10/23/22 to 10/29/22 –Paddling and Biking near Pensacola
This week involved exploring several rivers within the Blackwater River State Forest, the largest state forest in Florida. Rivers we explored included the Backwater River, ColdWater Creek, and Juniper Creek. The highlight of the week was seeing an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake while hiking on the Florida Trail near Fort Pickens. We also found time to bike on the Backwater Heritage Trail near Milton. Joining me were Rosemary Daley, David Tanner, Mike and Margaret Anderson, Moira Morrissey, Ann Johansmeyer along with our guides, Greg Pflug and Bill Durkin.
10/29 to 11/4/22 – Touring the Gulf Coast
Since we had a week in between paddles, we decided to tour the Gulf Coast. Highlights included:
Beauvoir in Gulfport, the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library.
New Orleans , where we visited the National Museum of WWII, along with a swamp and plantation tour.
Touring the Vicksburg Battlefield, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi.
Biking the Longleaf Trace Trail near Hattiesburg.
11/6/22 to 11/12/22 – Paddling and Biking out of Wakulla Lodge
Unfortunately, this part of our trip was cut short due to Tropical Storm Nicole. However we did paddle the Wakulla, where we witnessed a rattlesnake swimming across the river. We also got to see several springs while paddling on the Wacissa. On our last day, some of us paddled the Suwannee. Biking included the Tallahassee – St Marks Rail Trail. Joining me on this trip were : Rosemary Daley, Jack & Lenore Reber, Joe & Alison Zokse, Dan Van Uithuizen, Jim Leinweber, Lynn Filarecki, Claire Pospisil and Cynthia Cross. Along with our guides, Greg Pflug and Bill Durkin.
– David Pisaneschi