Canoeing

[Lady D]

We canoed on the Econfina Creek last year and it was nice but really lacked places to pull off and rest like sandbars. Never had canoed before but successfully canoed the whole 7 miles in 3 and a half hours and we did not tump over. I have to say this place really freaked us out because it looked like you were canoeing in the movie Deliverance. When we arrived back to the canoe place after being picked up the guy asked if we had encountered anyone swinging off of ropes into the water trying to tump us over. He explained they had to call police before because of that very thing. The rope swings up high really had us questioning things. When he said that that is all I needed to hear! We did not go off in any of the springs along the trip but I now wished we had. Wondering if anyone has canoed the Blackwater River near Pensacola? It seems more suited to our having access to ample big sandbars where we could pull off and picnic! Any other canoe rental site suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Smiling JOe]

We canoed on the Econfina Creek last year and it was nice but really lacked places to pull off and rest like sandbars. Never had canoed before but successfully canoed the whole 7 miles in 3 and a half hours and we did not tump over. I have to say this place really freaked us out because it looked like you were canoeing in the movie Deliverance. When we arrived back to the canoe place after being picked up the guy asked if we had encountered anyone swinging off of ropes into the water trying to tump us over. He explained they had to call police before because of that very thing. The rope swings up high really had us questioning things. When he said that that is all I needed to hear! We did not go off in any of the springs along the trip but I now wished we had. Wondering if anyone has canoed the Blackwater River near Pensacola? It seems more suited to our having access to ample big sandbars where we could pull off and picnic! Any other canoe rental site suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

My canoe sites are bookmarked on my other puter which I recently decomissioned. If you search the web you will find great sites on canoeing in Okaloosa and Walton County. Eglin Air Force Base has some of the best rivers to see by canoe (so I am told). I have not made it on any trips out of the local area for some time now. You may want to talk to Marlese (sp?) who owns the Kayak Experience located on the Harbour in Destin. She organizes a once a month kayak tour and canoes are welcome. She would be the best single source for this information to my knowledge. ;-) Tell her a neighbor says hello. ;-)

 

[Santiago]

We canoed on the Econfina Creek last year and it was nice but really lacked places to pull off and rest like sandbars. Never had canoed before but successfully canoed the whole 7 miles in 3 and a half hours and we did not tump over. I have to say this place really freaked us out because it looked like you were canoeing in the movie Deliverance. When we arrived back to the canoe place after being picked up the guy asked if we had encountered anyone swinging off of ropes into the water trying to tump us over. He explained they had to call police before because of that very thing. The rope swings up high really had us questioning things. When he said that that is all I needed to hear! We did not go off in any of the springs along the trip but I now wished we had. Wondering if anyone has canoed the Blackwater River near Pensacola? It seems more suited to our having access to ample big sandbars where we could pull off and picnic! Any other canoe rental site suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

I canoed the Blackwater when in my teens, about 25 years ago but do remember it as shallow with deep pockets along the way and plenty of sandbars for picnicing.

 

[John R]

in addition to joe's post, marlese is the recently past president of the emerald coast paddlers. their page here: http://www.geocities.com/ecpaddlers/index.htm

and joe, it includes infomation regarding eglin trips that are once a month.


jr

 

[Kurt]

The Blackwater is awesome. Plenty of white sandbars.

 

[Smiling JOe]

in addition to joe's post, marlese is the recently past president of the emerald coast paddlers. their page here: http://www.geocities.com/ecpaddlers/index.htm

and joe, it includes infomation regarding eglin trips that are once a month.


jr

Thanks John. That is what I was looking to relay. Marlese had the link on her old site, but with only a quick glance, I did not see it on her updated site.

 

[Lady D]

I know you guys might be tired of a nonresident being on the forum sight but it is how I find out where the best places are for doing the things we like to do like canoeing. This sight is nice and informative! Kurt, is the Blackwater perfect for the beginner like us? Seeing as we have only canoed once we are looking for the easiest to handle until we get good at it. That might be a while, hee hee! There are wonderful canoeing places here in Tennessee at Linden and Waverly, Tennessee near Nashville which is around 200 miles from here. You would have to make a weekend trip out of that one. It is just that they close down at the end of October for the winter.

 

[Kurt]

I know you guys might be tired of a nonresident being on the forum sight but it is how I find out where the best places are for doing the things we like to do like canoeing. This sight is nice and informative! Kurt, is the Blackwater perfect for the beginner like us? Seeing as we have only canoed once we are looking for the easiest to handle until we get good at it. That might be a while, hee hee! There are wonderful canoeing places here in Tennessee at Linden and Waverly, Tennessee near Nashville which is around 200 miles from here. You would have to make a weekend trip out of that one. It is just that they close down at the end of October for the winter.

This site is for everyone. The Blackwater is perfect for beginners. It is slow and beautiful.

 

[Miss Kitty]

I know you guys might be tired of a nonresident being on the forum sight but it is how I find out where the best places are for doing the things we like to do like canoeing. This sight is nice and informative! Kurt, is the Blackwater perfect for the beginner like us? Seeing as we have only canoed once we are looking for the easiest to handle until we get good at it. That might be a while, hee hee! There are wonderful canoeing places here in Tennessee at Linden and Waverly, Tennessee near Nashville which is around 200 miles from here. You would have to make a weekend trip out of that one. It is just that they close down at the end of October for the winter.

On No....this place is for residents only???? I have really screwed up!!!

 

[Jdarg]

We have wanted to go to the Blackwater- but it always seems to be too hot in July/ August to do anything but float in the lake like a bunch of hot hippos. Wonder if June would be better. Also, what is the biting bug situation on the creeks and rivers? And are the canoing places open in winter, like at Christmas?