Loxahatchee River - Jupiter

The first time I remember hearing of the Loxahatchee River was back in the early 80's. The first time I kayaked on the river was last weekend. Why the long wait? I don't know either. I should have done this many years ago and many times by now. As you may know if you follow this blog, I have kayaked or canoed many places in South Florida and around the state. I have enjoyed kayaking many more times and places than I have ever posted. When I say this trip was unique, you can take my word for it.


There are a few points along the Loxahatchee River you can pick up a canoe or kayak. This particular trip began at River Bend Park. I heard a lot about this section of the river and I was well prepared. The first order of business was to rent a kayak. My inflatable was a no go. The water level in the river changes drastically and this day it was low. That means a lot of bumping over logs.

I rented a kayak at Canoe Outfitters of Florida  right inside the park. Clicking the link will give you a pretty good idea of what they offer but bottom line, a kayak for the day - $25.00. I own an eleven foot inflatable Sea Eagle 370 and in the past have always rented ocean kayaks of about the same or slightly smaller size. The kayak I rented for this trip was about 7 feet long, a sit inside type, and a lot more tippy than I'm used to. About half way through the trip I noticed foot cleats inside. As soon as I adjusted them and started using them, my back stopped hurting and the kayak became much more stable. Wish I had noticed them sooner.


This is the kind of place you can enjoy over and over or a must do at least once in your lifetime. For me, it was a one hour drive and a  million years back in time kind of trip. You will not hear a car or plane 99% of the time. Only the sounds of running water and wilderness. This is where I am going to give you a wealth of information to make your trip more enjoyable.

Call ahead - This is a small river with a limited amount of boats for rent. I had no problem but I would  make a reservation to avoid possible disappointment.

Go early - The Canoe Outfitters opens at 8:00 am. We arrived at 8:30 am but still had the entire river to ourselves all the way out to the turnpike bridge. The way back was a totally different story. The river went from slightly congested to packed with novices.

Bring a camera - When else will you have an opportunity to see ancient, giant cypress trees unless you are lost in a swamp. There are also some great wildlife shots along the route.

Dams - There are two. You may be able to slide over them on the way out if the water is high enough but you will need to get out of your boat and drag it back the other way. It's actually a lot of fun even if I totally sunk my kayak on one. A dry bag is a great idea. Wish I had brought mine.

Alligators - They have them and in abundance. They will not eat you unless you are stupid. If you are stupid, and you know who you are, stay home. That goes for noisy, reckless, a litter bug, or just plain ignorant. This river and all the plants and animals who live in it were here long before you were. Try and remember you are visiting their home and use some of that common sense and common courtesy that seems so rare these days.

Skill - That all depends in the water level. On the day I went, it was a bit more challenging. There are obstructions and currents all the way down and back. For me it made the trip worth while. For some canoeing couples, it was putting relationships to the test. I will very likely go back when the water is higher just to see the difference.

Choices - If the river seems too intimidating, going the opposite direction at the start takes you down a wide and extremely flat canal. There is even a picnic area and launching beach if you brought your own boat. Much more suitable if I want to come back with the inflatables another time.

Once the canoe ride was over, I found some very elaborate and well marked walking/bike paths. They are all crushed coral with the occasional bridge. I walked along for a while as I was drying out but decided I would return with the bike and fully explore them soon. Not too far of a drive for a truly unique get-a-way from the big city.

Kayaking Islamorada

Even though I was staying at the beautiful Pines & Palms Resort,  I couldn't wait to get away, so to speak, and out on the water. From the front step of my ocean front cottage, I inflated my Sea Eagle 370 kayaks and hauled them a few yards to the boat launch. There was quite the audience to see me off. Seems like everyone was up and enjoying a cup of coffee at 8:00 AM and fascinated with the 20 minute process of inflating the kayaks.

If you have been following this blog, you know I have been floating around South Florida and each time I write about it, I've stretched the limits. This trip stretched my limits of endurance, heat tolerance, and fear. The entire trip was about 6 1/2 miles, two islands, several channel crossings and four foot seas.....ok like maybe two foot seas but the kayak is only 18 inches tall.

The day started out easy for the first five minutes but a strong current heading in one direction and a steady wind in another made for some very difficult tracking with the Sea Eagle. Being an eleven foot balloon, it's very easily redirected by the wind. The current in the channels certainly did not help as the tide was changing from low to high as we began our journey.

