1. Wekiva River, Lower Preserve - July 2nd and 3rd, 2009

This trip proved to be a challenge for even the hardiest of campers...mostly because we got lost. However, the trip started out well. When we arrived at Wekiva Springs State Park, we checked in at the ranger booth. We had already booked a primitive camp site called "Buffalo Tram". It is the closest site to where we put in at, Wekiva Island. More on that in a minute. As it was one day after the start of the fiscal year, it was the first park we had gone to after the price increase. Not a big deal, the primitive campsites went up $1 per person per night, to $5. I wish they would have told us on the phone, but no big deal. What was exciting was that WESH 2 news pulled up about the same time as us, noticed the car and asked to speak with us. Of course, we were more than obligied. They asked us what we thought of the rate increase, and also informed us 19 parks would have closed without it. Well, there you go. That sealed the deal for us. We certainly don't want any parks to close. They taped the car driving away, and we sure got a kick out of it.

Now, when you go to Wekiva Springs, you do not want to put a canoe at the spring. You have to carry (not even drag because of the concrete) the canoe for a good 15 minutes. Not recommended. Instead, drive down to Wekiva Island (right next to the State Park) and launch your boat from there. Wekiva Island charges $6 per boat, whereas the State Park is $6 a car. The state park is a little cheaper. Wekiva Island also charges $5 a night if you park overnight, which you will if you camp. However, if you are just going to swim, drive to the State Park. Also, get there early on busy weekends -- the park closed at about 11 a.m. on July 3rd (a holiday) due to overcrowding.

Now, once we put in at Wekiva Island, we had been told by the park ranger that it was about a 2 hour canoe ride to Buffalo Tram. Well, apparently we are fast canoers, because, unknown to us, we passed it after about an hour. I would start looking early. The sign is rather small, on the left hand side of the river. You will come to a small island where you cannot go to the left because of underbrush. Go to the right, but then immediatly look to your left. You will see the sign ------->

If you come to a downed tree a canoe can barely go under, you are about 45 minutes too far. Tom and I went 2 hours to far, turning it into a 5 hour trip. I felt like Gilligan.

Once we made it to the site, it was very nice. The grass had recently been mowed and there was a fire pit. Some sort of old, wrecked boat was off to the side, which we may have explored if we had more time. Most interestingly, a raccoon, who was not scared of us at all, wandered through camp. We made sure to keep our food in the tent. There were also a lot of bugs - I would recommend some sort of standing bug spray, like the new Off! clip on. We got bit quite a bit. It is a private site, with other people who canoe by not even usually seeing you, as it is hidden a little. It would be a great spot to camp in the winter, when it is a little cooler and the bugs have exited.

All in all, it was a great trip. I will post again I am sure about the spring and kayaking, as this is the closest state park to my home.