Had a Blast

[btanner]

We just got back Sunday from sowal, and wanted you guys to know that it did not let us down. We are expecting our first child and we wanted to go on one last trip for just the two of us. We had originally planned on going to Cozumel, but we could'nt get sowal out of our mind so we decided to scratch Cozumel. I am so glad we did, we had a blast. The food was excellent once again. We ate at the red bar for the first time and loved it. I tried surf fishing for the first time and caught 2 fish within the first half hour. This is funny because I did not catch another fish all week, but the first fish was a pompano which we ate for dinner. It was excellent! We also rented a kayak, drove up 79 to Vernon and put in at Holmes creek and paddled up to cypress springs. It was fantastic, definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Anyway just wanted to say thanks. It amazed me how friendly the locals are. I dont typically strike up conversations with complete strangers, but it happened everywhere we went, thanks for being so nice guys. Can't wait till the next time we return, with our little girl. I'm sure she will love as much as we do. Thanks
Ben

 

[TreeFrog]

Sounds like fun. Maybe I need to take a week off and have a vacation here.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I know of a couple of locals taking their vacation here this week. I'm still wondering why we haven't been invited to come over for sunset and cocktails at their beach vacation rental home. ???

btanner, I've never taken my canoe up to Vernon, but that sounds like funn. Tell us more about that trip. What was parking like, how strong was the current to paddle against, how long of a trip is it to the Springs and back, what is Cypress Springs like, etc?

 

[Franny]

I know of a couple of locals taking their vacation here this week. I'm still wondering why we haven't been invited to come over for sunset and cocktails at their beach vacation rental home. ???

btanner, I've never taken my canoe up to Vernon, but that sounds like funn. Tell us more about that trip. What was parking like, how strong was the current to paddle against, how long of a trip is it to the Springs and back, what is Cypress Springs like, etc?

And do you have any pics???

 

[sunspotbaby]

What a great time! Sounds like you two had funn! In a couple of years, you'll be aching for some time like that...trust me.
Congrats on the new baby girl !

 

[CPort]

we want pictures!

 

[ThirtyAGal]

from a fellow Knoxvillian. Hubby and I have been loving SoWal for 12 years now. Glad you found it too.

 

[btanner]

Hey guys,
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but anyway the trip up to cypress is well worth it. I think it probably took us close to an hour from seacrest. Once you get on 79 it is about 40 miles to 277. You go right on 277 for a couple miles and you will see a tiny sign that says public boat ramp. Take a left there and stay on that road until you come to a small parking lot with some picnic tables and a boat ramp. The paddle to the spring is very easy and very enjoyable. The current is very slow moving. We rented a tandem ocean kayak from yellowfin and it was perfect. You paddle up stream for about 20 minutes or so and take the first left you come to. The water is already really clear in Holmes creek but when you get to this left you can see it starts to get even clearer. Once you take this left its not far at all to the springs, you just keep paddling until you get there. One thing that was so enjoyable was that we didnt see a soul on the creek, and the scenery is wonderful. Lots of huge cypress trees and wild flowers, its great. Evidently hershey bought all the land around the springs and drilled wells to bottle water. Supposedly you cant set foot on any land surrounding the springs, but there is a manmade beach that I parked our kayak on. I dont think you would get in trouble for this. When you get to the spring you will see where it gets a lot deeper and lot more blue in color. It is an amazing feeling to swim out over the top and look down. Its cold, but well worth it. Bring some goggles or a mask and you will have a blast. I am really surprised more people dont know about it around sowal. I asked several people while we were there and no one had ever heard of it. I guess that is kind of a good thing, because if you go you will like having the place to yourself. As far as pictures I will see about putting some on here, but I am not really sure how, plus our pictures really dont do it justice. Seriously. An underwater camera would be awesome. Mike Ferguson is the one who told me all about cypress and he put some pictures on here earlier of his trip. They are great. Hope this helps. Thanks, Ben

 

[jensieblue]

Is this Morrison Springs or Blue? I love the Florida Springs. Talk about the perfect change from a hot day on the beach. If you ever get far enough south check out Crystal River...You can snorkle or swim and the manatees are fantastic. I hope privitization of the Springs does not spell the death of the Springs. The spring outflow at Wakulla has been so diminished by taping into the spring for water, that the Wakulla River has backed up into the Spring to the point you can no longer see the spring from the surface....So sad...An indian dugout canoe lies at the bottom and is no longer visible from the surface....