Lignumvitae Key Way off in the distance

The only way to overcome the forces of nature was to paddle hard and maintain maximum speed. Something we did for three long miles to Lignumvitae Key. There were several fellow kayakers close to shore but as soon as my friend and I headed to open water, we found ourselves very alone very quickly.

This was the most open ocean I ever tried to cross in the Sea Eagle (or anything without a motor) and it was quite a ride. Waves with an occasional white cap struck the kayak from the front or side fairly randomly and regularly but after taking a shot or two over the bow, I realized it was going to take a lot more to roll the kayak over. I was concerned being so far offshore with Florida's notoriously unpredictable weather but it was obviously going to be a better afternoon than morning so I stopped dreading and started enjoying.











We pulled up to Lignumvitae Key and had a little picnic on the dock. After a small snack and a big drink of water, we decided to explore the island. Since this is a state park, we met a very enthusiastic ranger who gave us a seemingly complete history of the island. I was not all that excited to get right back in the kayak and paddle 3 miles home so sitting and listening to some well narrated Florida history was just fine. That is right up to the point we were told about Indian Key. As far as I could tell from the map, visiting Indian Key was going to take us even farther from home. My friend was ready to increase our kayak challenge to an extreme adventure day and I reluctantly agreed.


We hopped back in the kayaks and at 11:15 AM we headed for our next and very unscheduled stop. We rode part of the way close to the channel so we had a bit of a push.  Indian Key looked like a spec of trees on the horizon when we started out but after much paddling, we discovered a pretty sizable island. Luckily the wind was with us this time and the wave action has subsided considerably. We made landfall on a sharp coral clearing and carried the kayaks to the beach so as not to shred them miles from the mainland. The first thing we saw was a little shell rock road with a street sign. Seemed like a joke until we realized the entire island was crisscrossed by little roads. In 1836, it was actually a thriving town and the county seat for Dade County. Hard to imagine. There are plenty of little signs around the island to in case you want a full blown history lesson.

Ok, enough fun in the sun. Time to paddle back. Water was running low and home was against the wind. For the first time we took some breaks and really took in the beauty around us. Jelly fish the size of dinner plates floated by, a Tarpon shot under the kayaks like a three foot torpedo, and some fins popped out of the water in front of us. My friend thought they were cute little dolphins. I'll let her keep thinking that until she realizes there was no spouting.

We made it back to the hotel about 3:00 PM, had the kayaks rinsed, dried, and in the bags by 4:00 PM. A fantastic day deserved a fantastic dinner but first a beer with our new friends on the pool deck. I was happy to have made it back with no problems but even happier I packed so much sight seeing into a single day.

Pines and Palms Resort – Islamorada

As anyone who follows this blog knows, as a rule, I like my fun to cost as little as possible. When picking a hotel for my Islamorada trip, I wanted something on the water, small, quaint, and inexpensive. I found several hotels that were a perfect match for what I was looking for. Unfortunately, due to the short lead time I allowed for this trip, they were booked so I stayed at the Pines & Palms Resort in one of their ocean front cottages. Not inexpensive, but in a world of “You get what you pay for” I would say I got much more than the price of admission.

Shopping hotels on the internet can be hit and miss but this one was truly as beautiful as the brochure. Right from the moment I checked in, I knew I was in the right place. Situated at the bottom end of Islamorada on the ocean side, the view was endless sea and in the distance, the Alligator Reef Light House three miles off shore. The entire property is sand with a beautiful beach sand deck right on the ocean and ten steps from the door of my cottage. Every morning the sand is raked like a Zen Garden. There are a lot of cottages on the property but only a very few at the waters edge. I spent my time kayaking, bike riding, on the beach chairs, in the pool, or at the bar right next to the pool. There is a boat launch and dock for at least six boats as that was the number I counted while sipping my morning coffee on the porch. The Pines & Palms Resort does not have food on the property but they provide a very nice list of the fifteen or so eateries within a few miles. I chose two so close, I actually walked to them.

Staying with the theme of spending a few bucks this trip, I chose Uncle's and The Green Turtle Inn. Neither had a view and both made up for it with excellent food. Uncle's is very deceiving from the street. It did not look all that fancy or big from the outside but once inside it was a different story. I had the frog legs appetizer and lamb chops with shrimp while my friend had something called Lobster Schnitzel. Sharing our meals back and forth, we could not agree on who had made out better.

