, but perhaps this was enough for their shakedown cruise.
skipper
As captain, I see promise in this crew and hope to sail into other uncharted regions with them.
So ends this tale of wet, watery, wild Waccasassa exploration.
The large reptiles lurking in the deeps indeed. I had no captain to spy my foolishness along the Wacissa and so it was my pleasure to jump into the gator-ridden waters, without a single thought that this might not be a good idea. (Despite that I had been gleefully smacking the waters with the canoe paddles to make them dive.)
ReplyDeleteHave to admit though that the waters were cool and wondeful.
Wayne,
ReplyDeleteYou didn't get to work on that FSU underwater archaeology project on the Wacissa did you?...I think it was the Wacissa, not the Econfina, but I have been known to make mistakes sometimes.
I was sitting here at my little green desk, calmly perusing and much enjoying this day's post, when I was struck dumb by one of your photos. I started calling family members and the stunned comments fairly flew. Your junior gar catcher looks so much like our junior bass fisherman that it is uncanny. Even he was shocked and said, "Wow, he looks just like me!"
ReplyDeleteAnd to think just the other day you were talking about dopplegangers!
Threecollie,
ReplyDeleteCool! Post a pic if possible!
Does yours eat nonstop and not pick up his clothes too?
Yes, yes, that is him. We are going to do a photo tonight; we are just looking for some cool shades and waiting for him to get done work and scrape off a few layers of whatever he has been working in, so as to make him more presentable.
ReplyDeleteThingFish,
ReplyDeleteHey, welcome back!
This Wekiva is a separate one that also carries the name of the one you were on.
Good to hear from ya!
Hey-- that was quite an adventure. Glad y'all lived to tell us about it. Those reptiles looked big and hungry. I think I'd be too nervous to even wade in water that had gators anywhere within a mile. Your kids are tough, and quite cute too! Everyone looks like they had a good time. Great story and pics. Now I want to see a photo of threecollie's son. How fun!
ReplyDeleteAhh nothing like paddling down a cool, shallow spring run on a hot summer day. And I wish I had the fishing...er...grabbing talents of your son. Too bad gar don't taste too good.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
ReplyDeleteI give them lots of space, respect, and no trust. There's a cold reptilian brain in that skull.
That is funny about ThreeCollie's comment. Small world.
HurricaneTeen,
It was strictly "grab and release". This is definitely a good canoe trip. You should check out Deep Creek over near Hastings, that's a pretty canoe ride too...or take your canoe up to Guana Lake and check it out. I used to love that spot.
What an adventure! Glad you did it. Makes me want to get the canoe out...SOON!
ReplyDeleteby the way...after a close up look at one of the photos, my small town/rural school district has the same mascot as your small town/rural school district!
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteI know. Mine had sat for too long before this trip. I'm already scouting the next spot.
Great tale!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you and your crew survived!
ava
Deb,
ReplyDeleteYes, I figured someone might notice that item...we have 11 schools in our county.
Ava,
ReplyDeleteYes, we were lucky...this time!
dproger,
aye mate, your gatory crew is a toothsome bunch.i did scratch in the gravel for fossil/arrowhead treasures, but alas ye buried them well.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteoooh yes, I love Guana Lake...but thanks for the tip, I've never been to Deep Creek. Where do you put in there?
ReplyDeleteOnly you can take an adventure like this and bring the audience into it so they feel the danger, the excitement, the fear, the triumph as if they were there themselves. Good job on trading shiny baubles for provisions.
ReplyDeleteHurricaneTeen,
ReplyDeleteI used to put in at the 207 bridge, and I believe you still can, even tho it's a now a brand new bridge.
Leslie,
Thank you kind lady for that nice compliment.
No fear tho ;)
Wow...what beautiful scenery and I can't believe you guys waded in water with gators around....
ReplyDeleteI really loved your adventure with the kids. It was so interesting and almost like being there myself. You really are a great storyteller.
I can't believe Jr. and how fast he is with his hands. We used to catch garr in the Licking River in Ky...boy do they have a set of teeth on them. We weren't fishing for them, but for catfish, so of course we let them go.
Abandoned,
ReplyDeleteIt's his 15 minutes of fame.
You are right about the teeth. They are awesome.