Econfina Creek
Saturday, November 5, 2005
by Gary Worob & Brint Adams
I just counted three times how many of us there were....13 came up three times, so I am sticking with that figure. I was too busy either chain sawing or being stupefied( the latter is getting easier with age)! There was no choice. This was the most intense, bizarre, powerful, dynamic, overwhelming and overpowering paddle I can remember. And then some!
Ask for perfect weather and just the right amount of people and a great trip leader and you get and then some. Ask for just enough trip to say....that's enough and you get it. Ask for the most amazing scenery and incredible paddling and you get it. And finally, ask for the right amount of fallen trees to cut, climb over, under and around and you certainly got it.
Just imagine paddling through a mile long tunnel with a canopy of blue sky, as the roof and walls covered in moss, limestone and river banks that jutted out and were worn smooth enough so you enjoyed playing bumper cars off the rounded edges. Imagine flying down chutes of whitewater and careening into canyons with no visible ending and no desire to ever have it end, you get it all in one big program: the upper section of Econfina Creek from Scott's bridge to Walshingham bridge.
We had two different gps readings. One said 9 miles and one of eleven miles and we were prewarned by our great guide and trip leader, Sheila Small, that we might not finish unitl dark. Think about the logistics of going 9-11 miles in a full day when it normally should only be 4 hours or so. There are no logisitics when you realize what you are up against on the greatest trip of your life. You literally beg for it to be over after log jam upon log jam, but you don't want the chutes and canyons and rapids to ever end.
Every once in a while you get to be totally by yourself, even if you are not paddling solo, to be mesmerized and captured in the emerald fores and the gateway to heaven or hell. No exaggeration on this phenomenon. It is truly an amazing experience to do once and do it right up to your limits. You will test your limits on this one, both physical and visual and spiritual.
I thought of a proposition for all canoe and kayak clubs that ever thought about or will think about doing this trip. We should all combine financial forces and "PAY SOME GROUP OF BURLY CHAIN SAW FANATICS'' to go once a year at a predesignated time to clear the whole canoe trail to the livery. This would then be the greatest paddle. It would be about 15 miles of the most powerful trip there is. The only other thought I have is for one club to reserve the Blue Spring Campground we stay at and invite chainsaw wielding paddlers to a weekend of glorious torture. This travail is not for the inexperienced paddler or lumberjack, trust me.
Don't call me for a while to go back and do it again. I will be nursing very sore chainsaw arms for a while and thinking about those glorious chutes and rapids and amazing tunnels and the aqua bluegreen tourmaline waterways of the wonderful Econfina. But next time, I want to have a camera strapped to the bow of my boat, taking movies of flying down those canyons and careening against walls and the visuals that were so amazing. Next time, I would advise a "sit-upon kayak."
by Gary
A beautiful fall weekend was in store for Roland and I, as we drove from Daphne, AL to just north of Panama City, FL early Saturday morning. A group of eleven other paddlers with various kayaks and canoes had already left to set up the shuttle vehicles and shove off while we were about an hour away. We drove straight to the put-in at Scott's bridge in an attempt to catch up with the gang.
On the way along Hwy 20, we came across various aid stations for the 112 mile bike segment of the Panama City Ironman Triathlon, which was underway. As we turned north on Hwy 231 towards Scott's bridge, we came across the frontrunning cyclistswhich was pretty exciting.
We found the water level of Econfina Creek to be pretty low, so we were glad to have our plastic boats for what we figured was going to be a shallow ride with the possibility of a few portages. Little did we know what we were about to find. At least for the first three miles, the creek was fairly clear of debris and blockages, thanks to Gary leading the first group with a chainsaw. We saw some of his handiwork and figured sooner or later we might catch up to the group.
It didn't take long until we heard the chainsaw and caught up to the gang. It turned out they started out about 20 minutes ahead of us. After paddling together for another mile, we stopped for lunch after paddling for two hours and almost four miles. Along the way, we passed through numerous narrow passages through high rock walls, with a fairly quick drop and a few minor rapids. For this far south, it was the most I have seen and was alot of fun and quite strikingly beautiful.
After lunch, we all took off together, but it didn't take long before we were stopped by the first of many treefalls blocking our passage. Gary dutifully led us through several blockages after efficiently cutting his way through with his chainsaw. But, it turned out there were just too many and Gary eventually ran out of gas, both for his saw and his body.
So, we were on our own to get over, under or around the numerous trees across our path. Towards the end, over probably the last three miles, a few of us took up the challenge to compete in an impromptu adventure creek race, to see who couldmake their way over all of the blockages and paddle the quickest to our eventual takeout at the Walsingham bridge at the boat ramp and picnic area. I especially had a contest to see if I could compete with a canoe creek specialist. It was a spirited race, which I eventually won, claiming bragging rights for kayakers over canoers.