The Green Turtle Inn is a renovated historic building and looks as impressive on the outside as it does on the inside. They also have a collection of unique dishes. I went for the Five Spice Tuna while my friend had a scallop dish that was out of this world.

Taking sunrise photos on the last morning of my stay, I knew this place would hold special memories. Not only was the hotel itself a pleasure, we made a few friends around the pool deck as well. Just part of the magic of the Florida Keys.

Kayaking Oleta River State Park - North Miami

I have been waiting a while to get a little experience with my inflatable Sea Eagle 370 Kayak before attempting Oleta River State Park. This was going to be the most challenging kayak adventure yet and I wanted to be sure I knew what to expect. Oleta has two distinct personalities. The mangrove and lazy river side and then the relatively open water of the Inter-coastal Waterway. Add a bit of a breeze, changing tide, and about a thousand boats to chop up the water, you have yourself a pretty exciting day.

I arrived early and parked near the launch site. This area is usually loaded with mountain bikers. I had quite a few curious onlookers  and some questions as I was inflating the kayak. Oleta has an onsite rental store for kayaks and canoes and as always, they were doing a booming business.

The adventure started off in the mangroves. I have mountain biked at Oleta recently. A sport that requires total concentration. I never noticed how close the bike trail was to the water  . Every few minutes I would hear a little rustling of leaves or a twig pop and a biker would slip by in the forest like a ghost. Not enough sound to bother the wading birds only a few feet away on the shore.

There is an open area where the sail boats anchor and another little river to explore. When I turned to head back to the open water, I ran right into a strong current heading the wrong way it seamed. The tide was coming in and it was in a hurry. Not only that but it brought the wind with it. Up until now it was smooth sailing in a lush tropical setting. A change in direction and the whole scene was different. The North Miami skyline was looming in the distance and FIU college was right beside me.

Right across from Oleta is the Haulover Inlet. One of the few cuts in South Florida leading from the Inter-Coastal to the open ocean. Since The Port of Miami and Port Everglades are fairly active with commercial traffic, pleasure boaters come from miles in both directions. Even more boaters never head out to open sea and cruise up and down the channel. It makes for a bumpy ride in a kayak, that's for sure.

My plan was to kayak over to a large island in the middle of all this activity but as I got nearer, the sounds of blasting music from the many boaters anchored on the beach somewhat discouraged me. Just a little farther South was a tiny island with one lone kayak beached on it. With a little course change, some hard paddling, and a bit of powerboat dodging, I arrived.

As I sat enjoying my lunch on my nearly private island, I took stock of the contrasting beauty all around me. I tried to imagine what this area looked like not even 100 years ago before the huge buildings and string of little islands that sprang up from dredging the channels. On the way back, I thought I would really challenge myself and head back along East side of the islands right along the channel.

Even though this is a no wake zone, any large boat will throw out a pretty good sized wave which bounces off the coral rock island and back at the kayak. I think I spent more time going up and down and side to side than forward. There was little opportunity to head into the wake as I would have headed right into the channel. Being tossed ashore would certainly be a problem as sharp coral rock and inflatable kayaks should not mix.

I left the rough seas of the bay and turned into the remaining portion of the kayak trails through the mangroves. A very peaceful end to the day. Even though the rental folks had launched half their flotilla, I only saw the occasional fellow kayaker during the day. Quite a few were bunched up on tours. Oleta is not the tranquil experience I usually prefer for my kayak adventures but at least I can say I did it.

My Sea Eagle 370 Kayak takes on Key Largo

I have been very pleased with the performance of my new Sea Eagle 370. It has handled well on the local lakes and rivers. Even better, it stores well in the back of the car or the spare bedroom in my condo when not in use. It was time to put it to use as I intended so off I went to Key Largo for sea trials.

If you are following my blog, you know I was recently staying right on the Florida Bay. You also may have noted I took the opportunity to use the complimentary ocean kayak provided by the motel for a 3 hour trip around the bay. I've never before kayaked in open water and it seemed best to give it a try with the proper equipment. Also it would make a great comparison to the Sea Eagle.

The next day I was on the East side of Key Largo at John Pennekamp State Park. The weather was not ideal and the water not as friendly with a steady breeze and much more boat chop. This was going to be a great test.

