Ohio
Downtown Columbus - We found a great skyline and the Santa Maria in downtown Columbus. Launch at the convergence of Scioto and Oletangy Rivers at a small hidden boat ramp on W Nationwise Blvd. (Near 400 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215) Check maps and satellite views. No facilities. Not a great launch but close to downtown and free. Kayak east into the Scioto toward downtown Columbus. Very nice skyline. See more pics here - Columbus, OH. - 3.5
Toledo, Maumee River -we launched at the Rossford Marina 300 Hannum Ave, Rossford, OH 43460. There is a restroom facility and plenty of parking. We paddled north west to Toledo.. The trip was great. Very nice rural scenery. We passed one of the largest ever made river going ships, the Willis B. Boyer. It is huge!! We were greeted by a great skyline as we paddled into the Toledo riverfront area. The water was calm the day we went, but this is a pretty big river that has the possibility to get really choppy. There is also barge traffic and other large boats in this area. See more pics here - Toledo, OH. - 4
Sandusky, Cedar Point - launch at Pipe Creek Wildlife Area across from Louie's at 2331 River Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870. No facilities. Crude beach launch. We paddled out to Cedar Point where we could see the roller coasters above the trees. After a couple of hours we couldn't resist the urge to ride one. The water was calm the day we were there but it could get a little choppy through the day and with some increase in boat traffic.. See more pics at - Sandusky, OH. - 3
Cincinnati, OH - launch at 3540 Southside Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45204 There is a fee. Restrooms are available. Plenty of parking. We went turned left going east on the river toward Cinicinati downtown. Most the trip was calm, but getting closer tot he city the water became very choppy. There is a lot of man made shoreline that reflects boat wakes and makes a very irregular chop. See more pics here - Cincinnati, OH. - 2.5
Florida
Sanibel Island - launch at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Center - 900 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957. Great wildlife trip into Tarpon Bay. We paddled across the bay into San Carlos Bay and the Atlantic. Lots of dolphins and maybe a few sharks. In Tarpon Bay we found a nesting tree of pelicans that was so loaded with birds they looked like fruit hanging from the limbs. Tarpon Bay is usually calm, but it can get choppy with rolling waves as you head further into the big water. Make sure you are equipped and experienced before going too far into the Atlantic. See more pics here - Sanibel Island. - 4.5
Myakka Wildlife Refuge - launch at Myakka Outpost, 13207 State Road 72, Florida 34241. There are regular kayak and canoe activities here in spite of the large alligator population. Rental boats are available. Very cool wildlife paddling adventure. Calm water conditions. See more pics here - Myakka Wildlife Refuge. - 3.5
Lemon Bay, Indian Mound Park - launch at 210 Winson Ave, Englewood, FL 34223. Good place to get used to bigger water. The water conditions vary greatly due to weather, so be prepared. We saw a few dolphins and sharks and lots of sea birds. See more pics here - Lemon Bay. 3.5
Boca Grande, Placida Harbor - launch at Eldred's Marina, 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Rotonda West, FL 33947. We paddled around Bird Key and into the Atlantic near Boca Grande. At the entrance to the ocean, Gasparilla Pass, we encounter a large number of big sharks and decided to head back into the harbor along Boca Grande Causeway. While there we were met by several large dolphins playing and jumping, startlingly close to the boats. The Flagship kayaks are 18.5 feet long and these animals must have been 14 feet or more. There are some pics that show it, but they were hard to catch on film. It was downright scary when they brushed against the boat. At one point I felt one brush against my hand as I was looking at another one on the opposite side. Overall, it was thrilling! The water was calm when we were there but the water in this area will vary greatly due to weather conditions. Be prepared. See more pics here - Boca Grande. - 4
New Smyrna Beach , FL - We launched on the west side of the causeway at 170 N Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. (The ramp is on the west side.) We headed north east in the Indian River toward Ponce De Leon Inlet. We took out on the beach for a snack and short break. There were dolphins galore near the inlet from the Atlantic. See more pics at - New Smyrna Beach. - 5
Lake Seminole, Chattahoochee, FL - launch at the campground boat ramp, River Rd, Chattahoochee, FL 32324. We also camped. IT is a scenic wildlife destination with a lot of alligators and birds. At night our camp was raided by several raccoons. The water was calm when we were there. There are facilities that would be common to a campground. See more pics at - Lake Seminole, FL. - 2.5
Lake Talquin, FL - we launched at Pat Thomas Park, 949 Hopkins Landing Rd, Quincy, FL 32351. There were a LOT of alligators. Small alligators gathered around the dock and boat ramp watching the action as we launched. In the cove next to the ramp we heard a dozen or more croaking gators the who;e time we were there. I would stay away from the ramp and dock after dark. This is a nice wildlife paddle. The water was calm when we were there. There was a restroom. See more pics here - Lake Talquin. 2.3.
Shell Point, Ruskin, FL - launch at 3340 W Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570. This is a nice trip to see wildlife both above and below the water. Watch careful for skate and sting ray under your boat in the shallow water near the mouth of the Manatee River. You can see St. Petersburg on the other side of Tamap Bay. Not much parking. Crude launch. Restroom facilities. See more here - Shell Point. 3
St. Petersburg, Spa Beach - launch next to the St. Pete Museum at 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Beach launch. Restroom facilities nearby. Plenty of parking. We went the day of the Indy car race. We could see some of the race from the boat. The water in Tampa Bay can be seriously rough, so be prepared. If the weather is good and the wind calm it is a nice place to paddle. A lot of wildlife including dolphins and sharks. See more pics here - St. Pete. 3
St. Augustine - We launched at St. Augustine Yacht Club at 442 Ocean Vista Ave, St Augustine, FL 32080. We paddled around Salt Run in front of the lighthouse. It was raining that day so we cut our trip short, but this is a good place to visit and kayak. See pics of kayaking around Florida here - Florida. 3
North Carolina
Manteo, NC - Roanoke Island - We launched at a small ramp on the corner of Croatan Ave and Ananias Dare St. (400). There is parking for about 15 vehicles. There are no other facilities. We paddled around Roanoke Festival Island and saw the Elizabeth II. We also paddled across Shallowbag Bay and headed toward Fort Raleigh in Roanoke Sound. This is a good place to go when the water is calm, but it can get rough when you get away from the Manteo Island. See more pics here - Manteo Island, NC - 4
New River, NC - launch at 198 Riverview St, Jacksonville, NC 28540. There is only parking for a few vehicles with no facilities. There are a lot of alligators in the area and other wildlife. A nice place to paddle if you are in the area. See more pics here - New River. - 2.5
Kitty Hawk - we launched at 4231 Bob Perry Rd Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. There were no facilities other than a boat ramp. Follow the canals to Kitty Hawk Bay. Check the map and maybe print it. The water is calm in the canals and gets a little choppy in Kitty Hawk Bay. Watch for alligators along the banks in the canals. Beware of low hanging limbs and snakes that could be in them. A good wildlife trip. Go see the Wright Brothers Museum at Kitty Hawk when you're done. On the way home we passed the home of "Grave Digger" and couldn't resist the chance to take a few pics. See more here - Kitty Hawk. - 2.5.
More to come