Memorial Day Trip A Big Party!

Ellaville, FL--The Fellow Travelers occasionally whip up a trip on short notice, and that was done for Memorial Day, 2005. The weather had been springtime beautiful, and the canoes had been dry rotting for too long. So it was decided to canoe a simple stretch of the Suwannee. The original plan was to canoe from Dowling Park to Royal Spring, but the Yana Blue Spring Park was closed for its renovation into a Florida state park. So the alternate plan of putting in at the Spirit of the Suwannnee campground, camping at Gibson Park, and taking out at Suwaannee River State Park was chosen.

Nineteen enthusiasts gathered on time at the boat ramp. Since John Chauncey was not going to paddle, there was no need for a morning shuttle. Despite some predictions for rain, the weather was superb on Saturday morning and remained so for the entire trip. There were four rookies--Danny Osborne, Steven Osborne, Tamara Benton, and Terrie Sheffield. Danny is a friend of Glenn Tankersley and Charlie Stines, and he and Glenn drove down together from Virginia to make the trip. They went by Jacksonville to pick up Steven, Danny's son who is a Navy Lieutenant and an Annapolis graduate. Tamara is a member of the dark side (Public Defender's office) in Bainbridge and had never sat in a canoe prior to the trip. Tamara had a rough night before making the trip as she found a bat over her bed in her Bainbridge mansion.

Mike, Haley, and Blakelyn Spiers took a canoe and left the border collie, Truett, with John Chauncey. Hamp Chauncey paddled his mother, Karen. Greg Baker initiated Tamara. The Osbornes teamed up as family. Joey and Terrie paddled another canoe. Donald and Gloria May partnered, as is their lot in life. Diane, Charlie, and Glenn rode threesome. The partners changed on Sunday as Greg and the Mays left, leaving Tamara to paddle with Glenn, and Haley and Mike swapped Blakelyn for the border collie.

The Suwannee below Suwannee Springs is a favorite of canoeists. The river has not become deep and wide enough to be plagued by large power boats. The tall cypresses and the hardwoods reflect into the dark tannic waters, and the sound of the water dripping in the cavities in the limestone banks is soothing. The sky was truly blue, and the clouds were the fluffy cumulus ones which conjure up childhood memories. Although the river was higher than normal, there were still lots of white sandbars. The paddlers stopped several times for some rest and river play. The water temperature was just right! Blakelyn was the only child along, but she was delightful company.

The entourage reached the landing at the Florida Sheriffs' Boys Ranch about noon. John and the border collie were awaiting the arrival. After a leisurely lunch and some play time, the boats again headed downstream. Paddlers see fewer ani