Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away. That’s where my heart is yearning ever, Home where the old folks stay.
This past week my brother Harrison and his not-girlfriend (who shall be referred to as J) came to visit for Christmas. The day after Christmas we went canoeing on the Suwannee River.
Newbies
I haven’t been canoeing before. Neither had J. Harrison claims he has been canoeing before, and the parents have been canoeing before, but that was a while ago. We have been kayaking, but, contrary to popular belief, it is very much different. Different beyond the fact that the boats are different and the paddles are different.
Truck Ride
We rented two canoes. One for the three young adults, and one for the older two adults.
Since the man who drove us to the boat launch couldn’t fit us all in his truck, J and I volunteered to ride in the back of the truck. Because, you know, that’s the best seat anyway.
We safely arrived at the boat launch. J and Harrison decided to paddle first, so I sat in the middle of the boat. It was an hour or so until we would stop for lunch.
Not Getting Married
It was fun listening to Harrison and J figure out how to paddle the boat. J continuously asked Harrison to communicate with her.
And then there was Harrison complaining that, although he was supposed to steer because he was in the back, the boat kept going in the direction that J was paddling.
As they debated and complained with and about each other, J repeatedly said, “And this is the reason we’re not getting married.”
River Camps
We saw a flight of stairs on shore leading above the water level, and decided to stop there for lunch.
A man walked out to greet us. He explained that he was the camphost. Apparently the stairs led up to a campground that was only accessible from the water, so that overnight boaters could stop at the campground for a place to stay during the night.
All of the sites were enclosed, with only tent sites, and the bathhouses had showers with running water. The camphost told us that there were five such campgrounds in the area along the Suwannee River - all part of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.
We ate there - and J caught a gecko - before heading back down to the river. This time J and and I switched spots so I was paddling and she was riding.