Florida
Kayaking North Florida’s Sacred Springs & Rivers
Program No. 23541RJ
Kayak along North Florida’s artesian springs and rivers, learning about sustainability, conservation and ecology from the locals who advocate to protect the crystal-clear waters.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals (
5B, 3L, 4D
)
5 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Intro to North Florida
Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Meals:
D
Stay:
Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed & Breakfast
Activity Note
Inn check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via mini-bus shuttle unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a wine-and-cheese welcome reception before dinner, and spend some time getting to know our fellow lifelong learners.
Dinner:
At the inn, we’ll savor a dinner featuring Southern favorites.
Evening:
On the porch of the inn, we’ll settle in for an introductory discussion and viewing of a film on Florida’s many springs. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Florida Springs Institute, Paddle Down Ichetucknee River
Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed & Breakfast
Activity Note
Getting in/out of kayaks; approximately 2 hours paddling time in the afternoon; one-way, downstream with gentle current. Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 27 miles throughout the day, approximately 1/2 hour total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
Boarding a shuttle bus, we will transfer to the Florida Springs Institute where we’ll meet an expert lecturer-biologist-ecologist for a lecture on the Florida springs and aquifer sustainability, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Lunch:
At the Ichetucknee State Park, we’ll enjoy a picnic spread.
Afternoon:
Arriving aboard our vehicle, we’ll meet our outfitter for an afternoon of kayaking on the river at Ichetucknee Springs. This is a one-way downstream paddle on a quiet spring of clear water, all within Ichetucknee State Park. Its width ranges from 10 feet in the narrowest parts of the headwaters to over 100 feet in the wild rice marshes, and the current is very gentle.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Kayak Santa Fe River, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed & Breakfast
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving 50 miles, under 1.5 hours total riding time. Getting in/out of kayaks, paddling approximately 4.5 hours; one-way, downstream on Santa Fe River; relatively wide waterway (averaging nearly 100 feet across) with gentle current.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
Arriving at the put-in point on the Santa Fe River, our paddle downstream will be a one-way trip on this broad, easy-flowing river. While this is primarily a blackwater river (the most common river type in Florida), we will pass one of the greatest concentrations of clear, artesian springs in Florida. Our route will carry us past over 15 named springs and many smaller, unnamed ones, as well as a couple of swallet holes where the water flows down into the ground—basically the reverse of springs. Few rivers compare with the Santa Fe for viewing and studying freshwater springs, swallets, and the karst terrain. Along the way, we’ll make stops and have opportunities to learn more about the springs, then keep our eyes peeled for wildlife.
Lunch:
At Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, we’ll have picnic lunches. Participants may stroll through the park and enjoy the stunning views of a typical Florida spring.
Afternoon:
We will continue down the Santa Fe River with our instructor. Arriving at the pull-out spot at the 41 Bridge, we’ll board the shuttle bus to return to the inn.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll then settle in on the porch for a lecture from a Florida historian on the commerce of the river, which will feature reports about industries such as logging, impact on Native American communities, and more.
Day
4
Paynes Prairie, Hike La Chua Trail, Observation Tower
Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Meals:
B
Stay:
Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed & Breakfast
Activity Note
Walking approximately 4 miles throughout the day; boardwalks, paved and packed earth trails, some avoidable steps. Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 30 miles, less than 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
Arriving to the park, we’ll set out on north rim of the La Chua Trail in Paynes Prairie State Park and take a morning hike with a local interpreter, who is also a senior park ranger. Paynes Prairie is the only park in Florida where visitors can experience bison and horses roaming wild, making it a unique place. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals. This park is city owned and plays an important role in the water purification of storm water. These manmade wetlands are enjoyed by an incredible number of migratory wading birds. A park ranger will accompany the group during our visit to the Sweetwater Wetlands Park.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in the town of historic town of Micanopy. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We’ll have a lecture in Micanopy. Continuing, we’ll hike the rims of La Chua Sink, still in Paynes Prairie, followed by a lecture from an environmental scientist who will explain why this feature plays an important role in Florida’s first state preserve. Our hike will finish at Paynes Prairie headquarters where you may wish to climb to the top of the three-story Observation Tower. It’s the perfect location to take in the views of the Big Lagoon State Park landscape.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Kayaking at Silver Springs State Park
Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed & Breakfast
Activity Note
Getting in/out of kayaks; paddling about 2.5 hours one-way downstream; Silver River is relatively wide, from 70 to 100 feet across, with a gentle current. Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 80 miles; about 2 hours total riding time roundtrip.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
Traveling via shuttle bus, we’ll arrive at Silver River Springs State Park where we will kayak down the Silver River. There are the dozens of springs along the first mile of the river including Mammoth Spring, one of the largest in the world. The clear water flowing from these springs merge to form one of Florida's most scenic rivers. The entire 5.5-mile river and the land surrounding it on both sides is within Silver River State Park, which features a semi-tropical forest of bald cypress, tupelo, red maples, green ash, holly, dogwood, elm, and palm trees.
Lunch:
At Silver Springs State Park, we’ll have our picnic lunches.
Afternoon:
We’ll visit the Silver Springs State Park’s head, where we will board a glass bottom boat for a ride on the water. Better able to see the goings on beneath the surface, we will see the river in a whole new way.
Dinner:
At the Inn, we’ll be joined by an expert and board member from the Florida Springs Institute who will present a lecture as we enjoy a meal. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. You may wish to explore the Gainesville Farmers Market nearby. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Wrap-up Presentation, Program Concludes
Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Inn check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
After breakfast, we’ll conclude by taking a group picture and exchanging contact information. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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