Overall, Roland and I paddled for about five hours over the 11.2 mile course. Obviously, all of the tight turns, low water, narrow channels and fallen trees blocking our way slowed us down, but the paddle course was fantastic and one we plan to do again when the water level is a little higher.
Following vehicle retrieval, most of us retreated to the Blue Springs campground for a great potluck dinner, a campfire and well deserved rest. We scared away all of the owls that night with our extended playing of African drums and Aussie didjeridus. It was a good time for all.
by Brint
Showing posts with label Econfina Creek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Econfina Creek. Show all posts
Monday, March 07, 2005
Econfina Creek
Saturday, February 26, 2005
brint.adams@us.army.mil
Linda and I left Spanish Fort Friday afternoon and drove east on I-10 into Florida to exit 85. We turned south on Hwy. 331, traveled 13.8 miles to Freeport and turned east on Hwy. 20. After passing through Bruce (Hwy. 81), Ebro (Hwy. 79) and past Crystal Lake (Hwy.77), we continued east on Hwy. 20 for several miles until we crossed Econfina Creek. As we continued up the next hill, the next crossroads was Blue Springs Rd to the right and Padgett Drive to the left. Another mile further, Blue Springs Rd also turns to the left (north), which we took and carefully made our way for 1.5 miles on the loose sandy surface. We came to two gates on the left, letting us into the Blue Springs campground.
This is a beautiful site capable of handling 25 campers. After a 2.5 hour drive, we arrived near dusk, and set up our tent. We found Gary, Tom, Tony, Fritz & Paula and others already set up with Bob, Carl, Charlene and Wendy and Billy to arrive later that night. We had a nice campfire, clear sky, and song with Tony's guitar accompaniment, to close out a beautiful evening.
In the morning, after a nice bike ride exploring the dirt roads in the area, we all left for our put-in on the southwest side of the bridge over Econfina Creek. We started out heading upstream against a moderate current, passing the pontoon landing on the north side of the bridge and Pitts Springs along the west bank. We continued upstream and took the next left turn into a beautiful spring tributary. The water immediately cleared up to a beautiful blue or aqua color with white sand bottom covered with bits of sparkly shell. There were dozens of large 6" tadpoles sitting on the bottom or swimming around, as well as numerous small fish. We found our way to the end of the spring, where we circled a small island like riding a carousel.
Upon exiting the spring, continued north for another 0.5 miles, and took the next left up into Williford Springs. We stopped here for lunch, while several adventurous paddlers donned fins and snorkles, to dive down to the cave entrance about 13' below the surface, where the crystal clear spring water was bubbling from.
Our trip back downstream was, of course, considerably quicker, so we continued past our put-in, to visit two more springs about 0.5 miles downstream below the bridge. One of the springs had a large PVC pipe pumping water directly out of the bubbling source, which we were told is the source for Coca Cola's Aquafina bottled water.
After taking out of Econfina, we drove back to the campground, where Linda and I put in for a short paddle around Blue Springs and out to the entrance to Econfina Creek. This is another beautiful springs area teaming with fish, water birds and plantlife.
Late in the afternoon, Gary, Tom, Billy and others set up a sweat lodge, which later would accomodate eight participants. We went out and collected more firewood, cut it up and stoked the fire to begin heating the flat, round river slicks Tom brought to heat up the sweat lodge. When all was ready, eight of us entered, while we had a designated rock provider on the outside, start to hand in the red-hot rocks on the end of spade. It did not take long, and we soon were all well heated up and drinking from our water bottles. All of a sudden, Tom broke the silence with a scream that shook the trees, echoed around the springs and made several people jump right off their towels. He continued with a spirited Indian chant that added to the eeriness of the experience.
After about 20 minutes, we all filed out of the lodge and proceeded to jump into the spring to complete the sweat lodge experience. We then joined the others around the campfire for a great feast and continued festivities into the night. Carl and Tom brought several beautiful drums, which were enthusiastically beat and pounded for hours, while others shook rattles and I took a long turn blowing on a 3' long wooden digeridoo, making sounds like a wild female water buffalo in heat. We had a great time, and while the crowd around the fire dwindled down to only a few, we finally all went off to our tents, leaving Tom snoring by the fire.
In the morning, we awoke to light rain, which appeared to be socked in for several hours. Linda and I decided to break camp and not try to wait it out. He headed out by 8:00 AM, on our way back to Spanish Fort. Along the way, we took a little detour to see the Seven Runs area, we had planned to paddle that day. Even in the rain, it was a beautiful, flooded Cypress forest, where we almost decided to put in and explore for awhile. But, clearer heads prevailed, so we continued back home after a very enjoyable weekend of paddling, camping and cameraderie.
