Will we reach civilization again?

We planned our trip for three weeks. Everything was packed and ready to go. Meds, cell phone, wallet, all packed in a plastic zip-lock bag, water and healthy snacks packed in a knapsack. We had one truck parked at the end of the run with dry towels and clothes for after the trip. The other truck was loaded with kayaks, paddles and life vests and headed for the start of the run. The morning was cool, air smelled fresh and dewy and we all felt the zing of excitement as we stood poised next to our vessels on the boardwalk waiting to load into the cool, clear water of Juniper run.

Okay, it wasn’t that romantic. There were lots of eager kayakers/canoers crammed together on a boardwalk that was created without much thought to the traffic that packed it. There were people trundling over sized canoes on makeshift carts going towards the water and people coming from the water after unloading their vessels returning the carts for others to use at the beginning of the boardwalk. We all were pushed and shoved backwards and forward trying to reach the small extended areas of the boardwalk that allowed for two-way traffic. People were already sweaty and smelly from the frustration.

The park ranger, aka: Sergeant Grouchy was barking orders to everyone and confusing the line-up of canoes that were meant to be launched as a group and he didn’t want any argument. The river goers tried to cooperate with each other when he wasn’t paying attention. Finally, puddles of sweat and bruised toes later, we were on the river. It wasn’t peaceful either, there were experts and novices alike crowded onto a run that should have been rated at least Intermediate. Juniper only has one section of small rapids, but the obstructions are numerous. There wasn’t much clue to the treacherous path we were embarking on based on literature supplied by the park.

After playing bumper boats for fifteen or so minutes, traffic began to thin. One curve after the other awaited us coupled with low hanging trees, and  barely submerged logs that had fallen into the river. The overhanging trees and branches concerned me because of the reputation snakes have for climbing up them and then falling into passing boats. I don't like snakes.

Our daughters were with us and I didn't want to freak them out so I kept the fear of snakes to myself and my eyes wide open. About half way through the run or about 2 and 1/2 hours in, we rounded a right curve then an immediate left curve with chest-high overhanging branches. The current was moving swiftly and I'm trying to watch for snakes, trying to make sure my daughters are still okay and trying to help my husband navigate the sharp turns while avoiding as much tree limb as possible, then it happens, I look up at the next tree rushing towards us and there nestled just above our heads is a huge water moccasin. I stick out my paddle to snag the shore and stop our rush ahead, forcing the canoe with our daughters and the other kayak in our party to stop.

They wonder what is going on until I point out what is sitting just at the end of my extended paddle. We can all see the snake clearly. It's eyes are wide open. We can even see the bony ridge above the snake's eye determining that we are indeed dealing with a venomous moccasin versus the harmless water snake. It's way too close for me. The girls are hollering for me to move my paddle, but I tell them to go on under the branch giving the snaky part as much wide berth as possible.  If the snake starts to move, I plan on bashing it with the flat end of my paddle. Probably won't kill it, but it won't do it any good either and should make it decide not to fall into any of our boats, at least that's what I hope!

We all clear the snake safely, but now I am so ready to be done with this trip and safely back in the truck on the way home. I love time spent with my family, but we're all tired, hot, grouchy and now afraid the next snake or gator encounter won't go as well as the first.

We are the lead kayak and a few twists and turns later, I see what looks like rapids ahead. I am thinking really, no one warned us about rapids. Okay to those of you used to white water stuff, these were kind of tame, but still, we are novices. Hubby and I maneuvered through safely shooting out the end of the rapids. Next, comes our son-in-law in a single kayak followed closely by both of our daughters in a tin can canoe.

The water is still rushing us forward and we've gone partially around another curve before I can snag a (snakeless) branch to hold us still while waiting on the rest of our party. All of a sudden, we hear a blood-curdling scream which I know is my oldest daughter. Then paddles and some debris comes floating by our kayak. We are able to grab all but one paddle which was retrieved later by a very kind kayaker.

I'm all panicked knowing my daughters are in the river so like any mother, I start frantically paddling to get back to them against the current. Our son-in-law is trying to calm down his wife, my oldest, as she is tangled in underwater logs and still screaming. Need I say that she hates black water with icky, slimy unseen things as much as I do. The youngest is swimming towards us to get to shallower water.

She's very upset because she did not put her cell phone in the plastic bag opting instead for her shorts pocket. The cell phone is still drowned on the bottom of the run or floating around in a gator's belly. My husband jumps in to help our son-in-law grab our other daughter and then to haul a now water-logged canoe to shallower water. It took all the strength they could muster to empty the canoe and make it able to float. Finally, we're underway again with four very wet, unhappy, angry people.

We kept on for another 2 and 1/2 hours without any further mishaps or snake sightings and arrived safely, more hot, more tired and more grouchy than at the half way point, but we were very glad to be out of the water and on dry land again.

I was annoyed at the boy scout leader that was letting ten year old boys play in the river at the exit ramp. I guess he didn't understand the big signs that said "Danger, no swimming, or wading due to strong currents and the other sign that read, "Beware of Alligators. I guess he didn't know what the picture of the animal on the sign was or maybe he didn't take the responsibility of someone else's children seriously. I don't know, but he also didn't listen to the news reports about the alligator attack that occurred at this same exact site the previous year.

I've lived in Florida all my life, but I still don't like some of our wildlife and I do try to give them the respect they deserve and demand. I said a little prayer that afternoon, thanking God for getting us back safely and another for the guardian angels over all those little boys to be ever so more alert that day and keep them safe.

Until next time, wishing you a safe ride!