Canoeing

We canoed on the Econfina Creek last year and it was nice but really lacked places to pull off and rest like sandbars. Never had canoed before but successfully canoed the whole 7 miles in 3 and a half hours and we did not tump over. I have to say this place really freaked us out because it looked like you were canoeing in the movie Deliverance. When we arrived back to the canoe place after being picked up the guy asked if we had encountered anyone swinging off of ropes into the water trying to tump us over. He explained they had to call police before because of that very thing. The rope swings up high really had us questioning things. When he said that that is all I needed to hear! We did not go off in any of the springs along the trip but I now wished we had. Wondering if anyone has canoed the Blackwater River near Pensacola? It seems more suited to our having access to ample big sandbars where we could pull off and picnic! Any other canoe rental site suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

We canoed on the Econfina Creek last year and it was nice but really lacked places to pull off and rest like sandbars. Never had canoed before but successfully canoed the whole 7 miles in 3 and a half hours and we did not tump over. I have to say this place really freaked us out because it looked like you were canoeing in the movie Deliverance. When we arrived back to the canoe place after being picked up the guy asked if we had encountered anyone swinging off of ropes into the water trying to tump us over. He explained they had to call police before because of that very thing. The rope swings up high really had us questioning things. When he said that that is all I needed to hear! We did not go off in any of the springs along the trip but I now wished we had. Wondering if anyone has canoed the Blackwater River near Pensacola? It seems more suited to our having access to ample big sandbars where we could pull off and picnic! Any other canoe rental site suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

in addition to joe's post, marlese is the recently past president of the emerald coast paddlers. their page here: http://www.geocities.com/ecpaddlers/index.htm

and joe, it includes infomation regarding eglin trips that are once a month.


jr

:blink: I know you guys might be tired of a nonresident being on the forum sight but it is how I find out where the best places are for doing the things we like to do like canoeing. This sight is nice and informative! Kurt, is the Blackwater perfect for the beginner like us? Seeing as we have only canoed once we are looking for the easiest to handle until we get good at it. That might be a while, hee hee! There are wonderful canoeing places here in Tennessee at Linden and Waverly, Tennessee near Nashville which is around 200 miles from here. You would have to make a weekend trip out of that one. It is just that they close down at the end of October for the winter.

:blink: I know you guys might be tired of a nonresident being on the forum sight but it is how I find out where the best places are for doing the things we like to do like canoeing. This sight is nice and informative! Kurt, is the Blackwater perfect for the beginner like us? Seeing as we have only canoed once we are looking for the easiest to handle until we get good at it. That might be a while, hee hee! There are wonderful canoeing places here in Tennessee at Linden and Waverly, Tennessee near Nashville which is around 200 miles from here. You would have to make a weekend trip out of that one. It is just that they close down at the end of October for the winter.

:blink: I know you guys might be tired of a nonresident being on the forum sight but it is how I find out where the best places are for doing the things we like to do like canoeing. This sight is nice and informative! Kurt, is the Blackwater perfect for the beginner like us? Seeing as we have only canoed once we are looking for the easiest to handle until we get good at it. That might be a while, hee hee! There are wonderful canoeing places here in Tennessee at Linden and Waverly, Tennessee near Nashville which is around 200 miles from here. You would have to make a weekend trip out of that one. It is just that they close down at the end of October for the winter.

I canoed the Blackwater when in my teens, about 25 years ago but do remember it as shallow with deep pockets along the way and plenty of sandbars for picnicing.

Santiago, glad to see you posting again. I know you got frustrated in the real estate forum (me too!!!) but so glad to see you contibuting again!!!! :clap_1:

We have wanted to go to the Blackwater- but it always seems to be too hot in July/ August to do anything but float in the lake like a bunch of hot hippos. Wonder if June would be better. Also, what is the biting bug situation on the creeks and rivers? And are the canoing places open in winter, like at Christmas?

Canoeing around here in July and August can get very hot, but that is when you jump in and swim with the alligators for a while. You will quickly forget all about the heat when your foot touches the bottom. :shock:

When my foot touches the bottom and hits what- a gator's tail??:creepy: :creepy:

Gypsea, my husband and I have not tried kayaking but there were two elderly ladies that came and pulled up on the sandbank after us and both were in individual kayaks. Looks fun, but this guy did not rent kayaks I do not think. Are kayaks easy to tump over. I might find myself taking a few swims. I too do not like the mushy bottom of a lake either. These people tried to persuade us into believing there were alligators in the Econfina Creek. We did see a huge Blue Heron I got several pictures of! It was beautiful!