I started by easing the Sea Eagle off the little sandy beach and right into the current of the flowing tide. No problem at all. I was sitting higher than the Ocean Kayak and there was not nearly as much drag. I already knew the Sea Eagle tracks well and navigating the mangroves was a piece of cake. I also noted the curved paddles gave a lot more power over the flat paddles I used the day before. The current was noticeable but no problem at all going with it, against it, or being pushed sideways by it. Actually it added to the fun to anticipate which way the water was moving and paddle the boat to compensate.

After an hour or so in the mangroves, it was time to head into open water. I'm not sure why all the rental kayaks were staying on the shoreline but I left them way behind me in moments. The water was not calm but it was nearly so for the most part and there was a lot of it as far as I could see. The wind became a factor though. For the first time I was having some trouble managing a straight track. It was not like I was going anywhere in particular in all that water but I was being pushed around pretty well. I was also very close to the channel and fairly sizable boats were making some nice bow waves to play in. I aimed for a big one and waited for the ride. Wow. Nothing. It was like I was on flat water. The Ocean Kayak was taking a hop on jet ski waves. The Sea Eagle hardly moved. Even taking them on the side was not that impressive. Taking a chance, I sped right across the channel and into the salt marshes. I was miles from my starting point and I let the wind slowly blow me farther out while I watched sea grass drift by in the two foot deep clear water. I could have easily been lulled into a nap but I would have woke up off the Georgia coast. The weather started looking a bit ominous so I high tailed it back the three miles or so to my starting point.

I spent about four hours from start to finish in the Sea Eagle and could have done another hour or two. I was only out 3 hours on the Ocean Kayak the day before in much calmer water and no wind whatsoever but the hard seat, flat paddles, increased drag, and no back support really took a toll. Lets not forget that Kayak rental at Pennekamp is $30.00 an hour. Now that my Sea Eagle is tested in all the waters I intend to go, I'll be going a lot in the coming years.

John Pennekamp State Park - Key Largo

I have been to Key Largo several times over the years and somehow never managed a visit to John Pennekamp State Park. Until last weekend that is. Snorkeling is not really my thing so it seems silly to go to a coral reef park. I've known so many people who have gone and enjoyed it, I finally decided to check it out for myself.

To get in the park is $8.00. I arrived early but not early enough to catch the first glass bottom boat tour. The weather when I arrived looked ominous and the boat captain was urging passengers to buy sea sick pills. Not a good sign. The next boat was not till noon. The best thing to do, it seemed, was to investigate the nature trails and see how the weather panned out.

I am not kidding when I say I walked 20 feet down the path of the first nature trail and I was covered in mosquitoes. Even as a long time Florida resident I have never seen bugs that thick. No problem. Just walked over to the car and soaked myself in OFF. Good thing I brought it with me but I noticed they had plenty at the concession stand later in the day. I actually had to spray the brim of my hat to keep them out of my eyes and ears. The mosquitoes followed inches away like paparazzi  following Lady GaGa but at least stopped biting. After about an hour the weather cleared and I decided to do what I came for. Kayaking.

Pennekamp has several snorkel and swimming beaches and hundreds of kayaks and canoes to rent but if you bring your own, there is a tiny little launch site over a wooden bridge at the end of the park. There is not much parking but there were only two other cars and a nice little sandy beach to launch from. There were plenty of people launching at the rental area and most looked like they have never kayaked before. I paddled right past them and into the mangroves.

The trails were very different from what I'm used to. They were wide, deep, crystal clear, and have quite a current as the tide heads either in or out. The fun part is the current runs through the mangroves and unlike a river, might pull you right into the trees. The paths are wide enough that you don't need any real skill but you do need to pay attention if you stop and try and take a picture. I spent about an hour in the mangroves and never saw another kayak until I was approaching the beginning of the trail. Looked like everyone else just wanted to bunch up on the beach.

To get the full enjoyment out of Pennekamp, you should really take the snorkel or glass bottom boat tours. Now that I've gotten my feet wet so to speak, I will look forward to doing that my next visit.

Kayaking Whiskey Creek - John U. Lloyd Park - Dania

As I mentioned earlier, this blog might lean heavily towards kayaking adventures since the purchase of my new Sea Eagle 370 kayak. Whiskey Creek is a little known route I never gave much thought to in the past. It's about a 2 1/4 mile, one way trip from the launch site at the North end of John U. Lloyd Park and extends South to the Dania Pier. Four and a half miles with a stop for lunch is a little over 3 hours for me and makes for a pretty good day. Kayaks can be rented at the park but if you bring your own, it's best to launch at the boat ramps. Once you clear the bridge, you are on the Whiskey Creek and past point where motorized boats can navigate.

