Wednesday, March 02, 2022, Adams Tract RC to Ivey Memorial Park, RM 76.0, 9 miles. And a side trip to Ichetucknee Springs State Park, about 4 miles.

Another cool morning, but this camp gets early sun and it's quickly warm. We have coffee at the deck overlooking the landing and make plans for a smoother operation loading the canoe. Today's technique works great--at 9:15 we're on the river with dry feet, dry gear, etc. We stop at more springs today, and are impressed with Troy Springs State Park, where a concrete ramp provides ADA access to a beautiful pool.

Troy Springs State Park:

We reach our Ivey Memorial Park take-out in Branford, FL, at 12:30, move gear and canoe to the Outback, and find a quick lunch stop. By getting off the Suwannee early, we have time to visit the Ichetucknee Springs State Park, about 15 miles away. The spring is the source of the Ichetucknee River. The river runs six miles to its confluence with the Santa Fe River; about 4 miles of the river is in the park. We put the canoe in at Dampier's Landing and paddle upstream about two miles to the park's north entrance landing (temporarily closed to rebuild the launch). The Ichetucknee's water is clear, warm, and beautiful. We don't see another canoe, but the river has lots of people floating downstream on tubes, in kayaks, and on SUPs. Everywhere we see Spider Lilies, Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Ibis, and Florida Cooters. If you're in the neighborhood, it's definitely worth a visit.

Northern Spider Lily:

Great Blue Heron: Great Egret: Florida Cooters: White Ibis (adult & immature); Anhinga in foreground: Great Blue Heron: