Collier Seminole SP

Space Coast Paddlers and Gulf Coast Backwater Paddlers join together for a fun filled weekend camping, biking paddling, hiking and just having fun in south Naples, FL. On Saturday, we will do an overall 7 mile paddle down a lazy meandering river, stopping half way amidst the mangroves to have lunch before continuing on. This will take about 4 hours. Expect to paddle under canopying trees and see many birds and other wild life.

On November 17,18 & 19, Representatives from Space Coast Paddlers and G.C.B.P. did a preliminary exploratory trip to this State Park. We inspected the campground, paddled up the river about 7 miles and saw many wild colorful birds and other wildlife. A camera is a must.

Sunday morning we will take an early trip to Corkscrew Swamp Cypress Park, the largest cypress park in Florida, for a 2 1/2 mile walk along a beautiful wooden boardwalk. This is on the way back and is just a little southeast of Ft Myers. Here you will see all sorts of birds, alligators, wild life, as well as breathtaking native Florida trees, plants and flowers. Much of the walk takes place through a maze of mangroves and natural swamp land. This is the edge of the everglades.

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Collier Seminole Weekend

Itinerary

Friday, March 23 - Most people will be arriving throughout the day so we will all get together at a common campsite that evening. We'll sit around the campfire and just get acquainted and share stories. And if we're lucky, we'll get Rick Follett of Space Coast Paddlers to play his guitar and get us all singing. Those that arrive earlier and have time can go biking or kayaking right from the park.

Sat, March 24 - Camping breakfast cooked by Diane and Rusty - pancakes, sausage, OJ and coffee will be served for those who are there. We'll have checked the tide chart and will launch off from the campsite dock according to the tide. Bring a lunch and plenty of water. We can't get out of the kayaks to have lunch because there really is no place to do so. But we can tie our boats together and have lunch together while en route. When we get back we will be able to take a time out and regroup. Sat. evening we'll all get together for a potluck dinner. Bring a dish to share. Can be either a side dish or dessert. We'll all have grills along for cooking our own meat, chicken or fish. After dinner, we'll all get together for the campfire gathering (hopefully we can have a campfire). Bring a candle in a jar just in case we can't.

Sunday, March 25 - We'll have breakfast in the morning and then head for Corkscrew Sanctuary. This is a wonderful hike through the swamp on a boardwalk. Good idea to bring bug repellent just in case and a backpack for water. The hike is around 2 1/2 miles long and really wonderful. You'll have plenty of opportunities to take beautiful pictures of wildlife and plants. For those leaving to go home, you can pack up, go on the hike and head for home.

I'm also getting in touch with some people in the Naples area for alternate paddling routes. Will let you know what I find out when we get together.

When it gets a little closer, I'll call the campground and ask about the campfires. If we can have them, we should all bring bundles of wood to burn. Looking forward to seeing all of you real soon.

Diane LaPell - Gulf Coast Backwater Paddlers and Space Coast Paddlers

Mark Bradley - Space Coast Paddlers

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Book Reservations through Reserveamerica.com

If you are joining us, make your reservations

then email Diane LaPell at dlapell@yahoo.com to let her know that you will be coming.

Remember, If you don't wish to camp out, you can always join us during the days.

Reserve sites A1 - 19 for tents and pop-up campers

< or >

sites B 20-29, D 69-73 for Motor Homes, Travel Trailers and 5th Wheels.

Link to the State Park : http://www.floridastateparks.org/collier-seminole/default.cfm

Rusty Batchelor

Webmaster

admin@GulfCoastBackwaterPaddlers.com

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