Florida B.S. Thread

Spent a great day on the Weeki Watchee river today canoeing with my two boys. This river is one of the reasons we live in Florida, if you've never been its only about an hour north of Tampa. Located at the Weeki Watchee state park, you may rent canoes or kayaks for a very reasonable rate. The 5.5 mile trip usually takes about 3 hours depending on how many times you stop to swim or if you stop for lunch. Crystal clear water for the first 4.5 miles and then it gets a little tannic toward the end.

For paddling this is one of my favorite spots. Sorry no pictures, wrangling a 3 and 6 year old prevented any photography.


GH

 

IIRC, Ocala National Forest has a nice little run as well. Starts at the spring and they used to have a ferry service at the end to take you and your canoe back to the park.

The Hillsborough River used to be pretty nice from SR 39 down to the State Park or the little park on Morris Bridge Rd. It's pretty clear as well until you get down past Crystal Springs. There's even a few small rapids to shoot through so it's a little more technical than just paddling along. Nothing too serious though.

Good times...

 

rip picnic table

 

I am an aircrewman on P3s about to do the transition to P8s. Been doing this for 8 years now and i couldnt imagine doing anything else. It really is a nice life never have to be on a boat and the money is ridiculous.

 

That table had a wife and kids, then some guy comes and takes it all away....

 

One of my favorites is the rainbow river in dunnellon. All natural spring, water clearer than the Bahamas. Water stays a constant 77 degrees all year round.

If you stop at any of the little swimming holes you can snorkel and see the most colorful bass in the area. Not to mention all the little crawfish. Definitely a good one if anyone is interested.

 

Who lays down on the ground in a forest covered in green paint? He had it coming.

 

X2
I grew up with family on this river and know it like back of my hand

Currently a family member owns a private spring at the head , called "gissy" springs
It's our little slice of heaven on earth

Rainbow river is beautiful, but it's nothing like it was 20 years ago

You can tube/canoe/kayak this river ... Putting in at the "KP hole" and they will pick you up at the bottom ... boat ramp at KP hole also

 

Heh, I vaguely remember my grandparents taking all us grandkids camping there where I was knee high to a grasshopper. I remember it being fun, but not much else. Too many moons ago.

 

Colin how do you like your all pro? I think that's the one I'm leaning towards.

 

Gissy springs is a completely private spring, not open to public ... My family founded it 10 years ago ..before then it was lost to the swamps surrounding the head spring for the rainbow
Now it's been dredged out and millions spent in decking and such

http://us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com/r/_...88074/**https://www.facebook.com/gissysprings

Your probly thinking of the state owned campgrounds

 

I have the AP rear and sliders ... Love them .. They are beefy and offer alot of clearance
Especially like the integrated tow hitch

 

I've been very happy with it. it's saved my ass a number of times, one of which, Thomas got to experience

Two things to consider. 1) i have the first generation of their front bumper. they have since replaced that with a second generation, as well as releasing the apex bumper, which is pretty much a fully welded version with a couple of aesthetic tweaks.

2) I have altered mine, in the form of reinforcement. my winch plate and vehicle mounting points have both been reinforced. I highly recommend doing so to yours if you have the chance. i'd actually say that's a good idea for any bumper.

My wings have taken some hard hits, and been used as pivot/deflection points a number of times, and i should probably reinforce those, but haven't gotten around to it.

but anyways, despite the trashing they continuously receive on here, they make a great bumper. I'd get it in raw form (no powdercoat), make any tweaks you want, and then bedline it yourself.

 

Do they have kick outs on the sliders?

 

Gissy springs looks fantastic! Pretty amazing find considering most springs and rivers like this in Florida are state owned. Who knew this gem was hiding in the swamp. You're very lucky to have access to such a beautiful piece of Florida.

I went to Rainbow river several times as a kid, I remember a waterfall in the woods up by the head waters. I think it was on the north bank, but exactly where is pretty unclear, 20 years has clouded the memory. We SCUBA dived there a few times too, not sure if they allow that anymore.

GH

 

Yeah I like the modular one better than the apex. 750 bare and 89 bucks for hoop ain't bad.

 

they do. they also offer the fill plates, which are pretty cool. far as i know thomas likes his.

 

I am still wondering why we haven't had a meet here yet lol

 

"Three day packages begin at $25,000 for up to 50 guests".

 

i'm sure our large meets (25-30) trucks have had around 50 people.

with a full 50, that's only $500/person, @ 166 a night. cheaper than a lot of hotels. I'd pay a grand and bring my girlfriend for sure. just 48 more to go now