either "Crooked River" or "Little Big Water". Both terms are accurate descriptions of this river. The Withlacoochee is crooked, and it alternates between narrow banks and larger lakes.Yesterday afternoon we put in for a short paddle on the Withlacoochee River. We put in on Silver Lake, about 100 yards from our campsite, and paddled south on the lake and upstream into the river. There was little perceptible flow, and we paddled about two miles to the Crooked River campground, where we made a u-turn and returned to camp. It was very pleasant warm-up paddle for our first paddle on this trip.
Today we put in at the same place on Silver Lake but paddled north and downstream about 9 miles to the town of Nobleton. The water was very low in places, but we made it down OK. Wildlife sightings included birds: a red-shouldered hawk, limpkins,
white herons, anhingas, and ibises; and reptiles: many turtles and a half-dozen small alligators all on the same log. These were Matilda's first gators, but she didn't even notice them. We lunched at Hog Island, a forest service recreation area about half-way down the run. Matilda only went swimming once. She was perched precariously with her front paws on the gunwales when we bumped a log in the water, and in she went: kerplunk. She was quickly retrieved from the drink before the gators had their chance at her. Another perfect day on the river!
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