Florida's Hidden Gem! Kayaking Through Shingle Creek's Cypress Forest.
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- Опубликовано: 21 сен 2024
- All I can say is WOW! Although it was a cool, rainy, overcast day in March, this end-of-winter paddle through Florida's Shingle Creek was spectacular. This was my first time kayaking in the winter, in Florida, and first time paddling through a forest,... a Cypress forest nonetheless.
(Video Note: Unfortunately my GoPro failed to record a good portion of this trip and I had to edit part of the beginning and ending scenes out. Technology doesn't always cooperate.)
Shingle Creek runs from Orange County south through Kissimmee and flows into the Kissimmee River system, eventually draining into south Florida's Everglades. This waterway, it's surrounding lands and wildlife that call it home is a protected conservation area and considered to be the northernmost headwaters of the Everglades.
I booked a guided tour with the Paddling Center, located on Shingle Creek in Kissimmee. Initially I requested the Adventure Tour which is 2.5 hours and takes your further into the Cypress forest. However, there were no groups available for the day I could go, so I opted for the 2 hour Eco-Adventure tour. It was a cool day (even for a Canadian in Florida) with rain showers in the morning. Our tour guide, Josh wanted to make up for the less than ideal weather and pretty much took us on the extended Adventure Tour which all of us paddlers were more than willing to accept. Luckily, the rains stopped just when we were about to launch. Due to the cool day, and lack of sunlight, the gators that I was hoping to see kept to themselves in the warmer depths of the river. Josh knew where they hung out but we were only able to catch a glimpse of a 1 year old, a few feet long, swimming to shore near the end of our tour. This is where my GoPro's memory card decided to call it a day sooner than I had anticipated. I had a good shot at the baby gator on my second pass by but I didn't realize the memory card was full and sadly I have no video of it. It was otherwise a great tour and can't wait to do it again when I am back in Florida.
I highly recommend paddling this area and taking a guided tour with the fine folks at the Paddling Center in Kissimmee. Check them out below:
The Paddling Center (@paddlingcenter9169)
www.paddlingce...
Location Map: bit.ly/3Ln8oYk
That is an interesting place to go for a paddle!
It was a fun paddle. I'd love to do more like that in Florida. So many waterways to explore.
Looks like fun. I was down in that area in February with the family. I didn't have time to try anything on the water but this looks like an interesting tour. Glad a gator didn't get you!
Hey Dave! It was a fun tour and a good break from the busy amusement parks. The fear of gators kept my wife and kids in the hotel this time. I was quite happy to have a knowledgeable tour guide that explained where the gators hung out and that they pretty much keep to themselves unless you are harassing them or getting in their space. We only saw the baby gator on this day. We were told momma gator was "shy" of people and was below us, keeping warm in the river bottom.
The music is distracting
That looks amazing; thanks for the video. I was wondering if it is safe to paddle board in there?
Yes it is! Paddle boards can be rented out right at the Paddle Center. I recommend taking one of the tours they provide. Check them out at www.paddlingcenter.com/ for more info. Thanks for watching!
I would have told him if it wasnt for those planes he wouldnt be hanging out on his plastic boat lol
I hear ya. I think he was more kidding about the noise of the planes when paddling through a serene cypress forest. I love seeing and hearing those old planes still flying. I live in the area of the Canadian Harvard Association that restores and flies old Harvard trainers. The sound of these aircraft is unmistakable. Check this out if you like that sort of thing... ruclips.net/video/7UtzQFGSdVI/видео.html
Thanks for watching!
An probably speaking GERMAN OR JAPANESE, and doing what he is told.
There’s a museum where those planes you hear are kept and I think you could get a tour I’m not sure
Unfortunately, it looks like the Kissimmee Air Museum was closed in 2021. They must still house them and fly out of the local Kissimmee airport. It's great that they have been preserved and still flying.
Lots of water snakes hanging from the trees over the water when we went ,,, we didn't bother with them
I don't blame you. I'm not very keen on making friends with water snakes either.
This could be a video editing video about how choosing the wrong music can ruin a video.
You aren't the first one to comment on the music in this video. I'll have to take a look at it again and see if I can change it up. Thanks for the constructive criticism!
@@getlostwithjay it's really a beautiful video. Just has the wrong music. Doesn't fit the calming beauty of the setting.
any time someone says "hidden gem" the place gets ruined and overrun!
It’s Kissimmee. It’s already overcrowded here. Shingle creek is on the side of a interstate, most people go to walk the park or kayak.
I hear ya'. Shingle Creek is already a well known paddling spot for locals but I think the guides and Shingle Creek park staff do a great job of keeping this waterway a real gem. Florida is blessed with an abundance of water to paddle.