Florida aquatic plant field trip

[plantbrain]

Just an update.

Things are looking good for the trip as I have talked to a number of folks that would rather see another spring full of weeds than fall asleep hearing another speaking presentation(Hey! Will someone wake up Dave Gomberg!:-)
This means less cost and hassle for me and more cool plant habitats for folks!

Also, I have a number of folks that have offered to carpool to the sites so it might be even cheaper than expected. Sites are within a 45 minute drive.

I have 4 hotels I'm looking at for a group rate along with the canoe trip pricing. I will try and reserve the shelters for these dates at the parks for the BBQ's.

I think friends bobbing down 3-4 rivers full O weeds and fish would be a blast. Folks can talk all day about plants and what they see.
No high tech CO2 injected systems here! Several mile long journey down some extremely massive planted tanks.

It'll be on Aug 1-2-3.
Friday: 8-9am general talk about not taking things from State parks and general habitat overview of Florida waters. Meet at UF Stadium. Car pool out to sites around 9 am.

Day 1)
Ichetucknee River tube/snorkel
clear hardwater spring
Afternoon BBQ

Day 2)
Rainbow River canoe/snorkel
Afternoon BBQ

Day 3)
Lower Suwannee Refuge-road side blackwater pools full of plants.Canoe down the Santa Fe. Catch fish.
Stop at driftwood/petrified wood shop(Tom's).

Wanna help out? Drivers/carpoolers/groups needed.
This is going to be a group effort. I'll supply some of the BBQ supplies and will make sure no one starves and needs to eat water lettuce for dinner but it's a potluck style affair. Each person will pitch in for some BBQ food.
Cost: hopefully around 30-40$ per room per night. BBQ and park admission(1-2$ per person)/tubes(about 10$ for the day)/canoe(15~$ or so per person/day) etc should run pretty cheap. BBQ cost should be about 4-5$ each day.

Several eateries are along the way and in town.

Plant swaps and talking about everything you see should be fun also.
he Keys, Marineland, Disney, Glades, Big Cypress swamp, all within a day's drive.
If you like plants and like going out into nature, this is for you.
Even if you don't like planted tanks, you'll still have a blast.
Bring sun screen and snorkel mask and breathing tube, you'll be bumming otherwise. A camera is also a very good idea. Water is 72F FYI.

I think anyone that has not seen these rivers will come away "changed" afterwards. It is something you will never forget and a prime example of submersed aquatic plants/macrophytes in nature.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[corvettekid82]

so YOU'RE the ones swimming in my back yard! ;) Sounds like an awesome trip you have planned. If I wasnt going to be back in college at that time, I'd commit to it right here and now. For anyone who hasn't experianced the eco system of FL, it is a beautiful thing and worth every penny.

[Javelin]

You'll LOVE Ichetucknee (don't forget some waterproof sunblock). I grew up in FL and tubed down it many times. I'm not sure where Rainbow River is. The one time I went swimming in the Suwannee in scouts, I don't really remember an plants. The tannen is so heavy, you can't see more than a few inches down. I have seen a few marsh-type areas around the banks of it though that are pretty much covered in plants (and probably snakes).

You should also check out Silver Springs. There is a boat launch down stream from the park/zoo so you don't have to take the glass bottom boats. Plenty of plants there too. One of the coolest parts there is if you follow the springs downstream, it meets up with a normal river. Where they join, there is a clearly defined line, one side crystal clear spring water, the other dark brown, tannen stained water.

Another place that might be interesting is the Rodman Dam. www.rodmanreservoir.com On the reservoir side there is TONS of driftwood, since this was once a Cypress dome that they flooded and killed everything. On the other is a slow flowing river with a lot of vegitation.

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
There are so many lakes, creeks and waterways here! Rodman Resv., Withlacoochee R. (favorite of mine!), St.Johns (parts of it..), Ichetucknee is also good..

These are some of the best freshwater "remote areas" one can get to... Very nice..

Wish I could go on the trip "PlantBrain" mentioned.. Timing is off, but I'm still down here...

And, yes, Silver Springs... Blue Springs,...
Lake Panasoffkee and Orange Lake... ..many to go see.. :)

[Tyler718]

With my work I can't plan that far ahead. Uncle Sam is always sending me on different trips. Some at the last minute. That's besides the point.

Just like Javelin, I grew up here in North Florida. Ichetucknee and Suwannee are beautiful places to see. I have taken the tube trips down the Ichetucknee and canoe trips down Suwannee. If someone hasn't done it, then it is well worth it.

Where exactly is the Rainbow River? I don't think I ever been there.

I marked this trip on my calendar. As time gets closer I'll have a better idea of my work schedule. I'll PM you if I'm able to do it. If the time frame changes or is cancelled for some reason, please PM so I can see what I can do.

Thanks,
Dave

[plantbrain]

Rainbow springs is west near Ocala. It's bigger than Ichetucknee and has a few different plants and some areas downstream outside the park where folks can nab a few sprigs of various plants.
Lots of Turtles like the Santa Fe.
Silver springs is good but more touristy. Rodman is good and depending on the group, we may opt for a side trip if there's enough interest.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[plantbrain]

The cost will run about 100$ or so for food, hotel and canoe, tube rentals.
That's pretty cheap.

I've been to Rodman Reservior but over on the north west arm in a few spots. I'll check out the dome and see if there's enough wood for folks to nab.
I did see a lot in some spots along the Suwanee. The level has dropped a lot in the last 2 months all over in the Suwanee water shed.

Regards,
Tom Barr