The Journey Daybook, Inc.

Several of us will be participating on our annual JDB Adventure at the Ichetucknee this Friday. Below are the instructions that Barbara sent to everyone a few weeks ago. Read and respond to Patty if you plan to go.

The planned adventure for August is our annual float trip down the Ichetucknee Springs River on Friday July 19th. If you have never done this trip before it is a peaceful, awe inspiring trip on tubes, small rubber boats or rafts that can last up to 3.5 hours. Click on the link below to learn more about this state park and the float trips and to get directions to the North Entrance of the park.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/default.cfm

If you are interested in canoeing or kayaking, the site states that the fee is also $5.00 and that you must yield right-of-way to tubers.

Arriving at the river early is important for two reasons: only a certain number of people are allowed on the river each day; and getting off the river by mid-day is good because there are often thunderstorms in the afternoon. We should plan to meet at the parking lot of the North Entrance to the park at 8:30 am with tubes already rented. The vehicles have to be moved to the South Entrance with only the driver allowed to ride the shuttle bus back to the North Entrance where we begin the float. It can take from 20 to 40 minutes for the drivers to drop cars off and catch the shuttle back. The rest of us can draw while waiting.

No food or drink is allowed on the river. To draw on the river I bring a small bag I can tie on my tube with a small amount of paper in a ziploc bag, pencil, pens, brush and a cheap watercolor set. If you drop something in the river do not plan on getting it back! You may also want to include sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Once we’re on the river, mosquitos don’t seem to be a problem but we’re likely to encounter some while we wait in the park for the drivers to return.

The cost is $5.00 per person to go on the float trip plus another $5 or so to rent a tube at one of the many places on the way to the park. Either bring a picnic lunch, which you will leave in the car, or have money to buy food from the concession stand at the South Entrance. We have a couple of options for when we eat lunch: we can eat along the way by getting off the river at the ramp at the South Entrance and then re-enter the river to float the rest of the way; or, we can float all the way down, ride the tram back up to the South Entrance and then eat lunch.

If it is raining in the morning, our back-up plan is to meet at the Harn at 11:00 am in the lobby. For current exhibits you may go to their site http://www.harn.ufl.edu/index.php. The Camellia Court Cafe is on site and offers a nice menu for lunch.

Please let me know if you plan to participate in this adventure or if you have any questions. I hope to see you on the river.

Patty

jett32625@yahoo.com Email
352 562 6472 CELL
352 543 5722 HOME