Nancy, Dave, and Linda on the Chassahowitzka River
Chassahowitzka River scene
Florida is experiencing unseasonably hot, humid weather and unlike Alabama, it hasn’t been cooling down at night. We were glad to be able to leave the van open to sleep. It took us awhile to get accustomed to the sounds of the forest. There were a couple of owls hooting back and forth to each other and the armadillo was active in the bush. Eventually our imaginations settled down and we were able to sleep.
Today, Dave and Linda very graciously hosted us to a spectacular tour of the River on their pontoon boat. The Chassahowitzka River is fed by fresh water springs that bubble up from the river bed. The river is shallow, with a limestone bottom and the water is crystal clear. Linda has a great eye for spotting wildlife along the shore. There were countless water birds including egrets and herons all along the shoreline. Linda pointed out a large turtle, sunning itself on a log as well as two alligators. One of the alligators was a good size, perhaps six or seven feet long. Dave and Linda said it was the biggest they’ve seen in a while. Bob sat on the edge of the boat to try to get a photo, but as we got close it jumped into the water and Bob missed getting the shot. It is amazing how quickly such a large animal can move.
The river meanders along through the forest past fishing cabins and then opens up into vast salt grass flats where the river goes into the Gulf. We stopped for lunch on Dog Island, which is in the middle of the flats. The community of Chassahowitzka has built a dock and boardwalk to a covered picnic area which is for public use.
On the way back we saw dolphins. We looked for manatee, which frequent the river. Although we saw the distinctive ripple that they make on the surface of the water, they were too deep for us to actually see them.
Dave took us to the local swimming hole down one of the many side branches of the river. The water was warm and clear. At that spot there are several openings in the limestone river bottom where the springs break through to the surface. Two of these are connected by an underwater cave that is big enough to swim through. Although we didn’t attempt that, there was a couple there who were swimming from one to the other. It was a beautiful spot.
Chassahowitzka is a small town with a big sense of community. On Tuesdays, the locals gather at the small hotel (Chassahowitzka River Lodge) across the street from Dave and Linda’s for a meal and fellowship. Dave and Linda invited us to join them this evening. We enjoyed meeting their neighbours and hearing the news and conversation. Afterwards, we sat around a campfire in Dave and Linda’s back yard.
Thanks Dave and Linda for showing us Chass!!
Today, Dave and Linda very graciously hosted us to a spectacular tour of the River on their pontoon boat. The Chassahowitzka River is fed by fresh water springs that bubble up from the river bed. The river is shallow, with a limestone bottom and the water is crystal clear. Linda has a great eye for spotting wildlife along the shore. There were countless water birds including egrets and herons all along the shoreline. Linda pointed out a large turtle, sunning itself on a log as well as two alligators. One of the alligators was a good size, perhaps six or seven feet long. Dave and Linda said it was the biggest they’ve seen in a while. Bob sat on the edge of the boat to try to get a photo, but as we got close it jumped into the water and Bob missed getting the shot. It is amazing how quickly such a large animal can move.
The river meanders along through the forest past fishing cabins and then opens up into vast salt grass flats where the river goes into the Gulf. We stopped for lunch on Dog Island, which is in the middle of the flats. The community of Chassahowitzka has built a dock and boardwalk to a covered picnic area which is for public use.
On the way back we saw dolphins. We looked for manatee, which frequent the river. Although we saw the distinctive ripple that they make on the surface of the water, they were too deep for us to actually see them.
Dave took us to the local swimming hole down one of the many side branches of the river. The water was warm and clear. At that spot there are several openings in the limestone river bottom where the springs break through to the surface. Two of these are connected by an underwater cave that is big enough to swim through. Although we didn’t attempt that, there was a couple there who were swimming from one to the other. It was a beautiful spot.
Chassahowitzka is a small town with a big sense of community. On Tuesdays, the locals gather at the small hotel (Chassahowitzka River Lodge) across the street from Dave and Linda’s for a meal and fellowship. Dave and Linda invited us to join them this evening. We enjoyed meeting their neighbours and hearing the news and conversation. Afterwards, we sat around a campfire in Dave and Linda’s back yard.
Thanks Dave and Linda for showing us Chass!!
Dog Island, Chassahowitzka River estuary
Gator, Chassahowitzka River
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