It only takes a few minutes to launch the kayak so the boat ramp was not a problem. One minute I was staring at enormous cruise ships and the gantry cranes that load the container ships in Port Everglades. Three minutes later I was paddling down a lazy river with just the sounds of nature. On the East side were hundreds of beach goers but the Sea Grape trees and Mangroves block out everything including sights, sounds, and the smell of sun tan lotion. In just a hundred feet, I left the black water of the intracoastal waterway and into the crystal clear water of the river. Well, salt marsh really.  Fish were all around and in every size and shape. A Spotted Eagle Ray passed right under the kayak and there were even a pair of Horseshoe Crabs so close I could have dipped my hand into the water and touched them. I parked the Kayak in a little Mangrove cove to enjoy a drink and a snack. As I was relaxing, a Heron flew in and had his lunch too. This was the easiest and most pleasant kayak trip I have yet taken. Perfect for those that want to give kayaking a try.

A couple of things you should know about Whiskey Creek. It is directly in the flight path of the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood airport, a little disruptive to the peace and quiet that you will enjoy for most of the time you are paddling. You should also check the tides as some sections are about ankle deep at low tide. The nice thing is, if you manage to fall out of the boat, you can likely touch bottom even at high tide. If you don't find kayaking appealing, the main draw of Lloyd Park is the beach. A must see if soaking up the rays is more your thing. I like the longer, more challenging kayak adventures but few I have been on have as many fish and birds viewed so easily from the boat. This would the perfect trip to unplug your children for a while and introduce them to nature then follow up with a picnic in the sand and surf.

Low tide - Whiskey Creek - Dania

Test paddling my new Sea Eagle 370 Pro Kayak

After many years of wishing and research, I finally purchased a kayak. Since I live in a condo, and storage is  limited, an inflatable was the only option. I'm sure I could have found a way to turn an eleven foot hard plastic kayak into a coffee table when not using it for it's intended purpose but the elevator at the condo was just not large enough. I settled on the Sea Eagle 370 Pro package. It has everything needed except a personal flotation jacket and fits in a bag smaller than my large suitcase. The package comes with two seats, two paddles, and a foot pump.

The adventure started at West Lake Park, 8:00 am. We parked close to the dock, tossed the parts on the ground, and started the assembly process. The paddles come in  four small parts and snap together in seconds. The seats literally take 5-6 pumps and are rock solid. Now for the kayak itself. There are five separate air chambers and with the provided inflation gauge, a snap to inflate. This being our first time, it probably took us a little longer to get everything together but from the car to the water, including a restroom break and loading water and snacks..... 30 minutes. I am not kidding. We floated from the boat ramp at 8:30. A quick adjustment to the seats, some test paddling around the dock, a tiny bit more air to be sure, and we were on our way. I have kayaked in rented boats for years and I can tell you the Pro Package seats were the most comfortable I have ever used. They also move freely in the boat and cause you to sit a bit high. They took a little while to get used to but I was pretty much settled before we hit the open water. The paddles have a slight curve to scoop the water and propel the boat with little effort. Turning was simple and accurate and tracking was great. A must to negotiate the mangrove swamp that makes up a large portion of the park. The wind had a noticeable effect and a strong wind would probably be annoying in open water but close to the shore it was fine.

Our first day trial adventure lasted 4 hours. If the Florida sun had not started to take it's toll, it could have been 4 more. Bigger hat, more sun screen, and more water go on the checklist for next time. From the time we hit the ramp till we loaded the car, 10 minutes. It was ridiculous. The kayak just deflates and rolls up in minutes. The paddles snap apart, the seats deflate and fold up. We had to wait a bit while a couple of guys with the hard kayaks pulled out of the water. We drove away while they were still loading up.

Now for the cleanup. Since West Lake is brackish water, there was some slime and salt to deal with. We inflated the side chambers, a quick rinse and cloth cleaned the boat in a few minutes, then it was left upside down to drain and dry. The seats, paddles, and life jackets just needed a quick spray. An hour later it was a fast wipe with a dry cloth, deflate, roll up, and in the bag with the seats and paddles. How easy can this be right? We have four other locations to try out so there will likely be several more kayak posts on this blog. I also want to put in a word for Tuaq.com. Not only did they have a phenomenal price on the Sea Eagle, they had it to my house 5 days after I ordered it.

Sea Eagle 370 Pro - Tuaq.com