Okefenokee Swamp _ 5 day paddle

Page 3

   Mac on Big Water Lake        

 We went back to Big Water lake and turned south again. That also was a superb paddle all the way down to where we turned east into the Floyd's Island canal.

This is well marked with signage.  Wonderful paddling again on the lake.  By the way, we took the long way around to Floyd's Island. The normal route is east right beside the shelter,  through Floyd's Prairie . . .  Luckily, Judy at Admin. had warned us ahead of time not to take that route.  It was so shallow a group before us had taken  six hours to go only two miles on that route.

A short time into that canal, it began to get very shallow but still not too bad. We seemed to have paddled that canal for about 4 miles.

   We were really stumped when we came to the end of the canal, and could not see any sign of a trail -- not even some sort of marker. Had we taken a wrong turn somewhere?

The guys were about to turn around and back track when I asked them to wait . . .  I wanted to go scout the area . . .  After a few minutes of woods, cypress knees and undergrowth,  I spotted the roof of the house back in the trees and yelled back to them. They all got out and after more scouting, we finally discovered the trail up to the house. It was about 100 yards farther from where we had pulled out.

   One of our guys had boots and determined that the almost dry small creek ( only about one or two inches or so of water ) had a hard bottom.

   We had to unload all our gear and carry it through woods carpeted with downed trees and cypress knees, up to the trail head,

     while he towed each canoe up the creek by rope.

    This is where the trail would have normally ended when there was a normal water level.

     (Yes, I know, this is a dupe photo)     To again show the little island.
I would suggest . . . there is a strong need for a sign here.

If there had been some sort of sign at the point where we ran out of canal . . .  it would have quickly solved the problem and let us know we were in the right place. (Note - There is a tiny sand island in the center of that canal . . .  where we pulled out) the tree on that small island would be a perfect place for that sign. I understand from Judy that one party before us awhile back, had turned around and went back , because they, like us, –  thought they were at a dead end and could go no farther. Possibly was the group that had so much trouble getting through Floyd's Prairie. Maybe not! (We later surmised that they must have turned around and came out, since no one had registered at the house log since December 9th.)

    Floyd's Island . . .  Note the cart on left.    

Great night! We sure enjoyed our stay here. However, we noted there was a dense population of mice, so two of our guys put up their tents inside the house.

       The mice have really been active. They have eaten their little holes in the bottom of the doors, and boxes, etc. . . .  and left their droppings on all the shelving. Someone ahead of us had left canned goods on the shelves, and the mice had eaten several of the labels off the cans. There were at least a dozen little piles of paper everywhere which appeared to be their nests. Did not see a single cockroach and other than the normal sand and dust, the house seemed to be in good shape. I was amazed that a house so old . . .  and closed up for so long . . .  had no odor of mold or mildew. House is in great shape for being so old.
We had a hard time priming the old well pump . . . but finally got it to work . . .  however, it was very muddy . . .  so we let that go. We had wanted well water for washing dishes, etc.

                                                                       

  We were visited by 4 grandpa size ‘coons about dark while we were having supper outside on the picnic table. They walked right up to within a few feet of us and seemed to have no fear of us. After shooing them away several times, they did not come back until after we went to bed. However, we had been warned ahead of time that they were really bad here so we took all precautions and put away all foods. Except for one thing. Old John had brought a box of fishing worms with him and forgot to take that inside. The coons made short work of them during the night. Made an awful mess on the porch where he had left them.

    After a fire inside the steel fire ring, a few cold beverages to relax, and the normal sea stories, we hit the sack fairly early.  It had been a hard but enjoyable day. We had a good nights sleep and were comfortable. (temperature)  By the way, I should mention that there is a good outhouse . . . but it is halfway between the house and the put-in. The launch area is about 1000 feet east of the house on a nice clean trail . . . mostly of pine needles and leaves.

   Since the pine needles and leaves were very slick, a couple of us opted to drag our canoes rather than put them on the cart. Which brings me to another item I almost forgot. There is a heavy (about 4'X5') steel cart that you can use to transport your gear to the house and to the launch area.   Note it on the left in the photo of the house.

     Next morning, no ham and eggs but Chuck made his usual Hungry Jack hot cakes and hot coffee so we ate well and we were on the water about 9:30.

    The trails on Floyd's Island are wide and clean. About 1000' from the house to the east side put in.

  East side of Floyd's was solid "Peanut Butter" . . . this is after the other three had blazed a path for me.     The canal . . . right where we put in, was deep, nice and clean. BUT . . . only about 100 feet farther  the canal is heavily clogged with leaves. So much so, they have formed little floating islands of mud (peat?) and leaves, that almost fill the canal side to side. The result is that one has to pole the sides and rock their canoe side to side . . . pushing like the dickens to get only a few feet at a time. Judy at Admin. had warned us that we would probably hit "Peanut Butter" here and she was 'right on' in her description. It was that way about 40% of that canal which I believe was about two miles long.

  Same canal about 5 city blocks later. Note how shallow the water is. You can see bottom.

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