Ichetucknee Springs State Park: A Florida Paddling Paradise

Wander HereUSA Roadtrip
Written By Candice McCoy

Wander Here: Ichetucknee Springs, Fort White, Florida USA

 

It was early on a crisp, beautiful December Saturday as we headed to Ichetucknee Springs State Park for a magical day of paddling.  We raced against time to get there before the boat launch area closed and made it just in the nick of time. We unloaded our boards, paddles, lifejackets, water, some snacks and of course my camera…all we needed for a few hours of fun in the springs.

Paddling Ichetucknee: A Wildlife Mecca in Fort White, FL

Paddling down the spring fed river was one of the most peaceful adventures we’ve had since getting to Florida. The sun shone through the moss draped cypress that hung gracefully over the river, and wild, beautiful grasses waved just below our boards before opening up to deep, cerulean blue spring water.  The Gar swam in schools right below, crisscrossing underneath our boards.  But the most magical moment was when we finally saw a manatee for the first time ever.  Every moment, I had been scanning the water, not really knowing what to look for but searching for any sign.

Adventure, Manatees, Crystal Clear Water

Suddenly a fellow kayaker began waving us over. “Manatee!” he mouthed in a loud whisper.  We paddled over quickly and sat, silently searching, not seeing anything. I paddled up river to follow the direction it had drifted to.  And then we saw it.  


A massive, light colored form just below the surface, gently bobbing along.  It took me back to the time I first saw a whale surface in the ocean - so peaceful and majestic all at the same time. I held my breath and marveled at how beautiful and graceful she was.  She turned and came toward my board as if to say hi, and drifted underneath me and as I secretly hoped she would  rise up and tip me over to join her in the water. 

Awe Inspiring Moments in Nature

It was one of the best moments of our trip so far and was a perfect reminder of why we set off on this journey.  Why we sacrificed so much and worked so hard to take our family on this adventure. It was for moments like this, getting so close to nature and experiencing God’s creation on a whole new level.  To learn what it is to slow down, remove distractions and really live in the moment, embracing the deepest moments and bonding together as a family through them.

As we said goodbye to the manatee and sent her on her way, we continued heading down river to see yet another manatee, hundreds of turtles, fish, birds and yes - an alligator.  We drifted by just 10 or 15 feet from him as he snoozed on a log, seemingly oblivious to anything going on around him.  

It was a beautiful day and such a fun adventure.  Florida Springs bring the magic in a really special way unlike anywhere else we’ve ever experienced.

Wander Here:
Ichetucknee Springs State Park

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Candice McCoy

Candice McCoy is the founder + editor of The Great Wanderlust.
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