Is 3000 miles too far to drive for a canoe?

Originally I had planned to do this trip next year, but my summer vacation plans were cancelled for this year. I left South Florida on Thursday night and made it up to Saratoga Springs, NY on Saturday morning. I checked out a few canoe outfitters and looked at their stock of solo canoes (Northstar, Swift, and Wenonah). I made it to my appointment at Hornbeck Boats in Olmstedvill, NY by noon. Spent some time chatting with Josh and Pete about all sorts of stuff... This is really a very friendly business!

The property is on an old farm land with several rustic wooden buildings comprising the retail store, canoe fabrication, and storage. I was able to test out a 12,13, and 14ft Classic model as well as a 13ft New Tricks model. Overall I was surprised by the responsiveness and tracking ability of all the models. After about an hour on the water with all the boats I decided on a 13ft Classic. Since I was going to be using this boat primarily for exploring, photography, and overnight camping... I decided the initial stability and extra cargo capacity of the Classic was more important than the zippyness of the New Tricks.

While Josh strapped my new boat to the roof of my van, Pete drew me a map of how to get to a nearby lake for an afternoon paddle. I made it to 13th Lake where I fully enjoyed my new boat. After a short paddle i headed to Lake George, NY and found a nice little cottage to rent for the night. The following morning I paid $10 to launch at a private boat club on the Lake George Dunham Bay Marsh. The weather was cool and foggy, but plenty of birds singing as I meandered down the winding waterway. This was a perfect morning paddle.

Then I headed to Virginia and found a beautiful campsite on the banks of the Shenandoah River. A group that had reserved a site for the week graciously added me to their reservation. As much as I wanted to paddle the next morning, I knew it would delay my progress too much. So I found a state park in South Carolina that had space and got back on the road.

I made it to Sadlers Creek State Park late in the afternoon and set up camp right on the Savannah River. This is a beautiful state park right on the SC/Georgia border. It sticks out into the Savannah River like a hand, almost completely surrounded by water. Woke up early for a sunrise paddle and then came back for breakfast at camp. Chatted with a neighbor in an RV for a bit and then headed back to Florida.

I originally planned to camp at Bluff Landing near Alexander Springs, but it appeared to still be closed. After some internet searching I found a canoe launch site that also had camping. I made it to the Davenport Landing Trailhead in the Ocala National Forest just before dark. I had the campsite all to myself, except for a hungry horde of mosquitoes. Luckily I was well protected in my van with a Slumberjack Roadhouse Screen Tarp. After a hot night sleep I woke up for a morning paddle on the Ocklawaha River to the Rodman Reservoir. This was a beautiful black water paddle up the main waterway. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to explore the narrower paddle only side trails.

After the paddle i packed up camp and headed back home to south Florida. Did I really just drive 3,000 miles for a canoe? Nope... I did it for the adventure of course.