Hey All, Just wanted to get this post in as soon as possible. Today on Saturday the 19th of September, Liquid Rhythm paddled the Braden River in Bradenton, Fla. This is a Great area to paddle not only for the really neat water and wildlife that you will soon be surrounded by; also for the simple fact that if you live in Pinellas County,Fla.(as we do) it is just south of the Skyway Bridge on State Road 70 and Braden River Road. The launch is at a place called Jiggs Landing located on Ward Lake. The access to the water is quick and easy at the boat ramp, and its FREE! This may change as the need for upkeep at the landing arises.
When we arrived it was 8:45 a.m. and the weather for the day was expected to be in the upper 80’s to low 90’s. We were greeted by the “Welcoming Committee” , a group of about 60-70 Black Vultures! There are warning signs to secure your vehicle and belongings as the vultures will take interest in these things!!
We awaited are other members of the paddle and gathered our gear. Soon we were in the water and paddling a beautiful blackwater Florida river. As we paddled the talk turned to the swirling breeze that seem to blow down the river just to keep us comfortable as if turned on at the headwaters of the river. May have been in the 80’s, but it sure felt much more comfortable! YES, Fall is coming to Florida! Only us true natives can smell & feel the change in the air. Sorry Transplant Paddlers.(ha,ha)
The group stopped at Linger Lodge, a really cool old Florida Restaurant. We did not eat there, although many people do. Jeff made a wonderful Salsa Chicken drizzled in a white Mexican sour cream sauce with rice and stewed tomatoes and salad and sweet cornbread. Topped off with Peach tea or A Corona Beer! We ate on a white sand beach along the river next to the restaurant, under a tree. Jeff AWESOME LUNCH! dude.
After lunch we paddled back the way we had come with the same breeze pushing us gently back to Ward Lake and Jiggs Landing. Along the way we saw an Alligator, many Turtles, Lesser Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, a rare Tri-Colored Heron, and many White Egrets. There was also splashing often; apparently made by some pretty large fish! We made the full trip in about 4 hours with lunch stop included.
What a FUN time we had on the water and we made a new friend: Rebeca – Thank You for the fun paddle and conversation. We hope to see you again soon! So there you have it! If you live in the Tampa Bay Tri-City Area and would like to go do a neat paddle thats fairly close yet makes you feel like you went far away, CHECK OUT Braden River!!!! Don’t tell me your too busy- GO GET WET!!
-SEA TURTLE Sean-
Liquid Rhythm Adventures' Journal 