ECONFINA CREEK/HOT ROCKS/ HOT LICKS
by Gary Worob
When do one and one make more than two? When you combine the unlimited talents of Brint and Linda, into the dynamic duo of entertainment. Certainly the kumbaya king and queen of our camping trip on Econfina.
The neighborhood was rocking Saturday night in more ways than one. Tom got "hot rocks" going for the great sweat lodge, that he brought and we filled it full of sweaty bodies, song and chants to start the festivities off to a rolling boil. It was an easy dash to the springs to rinse off and be "renewed" for the great feast that followed.
Hard to believe that such great foods could appear in the middle of the woods and harder to believe that anything was left, it was so good. But what followed was an amazing rockfest, started by Carl and progressed to the "Rockette" version of the Lind-Y., courtesy of our own favorite belle de la nuite-Linda. She was creating some of the most innovative sounds and limericks I ever heard.
No sense in talking about the body count, cause no one even dared, but two were huddled by the campfire, for part of the night and more will try to figure out how they made it to their campsites or vans....I, for one, can't remember and I, for sure, never touched a drop. I swear to it!
As for the paddle, it was just as wonderful as any could be, with 16 of us exploring the beautiful springs and some of us donning snorkeling gear and diving to the cave in Williford Spring. Blue Springs Campground is part of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, and they do a wonderful job of keeping a great campsite, right on a series of beautiful pristine springs. We also discovered a series of sink holes in the woods and speculated about the creation of the area, and the changes that time was making in front of us.
The actual paddle was barely 4 miles, if that; but the visuals at Econfina Creek are always wonderful and the chance to dive into a beautiful and powerful spring is worth the drive. I always have to use a big rock to be able to go down to the entry of a 175' lateral underwater cave.
I had another unexpected venture, when Bob Andrews and I started out in little canoes, about an hour before sweat lodge time, through the Blue Springs and out into the Econfina Creek. I was unable to navigate the creek a couple years ago, due to excessive downed big trees. Bob asked if I wanted to try to go the 4-5 miles and have him pick me up. No hesitation and soon I had one of the best slalom paddling courses I ever experienced. It was just me and the many deer along the banks, ducks that took off when I got near, and I raced the course as if it were a real slalom race. It was great fun and I planned to have most everyone do it early in the morning before the next paddle at Seven Runs Creek, but the heavy rains came and we all packed up and went our ways.
We ran into George and Mackenzie on the way home and Bob and George paddled Seven Runs Creek into the great cypress forest. I went home after two weeks on the road having camped along and explored many rivers along the way in Florida. I swam with the manatees, dove with the cormorants, tickled an alligator and saw the amazing sights of some of the great rivers and springs in Florida, and was anxious to be back in Fairhope and rest up for the next great adventure.
The diversity in this club is apparent and the harmony is sublime.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
brint.adams@us.army.mil
Linda and I left Spanish Fort Friday afternoon and drove east on I-10 into Florida to exit 85. We turned south on Hwy. 331, traveled 13.8 miles to Freeport and turned east on Hwy. 20. After passing through Bruce (Hwy. 81), Ebro (Hwy. 79) and past Crystal Lake (Hwy.77), we continued east on Hwy. 20 for several miles until we crossed Econfina Creek. As we continued up the next hill, the next crossroads was Blue Springs Rd to the right and Padgett Drive to the left. Another mile further, Blue Springs Rd also turns to the left (north), which we took and carefully made our way for 1.5 miles on the loose sandy surface. We came to two gates on the left, letting us into the Blue Springs campground.
This is a beautiful site capable of handling 25 campers. After a 2.5 hour drive, we arrived near dusk, and set up our tent. We found Gary, Tom, Tony, Fritz & Paula and others already set up with Bob, Carl, Charlene and Wendy and Billy to arrive later that night. We had a nice campfire, clear sky, and song with Tony's guitar accompaniment, to close out a beautiful evening.
In the morning, after a nice bike ride exploring the dirt roads in the area, we all left for our put-in on the southwest side of the bridge over Econfina Creek. We started out heading upstream against a moderate current, passing the pontoon landing on the north side of the bridge and Pitts Springs along the west bank. We continued upstream and took the next left turn into a beautiful spring tributary. The water immediately cleared up to a beautiful blue or aqua color with white sand bottom covered with bits of sparkly shell. There were dozens of large 6" tadpoles sitting on the bottom or swimming around, as well as numerous small fish. We found our way to the end of the spring, where we circled a small island like riding a carousel.
Upon exiting the spring, continued north for another 0.5 miles, and took the next left up into Williford Springs. We stopped here for lunch, while several adventurous paddlers donned fins and snorkles, to dive down to the cave entrance about 13' below the surface, where the crystal clear spring water was bubbling from.
