Alafai River, via Alafai River Canoe Rentals boat launch

Visited 06/18/11

When it comes to local rivers, my buddy Chet is a lot more experienced than I.   With an afternoon to kill, and the recent lack of rainfall, our options were fairly limited, so he called around and found that the Alafai was the only river with levels high enough to float on.    And even then, only the West (or lower) half of the river was manageable.  

Although I'm sure there are ways to go about launching on your own, and getting your crew and gear back, I strongly suggest you use the canoe rental launch and pay them to come pick you and your boats up.   At only $7.50 per boat, it's a steal compared to the fox/sheep/cabbage riddle that comes along with transporting your vehicles, people and boats back and forth between ports.  By the time you finish your run, you'll be thanking whatever god you pray to that you only have to make a phone call and wait for your ride.

The Alafai River Canoe Rental outpost is located in Valrico, FL.    The address is at the bottom of this post and Google Maps screenshots are below.   As I said, we could only do the West portion of the river, which is a 7.4 mile run from start to finish.    If you're in a hurry, you could probably do it in 3-4 hours.    We certainly weren't in any hurry.     Frankly, I'm not sure why anyone would be in a hurry, unless exercise is your primary goal.      It probably took us 6 hours.   Obviously, exercise is right near the bottom of our list of river rowing benefits, right there with sunburns and chafed nipples.    

When you turn down River Rd, look out for a handwritten sign on your left for the Canoe Rental launch.    It's easy to miss.    The outpost looks like this, once you get in:

There was an older lady on duty the day we came in for our trip, and she was the friendliest person you'd ever want to meet.     You'll check in back there by that white van (you can't miss the check-in) and pay your money for pick up.    Make sure you write down their phone number, and don't lose your phone(s) in the water, as that's your only way out.    Immediately next to the check-in is the boat launch.   

You can't miss the finishing boat ramp, as it's the only public ramp between the canoe outpost and the end, but here are some pics to help you out.    The purple line is (I believe) the path the van will take you and your gear back to your car(s). 

Now, with the important guidance information out of the way, I suppose I should talk a little bit about the river journey itself. 

The first half of the river was a little shallow.     We got stuck a couple times, but it was only a matter of pulling our boats a few feet to get through the few very shallow parts.   There were a couple groups of canoes on the river and I'm sure they had it much rougher than we did.   Along the way, you'll find several cool little places to stop and hang out.     We ran into this commercialized spring early on, when we heard the roar of a thousand people.    We docked and walked up a muddy bank to find this:

A surprising sight on such a calm little river.     Apparently, this natural spring helps feed the river.    I'd strongly recommend against this cesspool of human waste, though.     

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves because, frankly, I'm kind of tired of writing this blog.     I'll say this, though... this river sports some mighty fine ropeswings.

And a video...

We had a blast on this little trip and I'd strongly recommend it for anyone looking to kill a Saturday.  The 2nd half of the river was deep and, according to a couple we ran into along the way, contains some manatee.    We must have just missed them. 

PHONE NUMBER:  (813) 689-8645

ADDRESS:  4419 River Drive, Valrico, FL 33596

PRICE: $7.50 per boat

DIFFICULTY: 5/10

PRIVACY: 7/10

FISHING: we didn't do any

STAFF: 10/10

Canaveral National Seashore - Island #1 (Orange Island)

Visited 06/09/11-06/11/11

On our second trip to the Canaveral National Seashore (AKA "Kayampia"), my buddies and I decided to extend our stay from one night to two, giving us a full day with no packing or unpacking.     We also added a fifth member to the crew.    With an extra member and an extra day comes a serious need for extra gear, so we decided to bring my 16 foot canoe with trolling motor.     A word to the wise: A two day trip with nothing but kayaks = doable.      A three day trip with nothing but 'yaks = warm drinks.    If you're anything like us, your primary source of sustenance while camping is beer.    Coolers small enough to fit on a 'yak will not hold ice for 3 days.    You're gonna need a bigger boat. 

And so was born the pull-behind 'yak...

Because of the addition of the Canoe, we needed to choose a closer island, to be sure the battery was up to the challenge of pushing a boat full of gear, while also pulling a 'yak full of gear behind. 

We chose island number 1, as it was closest to the Ranger Station boat launch.    Again, follow the pink line.

Same as last time, we checked in with the man with the awesome beard, who asked us "You boys got yer biodegradable shitter paper"?      Then we checked in at the visitor center (I think that's what it's called) and went on down to the boat dock. 

This boat launch was much more calm than the one at Riverbreeze Park and we were able to get right in, with plenty of room to load up gear on the boats. 

From launch to land was probably about 30 minutes.  

Not to take anything away from this experience, but the island we came to was not what we expected.    Take a look at the map up there.   The first island we camped was #13.  It was only a very small fraction of the size of island #1, and was very spacious.    We expected the same paradise as last time, with 100 times more room.    Unfortunately, that's not what we found.    Our campsite was buried in mangroves and forest, with space comparable to your average run-of-the-mill campground site.     We didn't even have enough room to throw a frisbee.   We did, however, still have a beautiful beach and some pretty kick-ass trees to hang out in.  

And a turtle...

Compared to our last trip to the seashore, the fishing here was pretty incredible.   We didn't bring live shrimp, like I recommended in my last blog (we forgot to stop and get some), but we did bring a cast net, which was absolutely perfect for catching some good bait fish.    My buddy, Chet, caught 23 bait fish in one cast, which has to be some sort of record. 

However, I'd like to take a moment to contradict my last statement, while also confirming a statement from my previous CNS post.    In total, we caught 2 Ladyfish, 1 Trout and about a billion catfish.   The only one we ate was the Trout.   All of them were caught with the bait fish we captured with the net.    We did catch two live shrimp with the cast net, though.   When we baited those shrimp, they were almost immediately snatched violently by fish.      It's safe to say that live shrimp are the bait of choice out here.   I'll never come out here without them again.  

I have a question for you that 5 drunk brains couldn't answer.   How does a family of raccoons live on an island surrounded by saltwater?      If you can answer that, I'll give you one hell of a high five.     Anyway, here's a picture of some of the wildlife we encountered.   Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the scorpion that was on my buddy's tent.

P.S. - these billions of crab also work for bait.    We tried a few.  I got some serious bites, but couldn't seem to set the hook on any of them. 

Some night pics, for good measure....

And on your way out (or in), you may as well stop by the east coast and do some swimming.    It's literally 50 yards from where you launch.

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- PHONE NUMBER: 386-428-3385 (Just hit "0" until you get someone.   The extension on their website is wrong)- Website - http://www.nps.gov/cana/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm
- PRICE - $10/night (up to six people)
- DIFFICULTY - 2/10
- PRIVACY - 9/10
- FISHING - 7/10

- STAFF - 10/10