Our trip back downstream was, of course, considerably quicker, so we continued past our put-in, to visit two more springs about 0.5 miles downstream below the bridge. One of the springs had a large PVC pipe pumping water directly out of the bubbling source, which we were told is the source for Coca Cola's Aquafina bottled water.
After taking out of Econfina, we drove back to the campground, where Linda and I put in for a short paddle around Blue Springs and out to the entrance to Econfina Creek. This is another beautiful springs area teaming with fish, water birds and plantlife.
Late in the afternoon, Gary, Tom, Billy and others set up a sweat lodge, which later would accomodate eight participants. We went out and collected more firewood, cut it up and stoked the fire to begin heating the flat, round river slicks Tom brought to heat up the sweat lodge. When all was ready, eight of us entered, while we had a designated rock provider on the outside, start to hand in the red-hot rocks on the end of spade. It did not take long, and we soon were all well heated up and drinking from our water bottles. All of a sudden, Tom broke the silence with a scream that shook the trees, echoed around the springs and made several people jump right off their towels. He continued with a spirited Indian chant that added to the eeriness of the experience.
After about 20 minutes, we all filed out of the lodge and proceeded to jump into the spring to complete the sweat lodge experience. We then joined the others around the campfire for a great feast and continued festivities into the night. Carl and Tom brought several beautiful drums, which were enthusiastically beat and pounded for hours, while others shook rattles and I took a long turn blowing on a 3' long wooden digeridoo, making sounds like a wild female water buffalo in heat. We had a great time, and while the crowd around the fire dwindled down to only a few, we finally all went off to our tents, leaving Tom snoring by the fire.
In the morning, we awoke to light rain, which appeared to be socked in for several hours. Linda and I decided to break camp and not try to wait it out. He headed out by 8:00 AM, on our way back to Spanish Fort. Along the way, we took a little detour to see the Seven Runs area, we had planned to paddle that day. Even in the rain, it was a beautiful, flooded Cypress forest, where we almost decided to put in and explore for awhile. But, clearer heads prevailed, so we continued back home after a very enjoyable weekend of paddling, camping and cameraderie.
ECONFINA CREEK/HOT ROCKS/ HOT LICKS
by Gary Worob
When do one and one make more than two? When you combine the unlimited talents of Brint and Linda, into the dynamic duo of entertainment. Certainly the kumbaya king and queen of our camping trip on Econfina.
The neighborhood was rocking Saturday night in more ways than one. Tom got "hot rocks" going for the great sweat lodge, that he brought and we filled it full of sweaty bodies, song and chants to start the festivities off to a rolling boil. It was an easy dash to the springs to rinse off and be "renewed" for the great feast that followed.
Hard to believe that such great foods could appear in the middle of the woods and harder to believe that anything was left, it was so good. But what followed was an amazing rockfest, started by Carl and progressed to the "Rockette" version of the Lind-Y., courtesy of our own favorite belle de la nuite-Linda. She was creating some of the most innovative sounds and limericks I ever heard.
No sense in talking about the body count, cause no one even dared, but two were huddled by the campfire, for part of the night and more will try to figure out how they made it to their campsites or vans....I, for one, can't remember and I, for sure, never touched a drop. I swear to it!
As for the paddle, it was just as wonderful as any could be, with 16 of us exploring the beautiful springs and some of us donning snorkeling gear and diving to the cave in Williford Spring. Blue Springs Campground is part of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, and they do a wonderful job of keeping a great campsite, right on a series of beautiful pristine springs. We also discovered a series of sink holes in the woods and speculated about the creation of the area, and the changes that time was making in front of us.
The actual paddle was barely 4 miles, if that; but the visuals at Econfina Creek are always wonderful and the chance to dive into a beautiful and powerful spring is worth the drive. I always have to use a big rock to be able to go down to the entry of a 175' lateral underwater cave.
I had another unexpected venture, when Bob Andrews and I started out in little canoes, about an hour before sweat lodge time, through the Blue Springs and out into the Econfina Creek. I was unable to navigate the creek a couple years ago, due to excessive downed big trees. Bob asked if I wanted to try to go the 4-5 miles and have him pick me up. No hesitation and soon I had one of the best slalom paddling courses I ever experienced. It was just me and the many deer along the banks, ducks that took off when I got near, and I raced the course as if it were a real slalom race. It was great fun and I planned to have most everyone do it early in the morning before the next paddle at Seven Runs Creek, but the heavy rains came and we all packed up and went our ways.
We ran into George and Mackenzie on the way home and Bob and George paddled Seven Runs Creek into the great cypress forest. I went home after two weeks on the road having camped along and explored many rivers along the way in Florida. I swam with the manatees, dove with the cormorants, tickled an alligator and saw the amazing sights of some of the great rivers and springs in Florida, and was anxious to be back in Fairhope and rest up for the next great adventure.
The diversity in this club is apparent and the harmony is sublime.
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